1999 Contessa Magnum B-Series Air Bag Ride Height Settings

[Mike Gineris]

I'm looking for the published Air Bag Height settings for a 1999 Contessa Naples. I've replaced all 8 Bags including manifolds, bleed valves and now the three Haldex Valves.  The Magnum 8 Bag spec sheet says 10" for front and rear, but the original linkage is too short for the Front which makes me question the value. Your thoughts?

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Mike
The B series Magnum chassis ride height is set at 10" both front and rear.

If you go to coach assist to and then to brochures for almost all Beaver coaches then pick Safari Motor Coach corporation 1994-2001
Then go to miscellaneous diagrams and fixes then go down to near the bottom of the articles where you will find a page on ride height
Specs, how to measure and adjustments.

Eric

[Steve Huber]

Mike,
"Coach Assist / Chassis Manuals / Air Bag Height Settings" may be helpful.
Steve

[Mike Gineris]

Eric, Steve,
Thank you for validating the values.  I'm still confused as the why the Front original linkage (vertical rod) is 2" too short.  All good.  I can make it work.

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Mike
The replacement ride height valves are seldom calibrated the same 
It is common to have the same valve for right and left side of the coach ( inverted lever facing forward instead of backward) to work which makes the valve work in the opposite rotation so if the valve was not calibrated to its center position it would not have the same set point.
If any of that makes any sense to you.
Remember when installing the valves that the supply connection has a check valve in it to keep the air in the bags from going back to the tank if the supply tank is depleted and the valve tries to add air to the bags.

1) make sure the arrow on the rotary spindle points to the lever and linkage.

I believe your coach is equipped with Haldex. Ride height control valves here is a link to their description and install procedures.

https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:5ed8da5f-99c5-450b-83da-384fd18cada7

Hope this helps
Eric

[Mike Gineris]

Eric,

You're right.  I not only had different orientations, but different valves in each location and the only one installed correctly was the Original Haldex on the drivers side rear.  I now have three new Haldex Valves installed as intended with Arrows pointed correctly and Linkage at right angles.

Eight New Bags, Manifolds, Air Bleed Valves and Ride Height Valves.  Still have a LEAK and it bleeds down in just a few hours.  I plan to move on to the Governor and look for an Air Dryer which I think I don't have. 

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Mike
which tank or gauge goes down first the green or the orange .
A couple of other places to look
1) check the air control valve for the step well block off slide, if the slide cylinder is leaking internally the control valve will be constantly exhausting a small
    amount of air.
2)) check the exhaust brake solenoid to make sure it isn't leaking a little internally.

3) check the air dryer purge valve at the bottom of the air dryer

4) check the foot brake treadle valve for small leaks at the plunger and at the vent below

5) check for leaks at the compressor air governor

If your leaks seem to still be in the air suspension you could install shut off valves at the tank to isolate which circuit is leaking front or rear.
There are two supply lines (blue) from the tank they each run to the cross member above the transmission where you will find a pair of Haldex air pressure regulators ( set at 70 PSI ) from there one line runs to the rear ride height valve and the other runs to the front ride height valve.
When looking for leaks those pressure regulators are often over looked.
Also the air manifolds for the air bags are a plastic manifold with push fittings which often leak they can be replaced with several brass DOT compression fittings.

Hope some of this helps
Eric

[Mike Gineris]

So sorry Eric for the late reply!  I just noticed the message.  I'm 63 and and still work a 40+ hour week so time is precious. I replaced all air bag manifolds (Leaks at ALL of them) with DOT compression fittings a couple weeks ago.  Both green and orange drop together...I think.  I don't think I have an Air Dryer at least I have yet to find it and I know it's a good 10 inches in diameter.  I know your coach is very much like mine and I can't say enough how thankful I am for the advice! I will check the Governor (attached to compressor inboard of battery tray I think), Regulators, Exhaust Brake, and Slide Cylinder....Lot's of stuff but I'm learning as I go and that's fabulous.  Nice to understand functionality.

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Michael
Your air dryer should be mounted just behind the battery bank and looks like this .


https://beaveramb.org/forum/index.php/topic,11681.msg78301.html#msg78301

Eris

[Mike Gineris]

I see the lines running up to it but can't see the compressor/governor or Air Dryer.  Very challenging area to see.  Will try from inside the coach under the bed.

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Mike the air governor should be mounted to the side of the compressor or possibly remote mounted with smaller air lines connecting it to the compressor.
It looks like this.

https://www.fleetpride.com/parts/bendix-compressor-governor-275491n?shopping=true&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnPS-BhBxEiwAZjMF0hMV2692HSxtYPdEiDl5Gb5Ak9qm69iMLnSEdEcTimJG9nb8B_9guBoCNu4QAvD_BwE

The air dryer should be mounted on the passenger side out board of the frame rails to the rear of the battery compartment.
There should be a braided stainless air line about as big around as your thumb which runs from the compressor to the dryer.

Air dryer

https://www.fleetpride.com/parts/haldex-air-dryer-da33100x?shopping=true&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnPS-BhBxEiwAZjMF0iM7qfKsV3ZcfqrkxXJk1qtBZYQH2YtZrZzfzIsBiKzNIgijlECA3RoC3RYQAvD_BwE


Hope this helps
Eric

[Mike Gineris]

There is no Air Dryer installed on my coach.  Still searching for source of air leak.

[Eric Maclean Co-Admin]

Mike
Does you coach have air over hydraulic brakes or is it hydraulic assist using the power steering pump for power assist?
It's been my experience that some of the coaches which only used air for ride height.  Ie ( no air brakes) didn't have an air dryer.

Eric

[Mike Gineris]

I didn't even know that was a thing.  I do have hydraulic assist using the power steering pump for power assist.  I inspected and found the line running to the brake from the Power Steering.  I'm guessing that's evidence enough?  I still have air powered parking brakes and an alarm that sounds.  I ran up the pressure and turned off the Engine then turned the key on to pump the brake and bring down the pressure but there was no pressure decrease when I pressed the brake pedal.  I feel that's evidence enough.  The air leak(s) have been found and I only have one pesky compression fitting at a Haldex valve that still allows 10 psi drop over 10 hours but I think I'm OK with that.

I almost feel good that I don't have Air Brakes and the system is much less complex.  I don't know if my feelings are misguided.

I very much value your responses Eric.  Thank you!