P38A Help ! Catastrophic failure -ominous metallic clunking from rear

[awkwardbob]

The P38 in its natural environment, well the one that isn’t the workshop…

 

[Jon Dor]

The P38 in its natural environment, well the one that isn’t the workshop…

Got a list to starboard...just like mine...and Jondor, too! I'm thinking Jondor is a P38 in disguise!

 

[awkwardbob]

Aye, hopefully the trip to Penrith and a stern talking to might resolve that !

the hitch weight of the American camper is a touch over at 170kg or so but I’ve only blown the one suspension airbag so far !

 

[Rubberknees]

The P38 in its natural environment, well the one that isn’t the workshop…

Looks a bit parky there Brrrr

 

[Jon Dor]

Looks a bit parky there Brrrr

Get ya nipple warmers out!

 

[P38 Monkey]

Aye, hopefully the trip to Penrith and a stern talking to might resolve that !
the hitch weight of the American camper is a touch over at 170kg or so but I’ve only blown the one suspension airbag so far !

Looks like a mobile version of The Pentagon - impressive!

 

[awkwardbob]

Bugger… my EAS is really giving me the runaround. Don’t know if I have a leak or what.

EAS unlock only seems to have made it worse !

time to check
An old thread…

 

[Jon Dor]

Or...as a temporary measure, stick a Schrader valve on each corner...

 

[awkwardbob]

Or...as a temporary measure, stick a Schrader valve on each corner...

Handily I keep 4 in my glovebox -I’ve been here before !

any advice on recommended pressures ?

 

[Jon Dor]

Handily I keep 4 in my glovebox -I’ve been here before !

any advice on recommended pressures ?

I currently have front running around 80psi, rears at 130 - 135psi.
HOWEVER, that is most definitely NOT a recommendation. That's what I am running with. Both rears deflate a little overnight, one front stays at selected pressure, whilst the other front one needs attention weekly or thereabouts.
Good luck resolving your setup...
Mike.

 

[awkwardbob]

I currently have front running around 80psi, rears at 130 - 135psi.
HOWEVER, that is most definitely NOT a recommendation. That's what I am running with. Both rears deflate a little overnight, one front stays at selected pressure, whilst the other front one needs attention weekly or thereabouts.
Good luck resolving your setup...
Mike.

Well that’s something to start with.

I’ve to tow the beast back to the motherland on Sunday, just a little nervous.

 

[tomcat59alan]

I currently have front running around 80psi, rears at 130 - 135psi.
HOWEVER, that is most definitely NOT a recommendation. That's what I am running with. Both rears deflate a little overnight, one front stays at selected pressure, whilst the other front one needs attention weekly or thereabouts.
Good luck resolving your setup...
Mike.

Sounds like you need four new bags and throw the Schrader valves in the glove box in case of emergency.

 

[Jon Dor]

Sounds like you need four new bags and throw the Schrader valves in the glove box in case of emergency.

They ARE new bags Alan. A few months ago, the car was on EAS and, whilst reversing a 17'6" trailer with a 19' boat onto the quayside, there was a sudden, steady whoosh of air and the whole shebang dropped to the bumpstops. I was under pressure - pun intended - to get the boat moved to the fixed crane and unloaded into the river. I took valves and pressurised the airsprings, expecting one corner to be flat, but they all inflated...and stayed up to get the job done. Unable to investigate further, they've stayed that way. Clearly a line has a leak somewhere, but I've been unable to get it on a ramp other than MOT time, when my trusted mechanic was too time-pressured (pesky pun again) to investigate it then. My downward spiralling health and strapped-for-cash-ness since then means I have an intimate relationship with my trusty £15.00 air pump far too frequently...

 

[Rubberknees]

Get ya nipple warmers out!

Got me hands warm and ready

 

[Rubberknees]

Handily I keep 4 in my glovebox -I’ve been here before !

any advice on recommended pressures ?

Think its start with about 60 lbs per bag and work up from there

 

[tomcat59alan]

They ARE new bags Alan. A few months ago, the car was on EAS and, whilst reversing a 17'6" trailer with a 19' boat onto the quayside, there was a sudden, steady whoosh of air and the whole shebang dropped to the bumpstops. I was under pressure - pun intended - to get the boat moved to the fixed crane and unloaded into the river. I took valves and pressurised the airsprings, expecting one corner to be flat, but they all inflated...and stayed up to get the job done. Unable to investigate further, they've stayed that way. Clearly a line has a leak somewhere, but I've been unable to get it on a ramp other than MOT time, when my trusted mechanic was too time-pressured (pesky pun again) to investigate it then. My downward spiralling health and strapped-for-cash-ness since then means I have an intimate relationship with my trusty £15.00 air pump far too frequently...

When you can you should check the bags have two o rings under the collets and the pipes are fully home,a champher on the end of the pipe helps I used a pencil sharpener gently on the end.

 

[Datatek]

60/70psi is about all that is needed for normal height

 

[Jon Dor]

60/70psi is about all that is needed for normal height

But not on my P38 Keith. Gets to normal ride height ONLY with 85 psi min on fronts, 135-140psi on rears.

 

[Rubberknees]

But not on my P38 Keith. Gets to normal ride height ONLY with 85 psi min on fronts, 135-140psi on rears.

That seems very high for rears

 

[Jon Dor]

Yes...it is, but that's the way the cookie crumbles on mine. I had to buy a higher-rated pump to supply that. Occasionally, I release all the air and start again, but it's always the same. My mechanic was horrified when I told him.