Older DP - When do you change out your Air Bags?

[deryckj]

I was concerned due to cracks in all the air bags. That and they were almost 20 years old. Everything wears out.

Did mine myself, was challenging but doable.

[Tha_Rooster]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

My air springs (air bags fit inside a coil spring) still appear like new. I had them inspected by a Freightliner shop that is also a Spartan authorized service center. I was told 3 years ago not to be concerned, they are in great shape.




I understand that flaw has been rectified, now they have a metal support plate instead of plastic.

According to Spartan that problem was fixed back before my 2007 which came with plastic . I changed mine last year which still have plastic and no metal plates.

[Argosy]

Originally Posted by NHRA225

1992 American- original Air Bags- Minor Checking on the surface- No leaks @ 238 K Miles- Why are there so many Air Bag changes on here ?

I changed mine at 104,000 miles, the chassis is a 1992. They had a lot of checking and a lot of cord hanging out, it was also beginning to fail. Once that happens there's not much left of an air spring.

I couldn't see running them to failure then paying a mechanic to learn the nuances of a Gillig chassis. This is my first one and I've learned a lot. Mainly it reminds me there's a world of difference between truck chassis builders who design for ease of maintenance and transit bus chassis builders who design to satisfy government regulations.