2007 Patriot Thunder Air Bags

[Bill Heffernan]

I've read the many threads on air bags unfortunately none that specifically talk about the 2007 Patriot Thunder. We have a fairly significant leak that has a listing to the driver's side after 3 days in camp. Does anyone know if the air bags that are installed on the 2007 are different from the 2006 and prior? Any recommendation on places to acquire new bags? I am searching for a an installer near Salt Lake City, but have not ruled on doing the job myself. Any and all advice welcome. Thanks

[Richard Davis]

Bill
Have you verified that it is actually the air springs that are leaking?  Most air leaks are traced back to air line leaks, ride height valve leaks or (if you have air leveling) the air leveling manifolds.  The air springs do wear out and leak, but they are not the most common items.  Have you sprayed everything with soap solution to determine what's leaking?
Richard

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

Bill
Richard mentions checking for the leak with soap water and spray bottle.  I agree, we had a leak and fount it was the air line to the towed connect which had been run between frame rails and got mashed.  Easy fix but not if you dont have proper blocking and jack stands.  You can get mashed. 
We now have an air spring that is bad at Passanger rear. Should be ‘Wo13589376’.  I put that number just like that in Google search and got a variety of suppliers and prices.  Will still check the number on the bag to verify.  Good luck.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Bill,
Disregard my previous inputs. The 06-09 Marquis and Patriot Thunders with the RR10-S chassis used the Continental AS8897 or Firestone W01-358-8897 bags in all 10 positions. My error was thinking the Patriot and Thunders used the same chassis.
(I've removed the list I posted earlier and will repost when I get it corrected).
Steve

[Bill Heffernan]

Thanks everyone. I have not done the dish soap solution spray, but I should. Strangely, this has been an ongoing and progressively worse issue, but I re-set and leveled the coach 3 days and it hasn't moved. Should we get to replacement stage, I appreciate the help with the part number and other recommendations. 

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

Thanks again Steve!!

[Richard Davis]

Bill
You said that you leveled the coach and it stayed for 3 days.  Did you level it with air leveling or hydraulic leveling?  If you leveled it with air leveling and it stayed for 3 days, then your manifolds and air springs are relatively leak free.  I would start looking elsewhere to locate your air leaks. 
Richard

[Bill Heffernan]

Richard, I used the hydraulic jacks. I have not been able to use the air system in several months because of the air leak. Thanks

[Bill Heffernan]

Thanks again everyone. I confirmed yesterday that the 2 rear outside drivers side bags are leaking. The rest of them are also looking rough. With some longer trips planned in the next couple of years its time to replace them all. Steve, the measurements for the Continental and Firestone lined up perfectly to the bags on the coach. Our local Speedco, will replace them for a $150/each which seems fairly reasonable and was much less than the local mechanic that I had been using. Thanks again!

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

Just a side bar here.  Found a reference in the owners manual that says the air springs are made by Contitech.  Ours are W013589376 in all positions.

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

Correction…
The shop now states the front bags have a different air connector than the rear bags so the w013588897 (Firestone number) or AS8897 Contitac number will work.  I suspect our chassis conforms more to the 2006 layout than the 2007 as shown in the download from Steve.