Georgi
Kelowna BC Canada
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Joined: 08/06/2005
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The short story is we are stranded in a campground in Alaska 100 miles from Anchorage and other services. I did not want the rig towed so decided to try to fix this myself. The problem was the front airbags would not inflate. I dertermined air was getting to the rideheight valve but not past it to the bags so ordered a new valve.
The new valve arrived at 500 pm today and after 3 hours I can report that the new valve does allow air into the front airbags but when I went for a short test drive then shut the engine off the air bled out of the front airbags. I do not know exactly where it bled out. Also, the new valve is weeping a clear oil from a rubber cover I suspect this may be a lubricant it was packed with and it is just normal for it to weep out when used?
I have never adjusted rideheight so am learning on the job. When I first installed the valve I put the circular valve and the rod going through it in the same position as the old one and aired the rig up. The front bags did not air up. I then went under the rig took the rod out of the circular valve and manually turned the valve and air started entering the front airbags until the tank ran dry. I started the rig went under again and kept the circular valve in position until the front bags were full and the air movement stopped. I reinserted the rod after adjusting it at the lower end so I could insert it without changing the postion of the circular valve. I then went for the test drive.
I will call my Dealer's mechanic tomorrow AM however if anyone has specific knowledge of these valves and how to adjust them I would appreciate any input. I suspect I'll have to play with it and I think I am finding out that say 1/4 inch either way is a big adjustment. Thanks for your help.
2000 Beaver 40' Patriot Thunder
Cat C-12 Allison 4060
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dreamer
Southern Illinois
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Joined: 01/16/2002
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Georgi,
From the Monaco website:
Technical Support, Parts and Warranty Assistance: (877) 466-6226 (Toll-free)
E-mail: mcctech@monacocoach.com
After-hours emergency: (877) 466-6226 (Our on-call technician will be paged to assist you.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
dreamer.
'00 HR Endeavor - 330 Cat
'02 Tracker - Blue Ox
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone? - Bob Dylan
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Twomed
On the road USA
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Joined: 06/02/2004
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If you are using the KN 7000 series valve it sounds like the valve is 180 degrees out of phase. Remove the rod, turn half a turn, reattach at same length as before and see if everything is ok. There is no left/right to those so they have to be rotated for the internal airways to linne up. Oil (mineral) is for shelf life preservation, bleeding is normal. You are doing great, in the ball park, and almost home. 
PS...small adjustments are right on, mark the rod with a magic marker so you know where you are going with it.
Happy Trails
06 Monaco Dynasty
07 Hummer H3
FMCA 279843
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Ames
South Central Florida
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Joined: 01/05/2001
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We had a push in O ring sealed distribution manifold leak down on our Beaver's front air ride and replaced it with compression fittings made into a manifold after finishing the trip. The air bag suspension would operate normally as the engine air compressor kept up with the leak. We drove about 900 miles and 4 nights with no problem. You leak down may be similar and though not perfect your coach should be very drivable.
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
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Georgi
Kelowna BC Canada
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Joined: 08/06/2005
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Thank you so much for replying. I am gathering information before driving 5 miles to the telephone. Twomed I will see if I can rotate the knob 180 degrees and other wise fiddle with the whole system. Ames I think I know the manifold you are talking about I have 2 of them up front and I think one is for the front bags and one for the back. I will air up again shut the engine off and listen for where the leak is.
The thing at this point I do not understand is after the air leaked out when I shut down why did it not air the front back up again? I must not have the knob in the right position as twomed suggests PLUS I have a manifold leak? I'll go back under and will look for your replies.
Thank you for the encouragement.
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TMitchell
Punta Gorda, Fl.
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Joined: 12/02/2003
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How do you fit under the MH when the airbags are empty?
Tom
Tom,Pat and Buster the Boston Terrier
2004 Dutch Star 3807 Spartan 370HP
Jeep Grand Cherokee
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Georgi
Kelowna BC Canada
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Joined: 08/06/2005
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The happy ending to this story is that as there was no instructions supplied with the valve I mangaed to locate installation instructions with diagrams on the Haldex website which gave me the information I needed to complete the adjustments on this fix.
Twomed you were right on re the valve rotation it needed 90 degrees. There is also a set screw and nut inside the removable rubber cover which can be adjusted so you can adjust the rideheight simultaneously with both the adjustment rod and the setscrew. I think I got it right as we have now travelled 1500 miles and the ride is wonderful.
With the airbags deflated and the main slide out I can actually get under where I needed to be. I had 8" by 8" 2 foot blocks under the chassis as I spent quite a bit of time under there with bags inflated and deflated and jacks both up and down. I need to add a 12 ton jack and jack stands to my tools. Thank you for the safety warnings.
Thank you all for you assistance. It is very nice having the support.
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