Ride Rite Air Bag Leak?

[jd4010]

Well I finally got done installing a set of Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags on my F350. Also installed the Air Command II.

This is my first air bag system....and as such, I'm not sure what to expect regarding the bags holding pressure. I don't have any visible leaks using the soap water technique at the connections yet the air bags are leaking down just a every hour. Is this normal or should it hold the air spot on the PSI I set.

Just looking for a quick answer. I don't want to chase something that is "normal" so to speak.

[crrider08]

How badly do they leak? the bags are very small and taking the air chuck on and off can release 3 or 4 psi each time. One of my dads airbags holds fine while the other leaks in a day or two to nothing. I think its the cheap push to connect fittings that come on these things. They just don't hold air! I wonder if anybody has found a way around those?

[Mr. Black]

My Airlifts will hold 10 pounds through the winter.

If my system didn't hold for a month on a compressorless system I would be disappointed.

Once you add a compressor system there are a lot more possibilites for leaks. It's possible you just flat out have an internal leak in the air command system.

[jd4010]

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to run to my local truck repair shop and see if they have new fittings for the lines. Those 90 degree fittings were a PIA to install....so I'm going to get some straight ones and see if that helps.

[Mr. Black]

Most of the leaks I have read about were at the pipe thread fittings going into the bags or improperly cut air lines. That plastic tubing has to be cut perfect with no deformation, burrs, or angled cuts in order to work perfectly.

[Evil Eye]

As was mentioned, check the connection between tube and fitting. Those are the most common places to leak.

[jd4010]

Originally Posted by Mr. Black

Once you add a compressor system there are a lot more possibilites for leaks. It's possible you just flat out have an internal leak in the air command system.

Thank you Mr. Black for the direction! I checked the compressor system and discovered a leak in the tee at the control panel. Firestone used a cheap 1/4" barb fitting for the tee. There were 2 leaks in the connections (and they came from the factory connected). Plus the air guage connection was leaking. I replaced all the connectors with compression fittings and now it holds perfect.

Thank you again!

[Mr. Black]

That's great news.

Glad to hear you got it fixed so now you can enjoy the benefits of the system.

[DevilDocTater]

Mine have been holding 90lbs for the past year, they havent leaked more than a couple pounds......as mentioned a nice square cut on those lines are a key aspect

[jd4010]

Originally Posted by DevilDocTater

Mine have been holding 90lbs for the past year, they havent leaked more than a couple pounds......as mentioned a nice square cut on those lines are a key aspect

Totally agree about the square cut on the lines especially for the quick connect adapters. But oddly enough, these leaks were coming from the factory prepared control panel which has a tee installed for the pressure guage, etc. They use a 1/4" barb tee. The barbs are tiny (practically non-existent) and the the length of the fitting for the line is small. So any pressure on the tee/lines caused leaks. But that was soon fixed with tried and true compression fittings!