Worn out airbags?

[Fish]

The rubber on my airbags is starting to dry out and is getting a little flakey, are these gonna spring a leak any day or is there still some life in them? I might be towing my trailer this weekend and with the added weight on them I don't want one popping, these are the original air bags.

 

[Zach]

Rarely do they pop. They leak air, usually at first overnight. Then rather quickly. My last one that went would leak down in twenty minutes. Think I've replaced mine three times. Once was due to breaking the base

 

[Fish]

Reason I ask is because we are going to Ocotillo Wells this weekend, I will be towing a relatively heavy trailer and once there I want to offroad in the 2. We are going for 5-6 days so I want nothing to go wrong, so Im debating to replace the bags now just to be sure I won't have a problem. I really don't want to spend 3 or 4 hundred bucks to replace them but a leaking or blown bag will really put a damper on our vacation. My bags look like **** but I don't know if it's really a sign they are ready to blow.

 

[Cyouincourt007]

If possible replace and keep those as spares maybe? I don't have a 2 and don't know much about it but seems like not worth jeopardizing a well earned vacation if you've got the funds and time to get them swapped for new. My 2cents. Anyone else have experience with these? Do they look ready to leak or just looking rough but have life in them still.

 

[Renagade132]

You can add a rubber softener to help, but they look pretty beat brother. I know you don't need the extra expense, but if they go, especially when your on a trail, you will have to worry about having all the right tools and of course the new air bags to replace them, let alone the inconvenience of dealing with it on a bad angle during an off road run. And that doesn't include the problem, if you can't or don't know how to do it on the field, so someone will charge you an arm and a leg, to do it for you, making your cost ten times fold compare to you doing it at home. Sorry brother

 

[Fish]

They do look bad, maybe they could get me thru my trip but I do to want to risk it. After 10-11 years I'm sure they need to be replaced so might as well do it now so the vacation isn't ruined. I'll call around tomorow and get prices, last I checked the bags are $100ish and from what I've heard installation is pretty easy.

 

[Zach]

OEM bags are more. I think airnaught or something like that are aftermarket. I destroyed an air bag on the trail due to breaking my level sensor. It is not fun. The drive home was horrible with the bounce and left rear down. Pulling a trailer, get them done before you go Matt.

 

[autumn walker]

Perhaps look at swapping to OEM coils + helper bags? The OEM bags are known to rot on the H2's. I specifically looked for a coil sprung truck when I bought mine for this reason.

 

[Fish]

I'm going to replace them, they have lasted over 10 years so if I get another 10 out of the new ones it's worth it. I really like the air suspension despite its undeserved bad reputation, it's a nice ride and especially nice if your towing a trailer, and the instant 3 inch lift you can get out of them is cool too. I've never had any issues with them, knock on wood...but yes I'm still on the original air compressor so hopefully he still has some life left.

 

[Cyouincourt007]

Used air compressor 250.


http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/pts/4912451392.html

 

[Fish]

Good price but how used is it? it could have more hours on it than mine. I think new ones are around $1200-$1500. I'm not sure if I have a dual stage or not, how can I tell which one I have?

 

[twinmill28]

The dual stage were put in the newer H2's after it was discovered the single stagers kept having problems. Thing is I can't remember what "newer model" is, could be 04 and up or maybe 05 and up.
Not sure what you were doing under your truck to see flaky air bags, but that's alot froggier than me where I'd only realize that when I'm replacing them and thinking, man do these look bad.

For my dedicated tow rig (the deuce) I'd never pull my bags out to replace with springs, makes way too much of a difference in how smooth it tows. Plus I've driven a spring loaded deuce at the dealer after getting out of mine and could tell a noticeable difference in comfort (air=more comfortable by a little). Plus, as Fish notes, it is cool to be able to jack up your ride an extra few inches at the push of a button---cool party trick.

There's also a mod you need to do the the sensor arms for the air susp. but for the life of me I've never found the thread. Apparently when you're running 37's no lift you can break them? and get stranded on a trail. Like Zach says, that's got to be a bad end to the day.

 

[Zach]

06 up had dual stage compressor. The fix to the sensors is knocking out the plastic pin that breaks and reversing how it's mounted. Or a zip tie worked for years for me

With the air ride, I'm not switching over. Too nice of a ride. Three sets of bags and would put another set in. That and I have a spare compressor

 

[twinmill28]

06 up had dual stage compressor. The fix to the sensors is knocking out the plastic pin that breaks and reversing how it's mounted. Or a zip tie worked for years for me

With the air ride, I'm not switching over. Too nice of a ride. Three sets of bags and would put another set in. That and I have a spare compressor

Pics plz? If I wasn't so piss poor I'd make the 4 hour drive over to West Covina and look for myself, but freakin' life keeps getting in the way......

 

[Fish]

I just received a couple shiny new airbags, or airsprings as most call them. Dealer price and the price repair shops quoted me is $189 per bag but online I got them for $117 each. Seeing these new bags made me realize how shot my old bags were, I'm suprised the old bags were still holding air but that's a testament to how durable the airsprings are, 10-11 years old and they were still holding air so to all the air suspension nay sayers I say fuh! The new ones will be installed on Thursday by my go to mechanic/shop "GM Exclusive" here in Vista, the owner is a top notch rated, certified GM mechanic who knows his stuff and has very reasonable rates and has always done me right.

and in that crock pot is a huge corned beef, cabbage, and taters, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

[Fish]

The new bags were installed today, I can't believe how much of a difference they make, it rides like a different truck.

Just kidding, feels the same as it always has. The mechanic said he couldn't believe how worn out they were. Now Im good for awhile :thumbs:

 

[Cyouincourt007]

The new bags were installed today, I can't believe how much of a difference they make, it rides like a different truck.

Just kidding, feels the same as it always has. The mechanic said he couldn't believe how worn out they were. Now Im good for awhile :thumbs:

Awesome! :woot: