Installing Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags on Ford F53 Chassis

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Installing Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags on Ford F53 Chassis

Рет қаралды 32,014

Күн бұрын

The owner of this 2008 Damon Daybreak has been driving around with a leaning motor home ever since they bought it.
This is not an uncommon problem, generally caused by poor weight management from the manufacturer. I could not see any suspension problems and suggested that sometimes air bags help.
So follow me as I install a set of Firestone 2170 Ride Rite Air Springs on a 2008 Ford F53 chassis.

Пікірлер: 65

@aaronschoessow2770 3 ай бұрын

This should make you feel good, I'm doing this tomorrow, for the second time ever, I did it 30 years ago, when I worked for a Winnebago dealership. Today I've been doing RV service for 32 years. Thanks for the refresher.

@pattymck7267 4 жыл бұрын

Very interesting. Never in my life will I install something like this, but loved watching your process. Thanks

@AZExpert 4 жыл бұрын

thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

@airhornistheone4915 2 жыл бұрын

I'm still a Fan and Hope you make as much as you are worth

@AZExpert 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@petekane2501 3 жыл бұрын

Big time saver not having to remove tires. Good review of the whole process

@AZExpert 3 жыл бұрын

thank you, I was surprised it worked too

@robertthompson6958 4 жыл бұрын

Lots of variety on your channel. I didn’t know this solution was possible. Enjoyed this!

@AZExpert 4 жыл бұрын

I also enjoy the variety of work. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!

@airhornistheone4915 2 жыл бұрын

My Freelander came with them already installed and I used them to level out for driving ...They do the job

@AZExpert 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome

@philw7174 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video, good to know. Happy trails!

@AZExpert 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Phil!

@joshsalazar9959 3 жыл бұрын

Just helped me decide to go ahead with the purchase of the same set up. Thanks for posting and sharing

@AZExpert 3 жыл бұрын

good luck! I hope it helps

@joshsalazar9959 3 жыл бұрын

@@AZExpert By chance do recall how much movement the bags moved the motorhome? I have a 37 Damon Challenger it leans 2 1/2" to the passenger side, once I installed the bags put 95 psi in the low side and it moved an inch. Doesn't appear that it will go anymore.

@mrlarrybobjr 3 жыл бұрын

@@joshsalazar9959 did you get the exact same kit I think they have different sizes. He went from 17" to about 19-1/4" so about 2-1/4 inches at 90 psi then he let a little air out. So 80-85 psi. Hmmmmm this one he said was 23000 gross vehicle weight, what’s yours?

@joshsalazar9959 3 жыл бұрын

22000 pounds coaches are same mfg. thanks for the feed back. I did get the same kit. I had replaced the front leaf, shocks and steering stabilizer thinking failure. Replaced rear shocks thinking factory where bad. mines a 37'. raised 1 1/4". Called a hand full of shops anout a new leaf or a added leaf with no luck. Better than it was I guess

@patb9375 4 жыл бұрын

Did you jack the rig up at all? The air bags should be mounted with the rig jacked up so the air bag is not full extended at the normal ride height.

@mrlarrybobjr 3 жыл бұрын

Considering the cost and work of leaf springs, also not knowing exactly how many and strength I would need, this seems like a reasonable investment. I feel like my rear end is really sagging. It’s a Chevy van 30. 24foot long. I think it sticks out 10 feet past the axle on rear. Seems like it should do wheelies. When inside rv it seems level but I can tell the old girl is way overloaded like you mentioned. Gross vehicle weight is 10,500 and I am normally at minimum 9,600 lbs. that’s a big constant load on a 1ton dually van. So thanks for the video! I’m gonna try them out.

@AZExpert 3 жыл бұрын

Good luck, it should be easier than leaf springs for sure.

@AustinCoulson 4 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you put 30psi in the low side. I was wondering if you were gonna do that. I'd hate to see one side at 90 and one at zero. I don't have any science at all to back up that statement, it just "feels" wrong. Also, my son saw the blooper at the end when the part dropped and said "uhhh, why does everything ALWAYS roll under the cars"!? As you can imagine, we get a lot of soccer balls stuck under our cars over here.

@AZExpert 4 жыл бұрын

no it's wrong for sure, I don't have science either just the very bad instructions lol. Firestone recommends at least 20psi in a bag at all times. I'm still unconvinced that 90/30 split seems reasonable but I can say the owner said it was so noticeable he doesn't hate driving the motorhome anymore. I guess he was thinking of trading out due to the lean. Thanks!

@MLATX512 3 жыл бұрын

You don't want to ride with them empty because it can crack the sides and then they'll leak. Especially true for older air bags.

@teeceedeecee 2 жыл бұрын

My 1999 Hurricane (Four Winds/Thor) has body mounts that would get in the way of the location of the rear airbag brackets. Not sure how many models use Thor's "isolated floor" design but it would seem like any that do would suffer the same issue, perhaps explaining the "NOT THOR" identifier.

@patrickdaigneault4796 4 ай бұрын

Bonjour, quel modèle exactement vous avez installé?? Merci pour votre attention. Très intéressant pour votre vidéo.

