Troubleshooting Leaking Firestone Air Bag Problem in 2008 Chevrolet Uplander

Question:

I had my local mechanic install the air spring helper kit on my Uplander at considerable expense. They do good work and felt confident about the installation. The lines are secured to the frame with zip ties away from heat and moving parts with the valves located inside the wheel wells in front of the rear tires and are easily accessible. The installation happened on Friday and they were holding air through the weekend. When I returned on Sunday on a short drive with my camper I notice there was no pressure in the right side. The spring helpers were inflated to just under 25lb psi which seemed just right in leveling the van with my small camper which has a max tongue weight of 200lb. Im bringing it back to my mechanic on Wednesday and have 3 questions. 1 Where should he start troubleshooting? 2 Will he have to completely remove the rear axle and springs to check the system? 3 Since one unit is essentially flat should I reduce the pressure on the other to the minimum? Thank you.

asked by: John S

Expert Reply:

Thank you for your purchase of Firestone Coil-Rite Air Helper Springs # F4155 for your 2008 Chevrolet Uplander.

I suggest your mechanic begin his troubleshooting at the bag that deflated. If he inflates the bag to about 30-psi (near its 35-psi maximum) and applies soapy water to all connection points and the bag surface too he can check for air leaks. It is not necessary to remove the system from the Uplander to do this testing. The same test can be done wherever he can access the air tubing, connection points and the valves.

Often tubing cuts that are not perfectly square are a cause for leaks. We offer part # AL10530 to make nice, clean cuts for the best possible seal.

It is a good idea, as you suggest, to reduce the pressure in the functioning bag to its 5-psi minimum until the other bag is holding pressure.

expert reply by: Adam R