Trailer airbag replacement question. What parts will I need?

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by God prefers Diesels, Jan 20, 2021.

  1. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Trying to get my ducks in a row, and source these parts before the weekend.

    2008 Benson 524a

    Airbags: Hendrickson C-20901 / ContiTech 11 10.5A-16

    I've found these spacers online, and I think I found the fitting extension kit.
    Screenshot_20210120-181820_Chrome.jpg Screenshot_20210120-182210_Chrome.jpg

    Questions are, what are the big nuts for? (lol) Do they connect to the air bag combo studs? If they're seized on there and I bust the studs in them, where do I buy new ones, and should I line those up before this weekend? Here's pics of what I'm working with.

    20210120_180148.jpg 20210120_180143.jpg 20210120_180139.jpg 20210120_180125.jpg


    Edit: Also, can I just ditch the spacers altogether?
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2021
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  3. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Okay, I guess part of that mounting kit is the actual nuts. So I just need the right kit to go with 1 1/8 spacers.

    This post is starting to feel kind of pointless now.
     
  4. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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    The big nuts are used to bolt down the top of the air bag to the frame. At least one of the studs is hollow for the supply air to pass through via air fittings.
     
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  5. Rideandrepair

    Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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    I don’t think you need the kit. Maybe just the nuts. I doubt it. A deep socket and breaker, should get it loose. They look thinner than standard, but standard nuts would probably still work if so. Keep the spacers, they’re there for a reason. Definitely get new ferrules. Cut the old ends off, make sure you have a long enough air line. If not, get a length of it.
     
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  6. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Just a suggestion. I always paint a butt load of anti sieze on the metal surfaces that sandwich together on air springs. This helps keep the corrosion from forming between the dissimilar metals.
    Over the years I have seen most air springs rusted through the top plate under the frame rail and leaking from there before they leak from rubber casing.

    I’ve found springs will last forever and rubber will rot less if they stay aired up. Everytime they deflate the rubber folds up and causes stress cracking. Just like a tire sitting flat to long will crack, crease, and break cords in the sidewall.
     
  7. 6wheeler

    6wheeler Road Train Member

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    I have that same airbag in my Fontain trailer. I got rid of the spacers about 8 years ago. You can use propain to get the nuts loose if they have never been off. The 3/4 nut at the bottom will need to be retighten after they settle down. The plastic piston will crack and break if loose. I welded metal ones to my trailer
     
  8. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Yeah, that's where this one is leaking.

    I can't remove the spacers. When the bags are down, the rear duals are only about an inch away from the winch rail. Didn't think about that when I asked. Got all the parts lined up for tomorrow.
     
  9. black_dog106

    black_dog106 Road Train Member

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    You have that truck ready for another week of use and abuse? :occasion5:
     
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  10. God prefers Diesels

    God prefers Diesels Road Train Member

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    Yep! Finished getting them in yesterday. Only needed to do the rear axle. Passenger side was cake. Driver's side wasn't. Bottom nut was so seized, it was causing the long bolt to spin internally. Both big top nuts were completely seized. Was able to break one combo stud with my 3/4" impact, but it was too big to fit on the other one. So I cut the bag open with my pocket knife, and cut the stud out from underneath with my plasma cutter. Once I got the bag out of there, I cut the stud in half and hammered it out. Was able to save the spacer. That one bag took me a good three hours. It was the leaking one. Had four or five holes in it about 3/16 diameter.
     
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