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airlift 1000 explosion
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 7:26 pm
by 06PhillyPathy
Got my 2006 LE all geared up and ready to pull my new 2016 Jayco 23RLSW.
I put 250 miles on the setup and with every short trip I dialed it in more and more and settled on 40 psi as the perfect balance. Today I thought I was ready, which is good because we have 3 days booked in Niagara starting tomorrow night.
After driving 100 miles today, we stopped at a walmart for an extension cord. Truck was off for 15 minutes when I heard what I thought was a gunshot, followed by air hissing and the suspension dropping a couple inches.
I just got the truck jacked up and found the passenger side bag with a big hole in it in the side facing the front of truck. Should be far enough away from exhaust.
So why the explosion? I'm nervous about replacing the bags if if is just going to happen again. Bags were brand new, confirmed at 40 psi this morning.
Also, what is the danger of driving with 2-3 inches of sag in the back?
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 5:03 am
by smj999smj
The maximum inflation is not supposed to exceed 35 PSI. It's in the instructions that came with the kit.
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 7:54 am
by 06PhillyPathy
smj999smj wrote:The maximum inflation is not supposed to exceed 35 PSI. It's in the instructions that came with the kit.
The instructions also say 50-100 psi for motor homes. There's guys on here who run at 50 psi and I've never heard of them exploding. Plus, I feel like airlift would have accounted for an accidental 5 psi overfill (inaccurate tire gauge) in their manufacturing process.
So I'm looking to get other suggestions as to what could be the problem specific to our trucks. It blew up on the exhaust side. Has anyone had blow outs due to heat? Did anyone think it necessary to install a heat shield on this side? Is it possible there was a burr on the springs?
I have an email response pending from airlift and I fully expect them to send me a free bag but I'd like to fix preventable causes in the meantime.
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 1:07 pm
by smj999smj
The motor homes use a different model air bag than the R51.
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 1:11 pm
by smj999smj
smj999smj wrote:The motor homes use a different model air bag than the R51. The range on the #60810 kit is 5-35 PSI. It's always possible you got a defective air bag. Yours is the first one I've heard of exploding on a Pathfinder.
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2016 3:50 pm
by disallow
06PhillyPathy wrote:So I'm looking to get other suggestions as to what could be the problem specific to our trucks. It blew up on the exhaust side. Has anyone had blow outs due to heat? Did anyone think it necessary to install a heat shield on this side? Is it possible there was a burr on the springs?
I have an email response pending from airlift and I fully expect them to send me a free bag but I'd like to fix preventable causes in the meantime.
How clean were your springs?
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 7:30 am
by stmcelroy
Per Airlift:
Our air springs are fully adjustable 5-35 PSI for most applications, and up to 50 or 90 PSI for some motorhome applications.
Hot weather might have caused them to gain pressure and friction could have also played a part in weakening the bag.
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 11:29 pm
by 06PhillyPathy
I paid for a new set of bags. Airlift is going to mail me a new setup and I'll take them back to the store. Very nice company to deal with, they said it is likely the a manufacturer defect, shouldn't ever blow up except in extreme cases.
Also happy to report the R51 just finished towing is first 1000 miles with no major issues!
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 11:32 pm
by 06PhillyPathy
disallow wrote:06PhillyPathy wrote:So I'm looking to get other suggestions as to what could be the problem specific to our trucks. It blew up on the exhaust side. Has anyone had blow outs due to heat? Did anyone think it necessary to install a heat shield on this side? Is it possible there was a burr on the springs?
I have an email response pending from airlift and I fully expect them to send me a free bag but I'd like to fix preventable causes in the meantime.
How clean were your springs?
Not clean. Before running the new bags I lightly wet hand sanded with 600 to 3000 grit to take off any burrs or high spots