Community Forums

deandec · 05-21-2022, 07:02 PM

I sense that many of the Air Spring (bag) failures occur after replacing the old bags.

Has anyone had their Country Coach Original Air Spring fail?

birdhunter · 05-22-2022, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec

I sense that many of the Air Spring (bag) failures occur after replacing the old bags.

Has anyone had their Country Coach Original Air Spring fail?

All the bags on my 02 Magna have been replaced. A front original Goodyear bag blew up while parked about 5 years ago and both were replaced with Firestones. Last year it was discovered that all the original drive and tag bags were badly cracked and probably leaking slightly. They were replaced with Firestones, no problems so far.

DJ55 · 05-22-2022, 02:00 PM

My originals didn't, but they had cracks that didn't instill continued confidence. I think many of the failures with replacements stem from getting incorrect replacement bags or not beefing up the bag support bracket when the replacements have plastic cones.

dfuelman · 05-22-2022, 03:06 PM

The bags that I have seen fail normally are bags with composite bases, which require a metal plate to help spread the load under the bag. Many installers are unaware of this needed upgrade and leave out the plate, causing the failure.

The plates are available commercially, or very easy to make, as they are nothing more than a round disk slightly larger that the base of the bag itself that the bag sits on. 1/4" plate is all that is needed.

Ozzsp250 · 05-24-2022, 12:53 PM

What I don't understand is I replaced by original bags with new items and both had composite bases. The originals lasted 20 years and never failed one of two new rears failed in 100 miles of driving. both mounted on same factory mount. I have ordered two new air bags with aluminum bases as I don't want a repeat. I'll try and get a couple of 1/4" thick 6" or greater dia mounting plates too.

DJ55 · 05-24-2022, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ozzsp250

What I don't understand is I replaced by original bags with new items and both had composite bases. The originals lasted 20 years and never failed one of two new rears failed in 100 miles of driving. both mounted on same factory mount. I have ordered two new air bags with aluminum bases as I don't want a repeat. I'll try and get a couple of 1/4" thick 6" or greater dia mounting plates too.

You probably don't need the additional mounting plate if your new bags have metal bases, as that's what CC originally designed the mounting to support. If someone does want or need the additional steel mounting plate, and they're using bags with plastic cones (as my front ones are), on my coach each one needed to be 10 inches diameter to properly support the outer rim of the plastic cone. I had them cut for me at an industrial metal supply shop and then the plates were welded on top of CC's original flat bar mount.

B Bob · 05-24-2022, 10:11 PM

I blew a passenger side tag air bag about two years ago. I managed to get home with it leaking by keeping the revs up on the engine until I got it to my regular repair shop. I sold the coach a few months ago and the new owner replaced all the air bags.

deandec · 05-25-2022, 09:15 PM

If my count of the replies is correct, only one original air bag failed.

brwerder · 05-31-2022, 02:14 PM

I have a 1991 Affinity and I had one of the original rear air bags blow out while parked and raised high about 10 years ago. I replaced that back one with an original Firestone bag. The other side rear started leaking slightly the next year and replaced it with another Firestone bag. I have kept a spare bag for the front the last 10 years and I actually just used it and purchased another new one and replaced both front bags a couple weeks ago. Both front were not leaking but had pealing of the outer covers and cracked at the top. I would highly recommend using the Firestone bags, their quality seems to very high. I will be watching for good buys in the coming months to pick up new spare bags for both the front and rear.

Aroadracer · 06-01-2022, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec

I sense that many of the Air Spring (bag) failures occur after replacing the old bags.

Has anyone had their Country Coach Original Air Spring fail?

Dean, two years ago, I found a cut on one of my original front air bags (‘99 Affinity) that was leaking slightly. I replaced that bag myself and in doing so, frond multiple air leaks at various fittings in the system which I resealed. The front bags were severely oxidized on the outside but when I cut the bad one open, it looked like new on the inside. Last year I replaced the other three fronts anyway.
The rears are also original and not as badly oxidized. They also look to be much more difficult to replace with the rear wheels in place. I’m hoping to address this this winter. Jim