Rant number 2....

[ryanhewitt]

Well unfortunately I've purchased another product that's not up to par. A little background, I was going through the process of trying to figure out the route to take regarding the carrying of extra gear/ sagging suspension on my 01 TJ. It was either going to be air bags or an OME system. Since I like keeping the vehicle in the garage, I needed to keep the height stock, since I've got a rack. So air bags it was. I purchased a basic Air Lift kit (Air Lift 1000). I installed it per manufacturers instructions, and ended up blowing a hose off the passenger side bag. I re-attached the hose and the next thing I know I've got another leak. This time the bag came apart at the seam......... please realize that the install is 2 weeks old, and the vehicle has been driven 2 times since the install (once only on the road).

Before I hear all the backlash about contacting the manufacturer, yes I will make the call on Tuesday.

This is extremely disappointing. Sure I'll contact Air Lift and maybe they'll send a new bag, but when will that one fail? (Air Lift monitoring this board, please chime in....). I've seen this before. A certain nation wide chain parts store guarantees their starters and alternators for life. Well I replaced a whole lot of Mexican starters and alternators that failed at the worst time.

There, done.

 

[Karma]

HI,
You are putting us at a disadvantage. We don't know what you bought, what the alternatives are, how much you paid and how much the best systems cost.

The fact that you continue to buy "Mexican" starters despite bad reliability multiple times tells me you are into saving money on even very important things like alternators and starters. It also tells me that you are not willing to buy the quality stuff which always costs more. And then you complain about getting junk.

I can understand your frustration but, ultimately, the problem may be you. If I am wrong, please correct me.

Sparky

 

[1speed]

I've been running those bags under my 05 LJ on road/off road and pulling my Teardrop for 25,000 miles with no problems.

 

[ryanhewitt]

Um, okay

Sparky, thanks for stepping up. What I bought was an Air Lift 1000 (as I stated). The alternative that would fit my application, was the OME (Old Man Emu) system (as I stated). Cost is a simple internet search. The bags are ~ $90, the OME system ~ $700.

Please read my post. I don't continue to purchase Mexican. The wording is past-tense. I do try and purchase quality products. The route that I took ended with 2 choices. One was a lot more money. Again, as I stated, the money wasn't an issue. I wanted the vehicle to fit in the garage. I grew up in a machine shop, so I know what a quality product is.

I don't think this "problem is with me". And yeah, most people know that New Mexico in the United States..........

 

[mudbutt]

I have Air-Lift bags on my '07 Sierra 4x4 with a 6" lift. I tow a 13,000 lb (yes, 6-1/2 tons) 5th wheel trailer (that's dry weight BTW, loaded I'm probably closer to 18,000 lbs./9 tons) They have been flawless for almost 3 years now and I tow that trailer off road in the desert.

Could it be that the blown air line was not installed properly? I'm not questioning your abilities as a mechanic, but sometimes even the best miss something critical....

As far as the bag going south on you.... (most) manufacturers do try thier best at quality control. But I guarantee you there are VERY few that achieve %100.....

I'm sure they will warranty the bad bag. Throw the new one on there and know that the bad bag you got was a fluke.

I understand your frustration tho... I hate doing the same job twice. Especially when it's not your fault.

 

[ryanhewitt]

Thanks

Thanks mudbutt. The blown line I'm going with the clamp that came with the kit. Upon further inspection (after removing the bags), I noticed that ID on the hose clamps was different comparing left and right. The line was installed per the instructions/common sense. The line was pushed all the way over the barb, and the clamp was installed over that. I think you summed it up, it's a fluke and I'll just have to move on.

 

[Hilldweller]

I tried Airlifts on my JK; they worked great until I hit the trail. Poof; the line came off the left one.
I tried all manners of re-installation with them without success.
They just had no flex appeal.

I finally installed donor springs from an Unlimited with a tow package, the stiffest springs available for a JK; that did the trick perfectly.
In fact, I like the spring rate so much that I only installed a Teraflex puck lift with shocks when I decided to lift it later. Very comfy ride, even with the trailer.

