Airlift Airbags leaking!!

10320 Views 36 Replies 13 Participants Last post by thebab, Jan 1, 2008

RobKar

Discussion Starter · Dec 13, 2007 (Edited)

Here is the deal,

I get in my truck a few days ago and my compressor starts to pump when I turn the key on. Humm... first clue. So I continue on and the pump would come on every now and then... A LEAK .... CRAP!

I went to investigate the problem I found that 1 bag was leaking air because of a cut in the side of the bag. I looked at the passenger’s side as well and found cuts on both sides of that bag as well but not leaking yet. I then looked for the source of the problem (what created the cut) and noticed that the bracket has a sharp edge where the bag touches when deflated to 10PSI.

If you have Airlift bags take a look and see if you have cuts as well...

I contacted Airlift so we will see what customer service brings and I will report it here. Lifetime Warranty so this should be covered but we will see.

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bbomar

· #2 · Dec 13, 2007

So, it's own bracket cut into the bags!?!? Wow!!

Can you say design flaw!!! :rofl:

Blackbeauty

· #3 · Dec 13, 2007

Oh, great! Now watch them go and blame an Engineer! It was the checker! That's it! He missed it on the original schematic drawings! Or the draftsman! He never backchecked the checkprints! Wait... Maybe the cleaning crew threw out the revised drawings by mistake. I'm sure there's a logical explanation for all of this....

Bottomline: That sux! Hope they make it right for you... and redesign the bag bed plate, for crying out loud.....

P's Titan

· #4 · Dec 13, 2007

just dont go over any whoppie doos and u should be fine :rofl:

good thing you found it and hopefully they take care of your problem

Walrus

· #5 · Dec 13, 2007

Please tell me they aren't made in China.

37L1

· #6 · Dec 13, 2007

Probably made in FRANCE.

RobKar

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 13, 2007

I got my first response from Airlift:

To get new bags you can go through us to purchase them or one of our dealers. If you were to purchase the bags from us the cost would be $78.00 per side, our dealers can sell for less than that. Although you are still within your warranty period this would not be something we consider a manufacturer defect of the bag. The bags shouldn’t hit the lower bracket like that, it is possible there isn’t enough air pressure in the bags or not enough mounting height. How heavy is the load that you carry and at what air pressure do you keep your bags at? Thank you for including pictures and your receipt it was very helpful. Please let me know of any questions that you have.

I responded with this email below...

You did not include a phone number so that I could call to discuss the problem but I can respond here.

Look closely at the design of the bracket and the cut on the bag. You will see that it matched exactly the cut out of the bracket. The normal load in the truck ~95% of the time is empty thus the minimal bag pressure is 10PSI. I know this because I have the safety system set so the compressor would pump up the bags if the pressure gets below 10PSI. When I do have a load I increase the pressure to level the truck. I have not used my TT or had a load in my truck for over 6 months where I would need to use the bags.

Weird that this would not be a warranty issue considering that the sharp edge on the bracket is what is doing the cutting on both sides of the truck and both sides of the bag. Is it your final answer that the bags this would not be covered under warranty or can we discuss this?

One question you did not answer is about the bracket and the sharp edges that are cutting the bag. Would I need to replace the bracket or grind off the sharp edge?

----
If you have Airlift bags please check if you see this problem with you bags. THANKS

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bbomar

· #8 · Dec 14, 2007

Oh gee, you don't happen to have their website link, and or their email link, do you??

I think a huge emailing from truck owners asking if this defect (of their own design) would not be covered under their lifetime warranty, could cause a large "word of mouth" campaign against their product....

I wonder what their answer would be then?????

krh2

· #9 · Dec 14, 2007

I'm gonna have to check mine out. Mine are at 10 psi most of the time unless towing my boat or TT. $78 a piece and not covered?!!! BS!

RobKar

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 14, 2007

bbomar said:
Oh gee, you don't happen to have their website link, and or their email link, do you??

I think a huge emailing from truck owners asking if this defect (of their own design) would not be covered under their lifetime warranty, could cause a large "word of mouth" campaign against their product....

I wonder what their answer would be then?????

Lets just see the response I get and we can go from there.

RobKar

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 14, 2007

krh2 said:
I'm gonna have to check mine out. Mine are at 10 psi most of the time unless towing my boat or TT. $78 a piece and not covered?!!! BS!

Your close to me ... I would love to have a look at your airbags and take a couple of pictures if you have cuts in yours. When did you install your bags?

Let me know

Leadsled124

· #12 · Dec 14, 2007

If they dont honor it type up an email and we will all copy it and change to our name about spreading the word to not buy thier products. They should clearly fix this with no charge and a gift certificate for their products for the inconvienence of their desighn flaw. They should pay installation too, even though you could do it yourself

Derwud

· #13 · Dec 14, 2007

Rob, Give us the contact info.. I have a set of those airbags as well.

RobKar

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 14, 2007

Derwud said:
Rob, Give us the contact info.. I have a set of those airbags as well.

Check your bags and let me know what you see. I will be up your way this weekend Christmas party's and all. I grew up in San Marino so I know the area well. I could take a look and see how yours look.

I will put out the word if this is not covered. Hell I have been a HUGE advocate for Airlift so I would certainty have to correct that.

krh2

· #15 · Dec 16, 2007

RobKar said:
Your close to me ... I would love to have a look at your airbags and take a couple of pictures if you have cuts in yours. When did you install your bags?

Let me know

RK, just looked at mine. Driver side is fine. Passenger side has a nice little ***** out of it on the inside, though not leaking yet. I think Tuesday (day off) I will dremel the flanges off those brackets. PM me if you want to hook up.
Kevin

helomech

· #16 · Dec 16, 2007

Sorry to hear about your bags. Makes me glad I bought the firestone bags. Been on for over 2 years with no problems.

RobKar

Discussion Starter · #17 · Dec 16, 2007

krh2 said:
RK, just looked at mine. Driver side is fine. Passenger side has a nice little ***** out of it on the inside, though not leaking yet. I think Tuesday (day off) I will dremel the flanges off those brackets. PM me if you want to hook up.
Kevin

When you get a chance shoot a picture please.
You should have that bag replaced as well. Ill mention this when I call on Monday.

I called Friday but go no response. If I do not get a response by Monday I will post the information.

MuskyHunter

· #18 · Dec 16, 2007

Seems like a stupid design for that bracket. I see no reason why that notch needs to be there. Continuing the curvature to the front of the bracket would seem to solve their problem.

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Derwud

· #19 · Dec 16, 2007

RobKar said:
Check your bags and let me know what you see. I will be up your way this weekend Christmas party's and all. I grew up in San Marino so I know the area well. I could take a look and see how yours look.

I will put out the word if this is not covered. Hell I have been a HUGE advocate for Airlift so I would certainty have to correct that.

Sorry I didn't check this thread earlier, but here are some pics.
Left side

Right Side

It looks like the tabs are there to keep the u-bolts in place, but need to be trimed.

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krh2

· #20 · Dec 16, 2007

RobKar said:
When you get a chance shoot a picture please.
You should have that bag replaced as well. Ill mention this when I call on Monday.

I called Friday but go no response. If I do not get a response by Monday I will post the information.

I'll try to post a pic or two tomorrow or Tuesday. I see no reason for the tabs either.

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