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rjreiffer · 06-16-2019, 12:31 PM

Hello all,

We have a 98 Georgie Boy - 31ft and it needed to have the shocks and the air bags replaced. So a couple of tips:

In many of the videos and instructions you will see that they use a utility knife to cut the old air bag out. We did that on the first one and while it went ok it took some time so on the second one I used my Ridgid sawzall with a long blade (of course watching where I cut!) and it took 1/2 the time!

Then the next challenge is putting the new air bags back in. We used a heat gun to get the air bag soft concentrating on the ends where the rubber is the thickest. We first rolled up the air bag from top to bottom to exhaust the air in it and then put the cap on the end. Finally we rolled the air bag like a hot dog bun which allowed us to make it even smaller in diameter which made it easier to get in the hole.

We were able to wedge the top plate in after but if you have double sided tape you can stick the top plate in before putting the bag in. For the bottom plate we simply cut a single slit across the plate (only one side so it looks like a lock washer) and then we were able to slide it in the hole as well.

Now this is how we did it but you choose! Good luck!

Mudfrog · 06-16-2019, 03:29 PM

I replaced ours a few years ago using a similar procedure. What helped make it easier was to use 5 or 6 wire ties to hold the tight hot dog shape. As I pushed the bag into the hole, I snipped and removed each tie right before it entered the hole.

I've read on here where some used a vacuum pump to remove the air from the bag. This is something I'll definitely look into if I ever have to do it again.

rjreiffer · 06-16-2019, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudfrog

I replaced ours a few years ago using a similar procedure. What helped make it easier was to use 5 or 6 wire ties to hold the tight hot dog shape. As I pushed the bag into the hole, I snipped and removed each tie right before it entered the hole.

I've read on here where some used a vacuum pump to remove the air from the bag. This is something I'll definitely look into if I ever have to do it again.

You are right, I used heavy duty zip ties. If I would have had access to a vacuum pump that also would have made it easier! Thanks