looks like I have to replace what must be the old original air bags in my Gillig suspension. Has anyone done this job themselves? Just curious as to how complicated and expensive it might be? I'll also check my manual to see if there is any help in there. thanks

My Gillig (1995) chassis manual has 4 pages that discuss the suspension components. Either Neway or Ridewell were options and both are illustrated, but only a bit. I previously scanned my manuals so I would have them for reference on my laptop. I can send you the 4 .jpg files of those pages if you like.

Mike

I have replaced many airbags before. I can't speak about doing it in a Barth but for most RV's it's usually pretty straight forward.

Use your levelers and jack up the coach. I recommend that you don't allow the rear wheel to leave the ground, just to the point of the rear tires getting ready to leave the ground and no more. Safety dictates that you install a jackstand under the frame.

Remove the height control arm at the axle and place the arm down - remove the airline at the bag - remove the upper and lower bolts. At this point the bag should just about fall out. Sometimes you'll have to put a prybar in to nudge it out.

Most coaches have an over travel strap, these are usually wrapped around the shocks and if so then you'll have plenty of room. This keeps the axle from pulling your shocks apart or over-extending your airbags to the point of splitting them from the lower mount.

Installation: I install the upper bolts first, then I install the airline. At this point I use the height control adjusting arm (push up) and allow air to refill the bag slowly. This stretches out the bag and you guide the lower bolts into place. Tighten up the bag and reinstall the height control arm and you're done.

Keep in mind that the airbags don't get air when your coach is raised. You're not going to keep pumping air into them, you will only use the arm to stretch the bag. No more air psi should be used than what is necessary to stretch out the bags! After the bag is stretch place the linkage for the height control arm back down and make sure it doesn't go up again until you're ready to re-attach it.

Just like a headlight: Replace only one and you'll be doing the other one shortly anyway. Unlike a headlight: It will cost you a lot more out on the road than just money, so do both now.

thanks guys, job doesn't sound too difficult...now I just have to find where to buy the air springs..probably try my favorite truck part supplier and also look online.

Call Gillig and give them your VIN. They have everything you need.
Tom
93 Regency 3208T, 300 HP Allison

Thanks Bill Ny. I will get both rear bags given your experience.

Tom Taylor
94 Barth Breakaway XL


About 500 for a pair

I have a 1998 38ft Regency on a Spartan Chassis. Is the replacement as straight forward as for the Gillig?

Back in my busing days I changed a number of air bags. There are basicly two types of bags. Rolling lobe and the one that looks like two donuts.

The donut type usually were mounted on air beams. This is where the beam is also an air chamber. Often the older buses would have the air chambers rusted thru. The air chamber gave a softer ride due to the increased amount of air.

The rolling lobe has a cone that the bag rolls down over. This is the most common with trucks.

Anyway I blocked the chassis and then drained all the air from the system. Next off come the wheel(s). In front of you is the bag. At his point simply remove the bag and replace.

This is normally an easy job. However, if rusted can be a pain in the a** to remove. If you have rusted air beams you have my sympathy.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill N.Y.:
I have replaced many airbags before. I can't speak about doing it in a Barth but for most RV's it's usually pretty straight forward.

Well, I can speak to this now - Have done both fronts and one rear. The person I bought my Regis from must have done the other rear one recently.

quote:

Originally posted by Lance Walton:
I have a 1998 38ft Regency on a Spartan Chassis. Is the replacement as straight forward as for the Gillig?

Mine is a Spartan. Front wheels must be removed to do them. Rear wheels can be done without removing the wheels.

I could not source the front airbags anywhere for any price. Although listed on several sites as being available, none could be had. Surprisingly, Spartan had the front ones in stock and it was cheaper than the ones that were listed, but not available anywhere else.

I asked how many they had in stock and was told I was buying the last 2. Perhaps they've reordered? There were other bags that were close in dimensions to the OEM bag, but thankfully I didn't have to go that route.

old thread but partially answers my questions on AB replacement..

Does anyone have the part number and or source for a set, both fore and aft.. Is this a standard item for truck applications or specific to the Gillig / Neway application..?

holy cow BatMan... and do I read thats only for 2, not 4...? almost $5K..




anyone else care to chime in..

Part numbers as taken from the invoice.

2 FAW013589105 AIR BAG $354.70

2 AS8337 AIR BAG $413.34

You asked for part numbers. I posted the invoice incase any one else was in question about some of the Gillig bushings. The suspension rebuild was my choice and was just over 6 coach bucks ($6,000)

---

I had the suspension rebuilt for peace of mind. The rubber bushings were 24 years old at that time.

Note also that there also Gates belts were replaced. I have since replaced the belts with Thermoid belts.

I queried Gillig and this is what I received back this A.M. :

"... Here are the GILLIG part numbers. The front bag (53-14006-002) is a superseded part, the original had a aluminum base plate, the updated has a composite base plate. Same fit form and function.

The rear bag has also been superseded, same fit form and function..."


gillig part gif..

Old Air Bag. The yellow cylinder is a porta power Jack to support the coach while replacing the air bag. Porta power jacks will work horizontally or vertically.