Quote:
Originally Posted by jd956jd956
Thank you MackWrench for the post! Did you make the new required plate or purchase it? If made it, how thick and type of material? Also, what commentary would you offer regarding how to overcome the challenges of changing the front air springs? Thank you from a '97 Eagle owner...
|
I made the plate. I used flat steel I had left from another project. It's 1/8" thick, 10" in diameter with one 1/2" hole drilled in center.
If you don't have a cutting torch or plasma cutter you should be able to get any local welding shop to whip 2 of them up for ya.
The front air bags were overall just a pain in the butt. The top retaining nuts are difficult to access with any air tools and were monster tight. I was able to bust them loose with a long pull handle. It would have been an easier job if tire was removed, but I did it with tires on and only changed one side at the time. You'd also be better to spray wd-40 or something on upper mounting nuts a few days in advance.....
Before starting, I started engine, built up air psi and with coach sitting on full air bags I measured ride height. I just measure the distance from the frame rail to the ground under the front axle. That's only for reference and not the correct procedure for setting ride height, only to give me something to compare it to when I get done.
Feel free to use as many adjectives you may need to complete job.
1. Using coach Jack I raised coach until front tires were off ground about 2"
2. Put a 10 ton Jack stand under the bracket that the tie rods pivot from, but for safety only, I left coach weight on Jack.
3. Turn steering wheel sharp to allow me to slide behind tire into area of air spring
4. Remove air supply line to top of bag with 5/8" wrench, use same wrench to remove 45 degree fitting air line was attached to.
5. Using a deep 15/16" socket and long pull handle loosen nut that threads down air inlet ( where you just removed air line)
6. Using 3/4" socket remove other top retaining nut located just behind the one just removed.
7. Remove 3 lower bolts that attach air bag to lower control arm using 3/4" socket
8. Using a long pry bar (I have a 36") pry air bag between upper mount until studs are no longer in upper mount, air bag will then slide out rear of suspension.
When installing new bag, be sure to start both upper nuts and lower bolts loosely before tighting anything. It'll be necessary to pry air big base around a bit to get all 3 lower bolts started.
Check ride height after all bags have been replaced with measurement taken before. If same, rock on, if needed do search here for ride height procedure.
Take some pics! I didn't take time to get any pics of front bag replacement.
Linear Mode
