Airbags off the easy way

[jimshoen]

Jon,
Found the easy way to get the front airbags half their size so they would fit under the A arms. Laid them on their side and cut them in half with a utility knife.
Jim

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Good thinking Jim. So when you replace them with new ones are you planning to cut them in half before you install them?

[jimshoen]

Actually, Jon.
I was going to ask you come sit on them while I tie them up?

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Jim,

Real men just use their muscles to squeeze them together while they are going in place. Ask Roger. He'll tell you.

[jimshoen]

Both the front airbags are installed now.
The space on the forward side of the a arms is slightly more than on the aft side. With only a moderate amount of wrestling they went right in.

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

Jim, I was wondering if a vacuum pump would have helped, but then you would have to have access to one?

What do you think.

[jimshoen]

Turned out they would have gone out the front side of the A arms. But cutting them in half only took about two minutes each.
Installed 4 three way Norgren valves today. That takes care of all the Norgren valves on the front of the bus. I went I slow as possible, took a bunch of phone calls and it still took only four hours.
Just about have the front of the bus done.
Automatic misters on the Cruisair condensing units (yes they work).
New air bags on the IFS.
Four new Norgren valves.
New service chambers on the front discs.
Properly greased the front end, replaced a few leaking zerks.
Serviced the Howard steering unit.
New shocks last year.
Aligned.
No interference on the tie rod clamps now. They had definitely been rubbing.
Steering wheel aligned.
Waiting on the Equal and the front wheels go back on.
The rear is next weeks project.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Just stay safe under the bus Jim.

Make certain it is blocked up or supported and remember you need to be especially sure it is supported and cannot move because once you work on the rear brake chambers there is nothing stopping the bus from rolling or moving. Chock the front wheels and be very cautious if you have to reef on anything to loosen a bolt or nut.

I cannot over emphasize the risk of the bus moving when the wheels with brakes are off or up in the air.