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01-05-2016, 12:39 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 8
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'87 Itasca 37RQ, P30 Chassis, Air Suspension Question
Hi all,
One thing I didn't really notice about this motorhome until I saw a brochure was that mine appears to be "bottomed out". It says that the rear is a multi-leaf spring, with air bag assist, and a torsion bar rear tag axle.
Evidently, my air suspension is kaput. I would venture a guess to say that the compressor is definitely bad, as it does not air up, nor do I hear a compressor running, and the air bags themselves are likely worn out as well. I have 42,000 miles on the coach, but 30 years is too much to ask for rubber under pressure. If they were good, I'd be very surprised.
Can anyone tell me where the compressor, or a fill valve is located? I'd like to see if the system will air up at all before I go about replacing parts. I see the massive air tank forward of the right drive axle, but I'm not seeing a compressor. The front is air suspension assist as well, however from what I have been gathering, there are separate manual fill valves for these located somewhere. Any help? I'm not against scrounging around myself and looking for them, but if anyone knows, and can save me a lot of time on the ground at 22* F, I would be ever go grateful.
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01-05-2016, 08:15 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 2,514
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I have a 95 brave on the P30 chassis, and do NOT have a compressor, but my fill valves for the rear are inside the passenger side wheel well
On the front airbags, the fill valve is on the bottom of the bag, which is inside the coil spring
The bags are inexpensive, I have replaced the front, I believe they were about $100
__________________
2005 Tiffin Allegro Bay 37DB
W22 Workhorse Chassis 8.1 Flat Towing a 82 Jeep CJ7
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01-06-2016, 04:18 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Middletown, Ohio
Posts: 74
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air tank
I have a 89 Elandan 37' with Tag. My air tank is located behind the axel and it has a port on the tank to fill if the compressor is not working. My compressor is under my bathroom sink.
The tank in front of my axel is my propane tank.
I have air bags in the front coils and I have extension to fill them up under the hood mounted on the crossmember where the hood latch is.
I also have a small compressor and air tank mounted under the hood that is for the air horns. I have a adaptor on the tank where i can use to fill the front air bags.
Hope it helps.
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01-07-2016, 11:07 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 8
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Thank you so much!
Whereabout is the manual fill port located? Will it air up the shocks as the tank pressurizes?
Is it under the sink itself inside the cabin, or underneath the chassis, below where the sink is located?
Thank you so much! These are beautiful motorhomes, I am really looking forward to using this one.
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01-08-2016, 01:17 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sweden
Posts: 375
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I also have a 1989 Elandan 37ft. The fill port for the rear suspension is located by the compressor under the sink in the bathroom. Remove the bottom shelf in the cabinet below the sink to get at it. It uses a regular tire chuck to fill the system.
The way the system works is that the compressor fills the tank just in back of the axle. The compressor operates on 12v only when the ignition is on, and shuts off when the system reaches max pressure. From the tank there are air lines which go out to the axle sides. Before each air spring is a valve that regulates the pressure in the air spring based on the suspension level. If the suspension is low it adds air, and if the suspension is high it lets air out. The air suspension leveling does not require the ignition to be on.
If you pressurize the system and the suspension does not rise, then you need to check the valves by the wheels to see if they are operating correctly or listen for a leak by the air spring.
Maintenance wise, there is a drain valve on the bottom of the tank which will let the water out of the tank. Compressed air systems have a tendency to collect water and the tanks will rust with pin holes. They don't burst, they just leak air and the compressor will burn out from continual operation.
Hopes this helps.
Erik
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01-10-2016, 01:11 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 8
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Thank you for your reply as well. Evidently mine does not have a fill port under the kitchen sink, as I cannot find one. I can't see one around the rear wheels, or on the tank itself either. Would it be too much to ask you for a photo, just I can confirm I'm not missing g something?
My air springs were replaced about twelve years ago, and look like new under the vehicle, actually. My compressor is burnt up, however. I have 13.8V going in, and there's no sign of life. I tapped it with a hammer a few times and heard it trying to run, followed by a nice burning electrical smell and a few wisps of smoke.
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01-11-2016, 05:35 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 8
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Hi all,
The good news is that the air ride system has no leaks!
I bypassed the compressor and fitted my own manual air valve in the line, pumped about 90 PSI on the tank, and both bags aired up and the back of the RV rose like it should.
My issue now lies with the metal beam the air springs are attached to. Apparently, this bar has been tilted forwards at some point, causing the angle the base is pointed and the angle the air spring is pointed to be almost a right angle. This puts a lot of stress on the air bladder and is also causing the backside of it to rub the air tank. Hopefully when I take the wheels off at some point, I can figure out how I am going to fix this. Not sure how the beam got angled the way it did. It's not actually bent or damaged from what I can tell, it just looks to be piloted too far in one direction.
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01-13-2016, 03:11 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sweden
Posts: 375
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The bar the air springs attach to at the bottom is held on by one big bolt going through a bushing on each side if I remember right. It does hang rather low and somebody might have backed into something with it. If it lifts without straightening itself out, I would check the screws/bushings for rust or seizing. You don't need to take the wheels of to check. Look between the rear and tag axles, and you can see where the bar is attached.
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01-13-2016, 03:15 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Sweden
Posts: 375
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Great news that you don't have a leak in the system, BTW, and that the system levels out correctly. I had an air spring rub on a BMW, and it didn't take long before the bag burst.
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