Urgent! Air bag repair?

Hi Dudes,

I've got Arnott gen 2 airbags and one them let go this morning ruining my laning day.

Anyway, got it relayed home and got it up on stands and it seems as though it's leaking round the bottom plate. If I squeeze the bag, air can be heard coming out of this area. We went through a lot of deep holes this morning just before it went, so I'm wondering if it's just become unseated or something. Is there anything quick and easy that I can do to reseat it? Trying to avoid taking it off!

Help!

Guy

Ok, got the airbag out and it seems to be leaking in the collar where the air pipe goes in not the bottom plate.

I seem to remember someone saying that there is an o ring in there. Anyone know how the collar comes apart or should I just try and get another spring under the guarrantee?

Good time to find out just how good their guarrantee is....!

Guy

The brass collar just pulls out. There are two O rings behind this. Seems strange that it let go all of a sudden. If it was the O rings I would have expected a slow leak rather than a quick deflate. Are you sure the airline was fully inserted ? If it wasnt fully home then it is possible that the airline had only just caught the first O ring.....
Give it a lube up and try it again.

rewmer said:

The brass collar just pulls out. There are two O rings behind this. Seems strange that it let go all of a sudden. If it was the O rings I would have expected a slow leak rather than a quick deflate. Are you sure the airline was fully inserted ? If it wasnt fully home then it is possible that the airline had only just caught the first O ring.....
Give it a lube up and try it again.

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Hi rewmer,

Just tried reconnecting it and it just hisses when I squeeze it.

Does the same with my finger over it too.

It does seem strange that it suddenly let go though. Hmm..

Great, is raining now an all. Grrr.

Guy

try cutting it back slightly then refit it?

nathan5346 said:

try cutting it back slightly then refit it?

Click to expand...

Ok, got it to seal at the pipe end but it's hissing at the base now when I squeeze it so I think it's definitely knackered.

The pipe must have been a red herring - I expected to be able to seal it with my finger with it off the car but evidently I can't with these.

It's only 4 months old!

Is definitely hissing round the base plate - sounds like the middle of it.

Guy

As you said, time to see how good the warrenty is

Ok, found the problem - the bottom plate is cracked.

So what would cause that? I know the ground was rough, but that's what they're designed for, isn't it?

Is there a piston or something that moves inside? I'm wondering if it's just moved a bit too far and smashed through the base. Aren't the bumpstops supposed to stop things like that happening?

What do you reckon the chances of getting it replaced under the guarrantee are?

Guy

kooky_guy said:

Ok, found the problem - the bottom plate is cracked.

So what would cause that? I know the ground was rough, but that's what they're designed for, isn't it?

Is there a piston or something that moves inside? I'm wondering if it's just moved a bit too far and smashed through the base. Aren't the bumpstops supposed to stop things like that happening?

What do you reckon the chances of getting it replaced under the guarrantee are?

Guy

Click to expand...

I reckon that could be a manufacturing fault, injection moulded plastic can develop flaws if it cools too quickly or if the mould temperature is incorrect. Definately worth contacting Arnott direct even though legally your claim is against the shop that supplied you

Datatek said:

I reckon that could be a manufacturing fault, injection moulded plastic can develop flaws if it cools too quickly or if the mould temperature is incorrect. Definately worth contacting Arnott direct even though legally your claim is against the shop that supplied you

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Hmm. Sounds interesting. I'll give p38spares a bell tomorrow and see what they say. Either way I've got to get another one as I'm now carless until I fix it.

I must say that I've never heard of this with arnott springs before in any of the forums I frequent. I was worried that I might have fitted it incorrectly, but thinking about it, there isn't any way you can fit them wrong or the pins won't go in.

Guy

kooky_guy said:

Hmm. Sounds interesting. I'll give p38spares a bell tomorrow and see what they say. Either way I've got to get another one as I'm now carless until I fix it.

I must say that I've never heard of this with arnott springs before in any of the forums I frequent. I was worried that I might have fitted it incorrectly, but thinking about it, there isn't any way you can fit them wrong or the pins won't go in.

Guy

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Google Arnott Airsprings, then send them a photo and see what they say

Datatek said:

Google Arnott Airsprings, then send them a photo and see what they say

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Worth a try, but I need a replacement asap. I knew I shouldn't have thrown out the originals!

Guy

kooky_guy said:

Worth a try, but I need a replacement asap. I knew I shouldn't have thrown out the originals!

Guy

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Yes, go after P38 spares, thats where I got my Gen 2's from. It's a sale of goods act job. Must be suitable for the purpose intended etc. Aproaching Arnott is just a back up for if you get problems with P38 spares refuting responsibility

Well all credit to P38 spares, they sent a new replacement straight away which arrived today - just wanted a photograph of the damage.

My concern is that the base on the new one is the same brittle looking plastic as the broken one.

Am I the only one to have broken an airspring or have others had this problem? I don't want to have to worry about them breaking every time I go off road.

Guy

fit springs with internal airbags,that way you have the best of both.

Hi BoB.

I've been waiting for you to tell me to fit springs, but internal airbags? Howzat work?

Guy

Fixed it!

Buggr, but it's cold. And dark!

Guy