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 Post subject: ShockWave Air Ride
PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 2:25 pm 
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dLk Iron Chef
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Location: Sprang, TX
I figured I would put this info here.
As most of you know the air ride went out on the way home from the night show. This is what I discovered....
I removed the offending shock for inspection. I found a hole in the bag, towards the bottom, where it rolls over on itself when collapsed. The most confusing part about the blow out was where the hole was, and why was it spewing oil. I removed the bag and discovered that the internal hydraulic dampener(Shock) was leaking fluid into the bag area. The top part of the shock housing had come loose after 6 years of use and oil was able to seep past the threads and coat the inside of the bag and settle into the pocket that is created where it rolls onto itself. I was able to easily unscrew the lid with my fingers, that's how loose it was. The oil and the rubber compound of the bag didn't mix well and caused the bag to deteriorate from the inside out. So now I need to contact Ride Tech and see what their response is to how to seal the shock and what is the part number for the bag so I can get that ordered. Mike brought up a good point too.....The oil light have traveled through the lines to the other bag. It isn't a left/right separated system. Only front to back. So now I need to remove the other shock and disassemble it and wash it out with some soapy water for good measure. I'll post up any more info as I get it......

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 Post subject: Re: ShockWave Air Ride
PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 3:58 pm 
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dLk Redneck
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Id give Eliot a ring he has 4 of them on his shelf maybe he would sale you one.

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 Post subject: Re: ShockWave Air Ride
PostPosted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 7:47 pm 
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Location: Spring,Texas
Just went through some old posts over on KCW. They actually a little less then 5 years old. First pic I posted of them installed was 11/18/06. If I remember correctly it was a Sunday morning , because the last Niftee50's was the night before. The car has had maybe 4000 miles put on it since they were installed. I was diggin through some posts on Ridetech's forum regarding warranty and the seem like they are pretty helpful. I would give them a call tomorrow and see what the can do for you. The problem you described to me sounds like a manufacturing defect. Who knows, maybe they will hook ya up with a new set. If they need installation pics, I'm pretty sure there are some on my thread.

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Mike Ehmann
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 Post subject: Re: ShockWave Air Ride
PostPosted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:25 am 
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dLk Iron Chef
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I have already been in contact with them. I'll le ya know what gets resolved. So far they have been good to deal with.

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 Post subject: Re: ShockWave Air Ride
PostPosted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 6:31 pm 
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dLk Iron Chef
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Location: Sprang, TX
Update:
Firestone no longer manufactures the Air Spring that I need. AirRide said they changed their design about 2 years ago to use the new style bag and don't support what I have anymore. They have a "trade in" program that will give me $200 credit towards a new set. Total including shipping is gonna be around $422. And I need to fill the nitrogen tank...$15 more. Damn it cost money to look cool!

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 Post subject: Re: ShockWave Air Ride
PostPosted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 6:34 pm 
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dLk Hill-Billy
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Location: Spring Texas
sounds like time for a static lowering job and ditch the airride.

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 Post subject: Re: ShockWave Air Ride
PostPosted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 6:45 pm 
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Sounds like you and Mike just traded issues. :thumbs:

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 Post subject: Re: ShockWave Air Ride
PostPosted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 6:47 pm 
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dLk Iron Chef
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69vduber wrote:
Sounds like you and Mike just traded issues. :thumbs:

Yup....No way of know either thing was gonna happen. But that's why its a hobby......

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 Post subject: Re: ShockWave Air Ride
PostPosted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:24 pm 
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Location: Tomball, Texas
Dlicious wrote:
Update:
Firestone no longer manufactures the Air Spring that I need. AirRide said they changed their design about 2 years ago to use the new style bag and don't support what I have anymore. They have a "trade in" program that will give me $200 credit towards a new set. Total including shipping is gonna be around $422. And I need to fill the nitrogen tank...$15 more. Damn it cost money to look cool!



If you have and exchange tank, I might be able to help on the nitrogen.

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 Post subject: Re: ShockWave Air Ride
PostPosted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 8:53 pm 
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I would suggest going with a "bag" setup, which is cheaper to replace a bag over a shockwave. Placing an onboard compressor so no need to keep refilling. It's alittle more work to weld in the brackets but the cost is less when you have to start replacing pieces. Here's my site if you just need some pricing on parts:
http://qasp7.wxkx6.servertrust.com/?Click=518

I'll be more then glad to help ya out, even provide diagrams and tips if you wanna go that route

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