@phillipc4865 3 жыл бұрын

A lot of gas class A motorhomes are leaners.....including mine. You installed airbags only on the rear because there were already on the front? I'm curious how running the psi differently per side affects the ride/handling. Thanks!

@gerardomyagent 2 жыл бұрын

I have the same question / Can i install only in the back?

@clarencewiles963 Жыл бұрын

Looks great. ✅

@humblegypsydanielcristian4891 Жыл бұрын

I did the same thing the only difference is I added 2 pressure gauge so Einstein 😊

@gerardomyagent 2 жыл бұрын

I have a slight lean and would like to install some airbags. My question is do i only need to install in the rear? Thanks i love your content.

@kevinwilliamson7294 4 жыл бұрын

Have you ever done a Workhorse W22 ? I just put a set on the front, and the rear looks pretty complicated. I might try and do it over the wheel like you did. I don't believe my wheel fenders come off. I used Air lift brand. I'm editing my comment. I just went out and looked at my rear fender. It does appear I can remove it as the screws are accessable with the adjacent compartment doors open. I'm thinking taking them off and lifting the coach a few inches with the leveling Jack's and I should be able to get to the frame. The air bags I got say they go directly over the leaf spring.

@AZExpert 4 жыл бұрын

Good luck. I have not added bags to the rear w22. Just be careful not to get crushed. What kind of motorhome do you have

@kevinwilliamson7294 4 жыл бұрын

@@AZExpert 2004 Newmar Mountain Aire. Did you lift the coach a bit with your install?? Also, the fender on ours has screws in the sides, how are these generally attached on the top? I sent an email to you with a picture of the side of the Coach. Didn't know if you could give me insight on the fender removal.

@mehmetdtx Жыл бұрын

if you dumped some water, would it not solve the problem?

@mrmudstud5980 4 жыл бұрын

It sure would seem with that difference amount of air, one side would ride harder than the other. I went to a spring shop and they added spacers to make up the difference in height. So far, it is working OK.......

@AZExpert 4 жыл бұрын

I would have thought that too. But since the sag is generally caused by uneven weight the air bags just take up the slack of the additional weight meaning the leaf springs should respond in kind. And the sir springs can act as absorbers the reduce spring back. Spacers do work to level, but not relieve the uneven weight. I'm not an automotive engineer so please dont quote me as an authority. 😀

@mrmudstud5980 4 жыл бұрын

AZ Expert Yes, you are correct as it doesn’t relieve the weight difference with the air bag. Before I got mine adjusted, I did a 4 wheel scale weight and adjusted the weights by shifting the storage to different compartments. As it was adjusted as much as possible, I filled all the tanks (fresh water, fuel, propane and personal belongings) then brought it to the spring shop. They adjusted it to 1/2 “ in height for level with spacers. Since then, it rides level and smooth. Of course, I changed the shocks to Koni’s, rear Trac bar and Cheap Handling Fix on the sway bars. Hugh difference 😆.

@23thebull 2 жыл бұрын

just subscribed awesome info.

@AZExpert 2 жыл бұрын

Hey, Thanks for watching! :) and Welcome

@andredesouza9767 2 жыл бұрын

Having looking to add a airbag to my 2003 newmar mountain aire 8.1 workhorse w22 chassis I came across to a sumo springs I understand that is not a airbag so I can't adjust . what do you think is the best one ?? I appreciate any help !!!!!! 🙏

@tombeilman5579 2 жыл бұрын

Put airbags on a old class C that helped the ride and lifted the rear where it needed to be

@AZExpert 2 жыл бұрын

That's good to hear

@raulortiz3592 Жыл бұрын

Any air bags for a Chevy p30 chassis

@privateparty4900 2 жыл бұрын

There's no way this thing rolled off the lot like that. Something has gone past elastic deformation and been bent. Kinda doubt it was a spring unless the bumpstops were gone. As long as the load was similar left to right it's sorta fine... If it turned out the problem was up front and it was leveled by adding spring rate to the rear (the bags), it's now more than a little dangerous to drive.

@AZExpert 2 жыл бұрын

while you might be correct they definitely do leave the factory like this too

@oby-1607 4 жыл бұрын

95 pounds of air pressure? Holy. On my Kenworth, I never went over 60 pounds on its air bags and that was loading over 80,0000 pounds gross on an 18 wheeler. I have never blown an air bag but have never gone to 95 psi.

@mrlarrybobjr 3 жыл бұрын

I wonder what the max is allowed... that would be a loud bang if one blew. I imagine it would scare the crap out of surrounding traffic lol 😝

@RKarmaKill 3 жыл бұрын

Very cool 😎

@AZExpert 3 жыл бұрын

thank you

@hughivphotography1733 3 жыл бұрын

Of course I have a 2019 Thor and it says it will not fit. Do we have another solution for this issue on a Thor?

@AZExpert 3 жыл бұрын

I would order it and see if it fits. The chassis is nearly indentical between RV builders. Return it if it doesn't fit....I ran into the same issue with this motorhome too.

@hughivphotography1733 3 жыл бұрын

Where are you located? I need a few things done in my Rig and am looking for a reputable RV mechanic.