BullElk
SILVER Star
My air bags have a small leak. Would flat tire foam be a good option?
Thanks
Thanks
Flat tire foam inside air bags?? Good idea? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter BullElk
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Mike6158
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No. Airbags go off by a sudden (explosive) increase in pressure. Tires leak down and the foam plugs the hole.
I believe he's talking about a different kind of airbag...
And yes I have heard of people using fix a flat in airbags with mixed results. If they're already leaking its worth a try.
Mike6158
Random Pixel Generator
Oh... Yeah... I forgot about those
In my experience the air bags he is talking about go off by a sudden (explosive) decrease in pressure and the fix is to get them the hell off your truck. IMO they're gimmicky and dangerous, and if you need them, then your truck isn't set up correctly for how you're using it.
Prob wont be reliable or worth the effort to use fix-a-flat. Air lift bags are relatively cheap, better off getting some replacement bags if they are available separately; ( where you dont have to buy the lines and hardware etc). I might inspect the line routing to know why the bag failed- these can be pretty reliable if installed correctly.
Actually, want a pair of progressive rate 866s with around 60k on them for the price of shipping? Including Firestone Coil Rite airbags? 
You can always re-index/crank the stock tbars.
You can always re-index/crank the stock tbars.
Mike6158
Random Pixel Generator
Hot patch at a tire shop?
Flat tire FOAM? What product is this? I only know of tire sealant, which is not foamy, more of a thick goopy slime.
I would guess NO.
The goop stuff kinda only works because tire tubes are being contained by a tire, thus making it a double-wall bladder that prevents the breach from opening up under pressure. On a suspension airbag you have nothing to keep the hole from spreading open with exterior support and the slime will ooze out of the hole. Try filling up a bicycle tire tube that's got it inside and has been removed from the wheel/tire, you'll see it still loses pressure at the hole.
Why not simply replace the part? Full airbag kits are less than $300, so I'd imagine just one replacement bag would be under $100.
I would guess NO.
The goop stuff kinda only works because tire tubes are being contained by a tire, thus making it a double-wall bladder that prevents the breach from opening up under pressure. On a suspension airbag you have nothing to keep the hole from spreading open with exterior support and the slime will ooze out of the hole. Try filling up a bicycle tire tube that's got it inside and has been removed from the wheel/tire, you'll see it still loses pressure at the hole.
Why not simply replace the part? Full airbag kits are less than $300, so I'd imagine just one replacement bag would be under $100.
I'm not sure what air bags you are running but the Airlift bags in my truck were under $100 for the whole kit. I see single replacement bags for about $40 although I would recommend replacing both unless you have damaged a relatively new set.
Spray some soapy water, or if it's that large you may be able to find it with your fingers. If you took it off you could likely repair it nicely with flat tire repair products. Youtube has some videos on correctly repairing a tire breach, which is way better than just patching with a plug.