 

[ryanhewitt]

Update

Hilldweller, thanks for the input. I did the same thing, used Rubicon Unlimited springs (stiffest I read), and still need a little help. I'm not on the bumpstops, but it sags.

I contacted Air Lift today and the customer service was great. They're sending a new bag (free of charge), and because the bag failed so early they would like it back so they can look at it. They are including a prepaid mailer for the bag as well. Nice to see they're investigating why it failed, and simply not just shipping a new bag. My fingers are crossed that I'll be done now....

 

[86cj]

I have used Air Lift bags on 3 vehicles for over 15 years with no issues at all. My 2004 LJ has been pushing the rear bumpstop into the little bag for 6 years now, so good so far. I used them to get around the fact that nobody made LJ specific rear lift springs in 2004, they worked so good as of now I am still using them. Look for some Variable rate or cargo coils from Moog or somebody, with no lift it should be easy.

I am going to try AEV springs just because the rears are variable rate........

 

[78Bronco]

You get what you pay for... The hose clamps and barbs should have been tossed as soon as you open the box because they are crap.

http://www.smcusa.com/sections/products/fittings_tubings.asp

As for the split bag...it happens.

 

[JPK]

I have used Air Lift bags on 3 vehicles for over 15 years with no issues at all. My 2004 LJ has been pushing the rear bumpstop into the little bag for 6 years now, so good so far. I used them to get around the fact that nobody made LJ specific rear lift springs in 2004, they worked so good as of now I am still using them. Look for some Variable rate or cargo coils from Moog or somebody, with no lift it should be easy.

I am going to try AEV springs just because the rears are variable rate........

OME rear LJ springs are variable rate. I have the former "HD" version, ie. the version for a hard top LJ, but a poster hear has written that OME recently came out with a SD or a real HD rear spring.

My springs are fine for a carrying a load in the LJ or towing a small, light trailer on road, but with a full load in the rear I hit the bump stops too often off road.

I have an AEV 4.5" lift on my JKU. Damn, it is NICE! Ride, handling, steering, cornering... ALL improved, and that is with 37" tires too. Can't say enough goo things about AEV stuff.

JPK

 

[Ford Prefect]

A certain nation wide chain parts store guarantees their starters and alternators for life. Well I replaced a whole lot of Mexican starters and alternators that failed at the worst time.

I know what you mean. I believe I got my starter from that same place. Sure they replace them for free, but I still end up under the jeep swapping the thing out every TWO years, and I RARELY drive the jeep! Such is life I guess.

The fact that you continue to buy "Mexican" starters despite bad reliability multiple times tells me you are into saving money on even very important things like alternators and starters. It also tells me that you are not willing to buy the quality stuff which always costs more. And then you complain about getting junk.

I can understand your frustration but, ultimately, the problem may be you. If I am wrong, please correct me.

Sparky

Sparky, I presume that he is saying that he has replaced the 'mexican' parts with more 'mexican' parts because that is what the life time warranty provides him when he takes the broken one back. Same as mine.

Cheers

 

[ryanhewitt]

Hmmm

78Bronco, on the bags that you've seen the barbs come out? On my bags the barbs are glued/integrated into the bag.

 

[ryanhewitt]

Follow up....

Well I received the replacement airbag on Monday (9/13), sent the failed one back, and installed the replacement on Friday (9/17). Went for a fairly easy drive yesterday, came home and checked the pressure - 0 psi. Put some air in the system and heard a leak coming from the new bag. Jacked the vehicle up, pulled the wheel, set the vehicle on jack stands, and dropped the suspension (I'm getting a lot of practice in this area). I pulled the bag and after inspecting it found out that it's coming apart at the same seam as the one I sent back..................

I don't know what I'm going to do at this point. I'll contact Air Lift again and see what they say, and maybe hope the 3rd one's a charm?

Or I may cut my losses (not some much the $, but time and frustration), puchase the OME suspension, deal with reconfiguring my parking situation, and become another person that gives the airbag option 2 thumbs down.

Any thoughts, or comments?

 

[Scott Brady]

I prefer the simplicity of the OME. A good kit