Date:         Wed, 14 Mar 2001 10:27:57 +0000
Reply-To:     radish150 <radish150@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         radish150 <radish150@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      To unite, or separate (the air bags)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; x-mac-type="54455854";
              x-mac-creator="4D4F5353"

> Chris,
> How did you install Air Lift shocks into your Van?
> I went through the Gabriel shock book 4 times, and measured and fit, but
> to no avail---the shocks were to big in diameter to fit between the
> mounts and the inner fender well.
> Another question---
> How could air shift from side to side, when they are both holding the
> same air pressure?
> Been using air shocks,& air bags for years, and they have always been
> connected together, so they would be exactly equal, in pressure.
> Cadillac Fleetwood's  have been using a load levelling  air shock for
> years, and they are always tied together to keep the rear end of the car
> level.
> Interesting concept, but bizarre.
> I tied my air lines to my bags together, and they work fine.
> Later,
>
With the units tied together "so they would be exactly equal in pressure", the
issue becomes one of "system pressure pre load" and how this relates to the rolling
forces. If the pressure is already pre loaded to be relatively high as compared to
the rolling force, then the system would work fine even though they are connected
and some of the rolling force is transferred to the "high side". This seems like
something Cadillac would do since they are not known for being extremely interested
in cars that corner flat (to say the least). Though it would be very easy though
for the system to be of a low enough pressure so that when the rolling force pushed
down on the one bag, the pre load would be so inconsequential as to render the
whole system useless.

Independent pressures is without a doubt more effective. That way almost any pre
load pressure, even a low one, will have some affect on the rolling of the vehicle,
because it is not being bled off to the high side where a vacuum is being created
because of bladder expansion. Being tied together NECESSARILY contributes to less
stability, not more.

Sorry, I don't have a degree in engineering, so I can't say this in such a way that
no one understands what I'm saying ;).

mark...