Georgi
Kelowna BC Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 08/06/2005
View Profile
 Offline
|
I have a 2000 Beaver Magnum 8 airbag chassis and after encountering a dip in the road up here in Alaska the front airbags are deflated and will not inflate. I have tried dumping all the air a few times and the rig airs up fine to full pressure and holds it. The rear bags inflate but not the fronts. I am thinking either a part of the ride height linkage broke or perhaps something in the front valve controller or perhaps an air line gave way.
I am not familiar with all the components of the air system so do not know exactly what all the parts are or where they are located. I will be crawling around underneath tracing lines and identifying parts if I can so if anyone out there can help with what to look for and how to test I would appreciate the advice.
I limped into a comfortable campground with good WiFi so hopefully one way or the other we can get it fixed here. I thought I would see if anyone out there can help before I call my Dealer's mechanic tomorrow from whom I will try to get a schematic of the whole system which I do not have. If I cannot find something and fix it myself or get a part sent that I can install then I will have to involve Coachnet and the insurance Company and it will get towed or flat decked 110 miles to Anchorage. I hope to avoid this.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
2000 Beaver 40' Patriot Thunder
Cat C-12 Allison 4060
|
wolfe10
Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 10/08/2000
View Profile
Offline
|
Find the ride height valve. There is a rod that goes from the front axle to the valve. Make sure it is connected and if so that it is adjusted properly. Monaco can give you the ride height specs.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
|
Briteskys
Mesa, AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 09/21/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
On my 2002 Beaver Thunder, (no tag) the bag ride heights (all around) are 10" + or - 1/4".
I'd bet yours are the same.
'02 Beaver 40' Patriot Thunder
CAT C12 455hp
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Ron & Jane 2007 - 08
|
Georgi
Kelowna BC Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 08/06/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Thanks for the quick responses. Brett FYI we met the Hays from Nacogdoches in their U240 when we were in Seward. Very nice people who said they had met you. I crawl under a check the that the rod is attached if the linkage is exactly the same as the rear linkage it should give me something to compare too.
Britesky I measured my rideheight at 9.75" so it is in the ballpark.
Thanks again I'll let you know what I find.
|
wolfe10
Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 10/08/2000
View Profile
Offline
|
Not sure I understand how front ride height could be 9.75", yet the front air bags are not inflated.
And be sure to find a dead level area to do the ride height final adjustment.
AND make sure to block the chassis before crawling under is there is insufficient clearance for you with the bags fully deflated.
* This post was
edited 08/10/08 02:53pm by wolfe10 *
|
|
|
Georgi
Kelowna BC Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 08/06/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Sorry I did not mean to confuse I measured the rideheight at 9.75" front and back a couple months ago. I do not have a 12 ton jack with me and nowhere to borrow one here still looking for suitable material to block the chassis for peace of mind. After being on the road for 9 weeks I am learning what I should have with me.
|
Georgi
Kelowna BC Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 08/06/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Just to update I found the front passenger airbag had jammed up and folded in on itself therefore I assume no seal could be achieved when airing up. I think when I hit the dip the seal was lost then the bag was jammed up. I pried it down to the normal deflated position and tested but the front still will not air up. Everything else underneath looked OK with no breakages, crimps or loose connections observed.
I am wondering whether once the whole front airbag system lost air is there a manual reset button somewhere? I have to drive a few miles to make a phone call to my Dealer and will update this issue further.
|
wolfe10
Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 10/08/2000
View Profile
Offline
|
In the north country, large logs/tree sections can be used as safety jacks.
There will be no "manual reset".
Have you been able to look at the ride height valve?
When you tried to inflate (start engine), was there any air leak from the questionable bag? If the bag is the issue, you should hear a lot of air leaking when the chassis is attempting to reach ride height.
|
Ames
South Central Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 01/05/2001
View Profile
|
Sounds like the ride height adjustment valve may be stuck open. The middle of your front axle has a vertical rod through a rubber sleeve and clamp (adjustment) and the top is attached to the valve behind the axle. That is where I would check first to see if the rod was pushed downward. There will not be much clerance as you will be crawling under a cross member.
Richard and Babs and a Bob Tail Cat
97 Beaver Patriot 40 Kitchen Slide
330 HP Member FMCA, BAC, Good Sam, CAT RV Club
Toad 04 Durango HEMI
|
Works2RV
Summerville, SC, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/07/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Georgi wrote:Just to update I found the front passenger airbag had jammed up and folded in on itself
Can they actually do that without being holed or ruptured?? When deflated I've seen them look folded but never "jammed up" and stuck.
1987 36' Beaver Marquis High Tech Wide body
3208T CAT, MT643 Allison in a Gillig MHA
Koni's & Toyo all around
FMCA, Good Sam
Jetta TDI
Marsha & Buck
|
|
|
