What happens if you have bag failure?

[Ackattack]

I have SS RE-7 that have internal bumpstops. Right now with the front aired out, or a blow out, the tires would scrub the inner fender when turning.

I'm going to be swapping out my cups for slightly taller ones to prevent scrubbing in case of a blow out.

[N2TRUX]

That just proves my point that even a well engineered system "can" fail. There are thousands of scenarios of unforeseen circumstances that could cause a system to fail. Building in "fail safe" should be standard equipment on any system.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Here is the old and new set up. FYI- The bag looks closer to the stop than it actually is due to the angle of the pic.

Thanks. Boardmember Bowtie468 designed these. Here's currently modifying them to use different adjustable stops.

[motornut]

not sure what cut them i was drivin lol not lookin under (was told salt,rocks prob at fault),they had sort cast aluminum flat top and bottom with the bag inside . i'll have a look for pics,the first one is like i remember the bag looked,the second is the newer setup that pulls the body down to the axle,so if it breaks it goes up not down

[andrewmp6]

A lot of Cadillac's and Lincoln's used factory air ride and you still see some driving around laying on the ground there systems give out with age.When my mark 8 air ride went out it just dropped down but could still drive it like that.People that build a truck to lay frame its more a show truck.Most of us want it to look like it can but leave just enough in case something breaks.But air bags can last a long time every semi on the road has them on the rear leafs and back of the sleeper.Just think how many miles a semi sees in a life time.

[cajundragger]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

People that build a truck to lay frame its more a show truck.Most of us want it to look like it can but leave just enough in case something breaks.But air bags can last a long time every semi on the road has them on the rear leafs and back of the sleeper.Just think how many miles a semi sees in a life time.

lol right.

I dont lay frame...

I lay body, hard. I'll drive my truck anywhere, anytime. Im not worried about bag failure, not saying it wont happen, but I've spent countless hours ensuring clearances and safely plumbing lines while using top sheft parts.

Just because trucks lay doesnt mean they dont get driven. My brother tows with his 1500HD all over the country and its been laying frame for about 40xxx miles now. zero failures.

drivability and reliability have nothing to do with laying out or not. If you run your line next to the exhaust on either setup it will melt and if your bags contact metal(smooth or not) they will fail.

so to the OP, if one of my bags fail, I'll pull over and put a piece of wood in there to hold it up and drive to the nearest exit and swap the bag. No I wont go wild out of control, and I have to loose both bags on the same side for any metal to contact the ground besides the bumpers.

[mullit]

Two words for ya Check Valves.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by mullit

Two words for ya Check Valves.

How about taking the time to explain how you could use them in these applications.

[eightbanger]

Great thread and terrific info!....I had always wondered about how easy built in fail safes for people running bags would be.

[Hottrucks]

Well being of recent rear bag failure!! yesterday with Bonnie for those of you following along....I had a rear trailing arm mount break..with my pro street tires the clearance wasn't enough!!!! the bag slid to one side of the arm just enough that it rubbed the tire and POP!!....no matter how much air I put to ther other bag it wouldnt lift the bad side off the stop (keep in mind I have a long bed)..i was close enough to drive it the 10 miles or so home but if I had to go any further I would have put a block of 2x4 in there with a zip tie to hold it in place....then I would have driven it home..no matter how far the reason is to get it somewhat level and take the twist out of running just one bag...same thing with the front.....

I plan to get a solid piece of rubber maybe 3" square with a couple zip ties to hold it in place..Keep in mind I can run and steer (stop to stop) with zero air .....maybe even a couple pieces of one of those recaps you see scattered on the road cut up abut 6" long..they would store really easy

[Wasted Income]

I blew a line once, from it being too close to the exhaust. The front right corner dropped. I was on the highway at 80 mph. No biggie. Mine still rolls fine when aired out. I got on the back roads and limped it about 15 miles home. 200 miles? HEEELLLLL no. Rides kinda rough that way, lol.

[andrewmp6]

I never had air bags yet i use to have hydraulics on a impala busting a cylinder is like busting a bag car slammed to the ground on the left front.I will say one thing cleaning off the hydraulic fluid off everything under the car was a pain ill go bags next time.

[LostMy65]

I used the google search located at the top of the page - searched; 'what if bags fail' - and this thread came up as a result.
It may be an old thread, but the info was exactly what I was looking for.
Some previous owner cut the springs in the rear to lower it, and now the ride is rough.
I figured as long as I need to replace the springs, I might as well just replace them with bags.
So, I'm only going to do the rear.
Thanks to this thread, I feel better now knowing I should be fine if something fails.

[broey]

I like the idea of an adjustable bump stop that is always mounted. so people that want to lay frame as hard as possible (me) could have a failsafe. so if a bag blows out. get out, jack the truck up. adjust the bump stop as ride height, and roll out to somewhere safe (or home)

[kev2809]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

Thanks. Boardmember Bowtie468 designed these. Here's currently modifying them to use different adjustable stops.

those are nice! is he selling those yet?

[502ms]

Originally Posted by broey

I like the idea of an adjustable bump stop that is always mounted. so people that want to lay frame as hard as possible (me) could have a failsafe. so if a bag blows out. get out, jack the truck up. adjust the bump stop as ride height, and roll out to somewhere safe (or home)

I do like that. I've experienced failure, but it was related to just having my exhaust redone. The line to the front driver side was damaged, but somehow was not evident until I left the exhaust shop, rode on the highway, and aired down when I got close to my home. The front left would go down, and I'd pump it up to get to the next 1/4 mile. My problem could have been aided by the removable bump stops, so I would love to get a set of those. It was just way too hot to change that line on the road (108*) that day. I had the stuff I needed at home. This is why I made a poll about having hydraulic lines or stainless lines in a system. I have learned a lot in the 8,000 miles I have driven it bagged...and I have gone out of state with it...so yes, I do drive it. I would do it again in a heartbeat...it's all about knowing what you have and it's capabilities, as well as having the emergency roadside kit in case of failure. Good news is that I can drive fine with the rear aired out completely.
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[oldspowered67C10]

Interesting thread, back when mine had bags in it I ran with no bump stops, gave for the best ride and the ability to go as low as possible air out but would drag front crossmember sometimes while driving and was dead in the water the one and only time I had a line failure(my fault). Now that Im less concerned about how low it will go I decided to run bump stops.

My new set-up has coil overs but I wanted a adjustable bump stop. Heres what I came up with a big bolt, a aftermarket bump stop and a little time on a lathe. Simple, tough and easy to adjust on the vehicle. Since then Ive replaced the nuts in the pics with shorter, jamb style nuts for more adjustment.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=412403

[Coursey]

Good Read