Installation Manual

ManualsBrandsFirestone ManualsAir Suspension KitsFirestone Ride-Rite 2560 Ride-Rite Air Helper Spring Kit

2560

PARTS LIST

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

Congratulations — your new Air Helper Springs are

quality products capable of improving the handling and

comfort of your vehicle. As with all products, proper

installation is the key to obtaining all of the benets your

kit is capable of delivering. Please take a few minutes

to read through the instructions to identify the com-

ponents and learn where and how they are used. It

is a good idea to start by comparing the parts in your kit

with the parts list below.

The heart of the air spring kit is, of course, the air

helper springs. Remember that the air helper springs

must ex and expand during operation, so be sure that

there is enough clearance to do so without rubbing

against any other part of the vehicle.

Be sure to take all applicable safety precautions

during the installation of the kit. The instructions listed

in this brochure and the illustrations all show the left,

or driver’s side of the vehicle. To install the right side

assembly simply follow the same procedures.

Your kit includes separate ination valves and air lines

for each air spring. This will allow you to compensate for

unbalanced loads. If you would rather have a single ination

valve system to provide equal pressure to both air springs,

your dealer can supply the optional “T” tting.

IMPORTANT!

For your safety and to prevent possible damage to

your vehicle, do not exceed the maximum load rec-

ommended by the vehicle manufacturer (GVWR).

Although your Air Helper Springs are rated at a maxi-

mum ination pressure of 100 psi, this pressure may

allow you to carry too great a load on some vehicles.

It is best to have your vehicle weighed once it is com-

pletely loaded and compare that weight to the maxi-

mum allowed. Check your vehicle owner’s manual or

data plate on driver side door for maximum loads listed

for your vehicle.

When inating your Air Helper Springs, add air pressure

in small quantities, checking pressure frequently during

ination. The air spring requires much less air volume

than a tire and, therefore, inates much quicker.

AIR SPRING 6401 2

UPPER BRACKET 5740 2

LOWER BRACKET 5370 2

AXLE CLAMP BRACKET 5181 2

HEAT SHIELD 1004 1

22 FT. TUBING 1

3/8"-16 BAIL CLAMP 3292 2

1-13

5/16" FLAT WASHER 4

3/8"-16 X 3/4" FLANGE BOLT 2

3/8"-16 FLANGE NUT 4

3/4"-16 HEX NUT 2

3/4" STAR WASHER 2

10MM X 30MM FLAT HEAD BOLT 4

INFLATION VALVE 3032 2

ELBOW FITTING 3031 2

THERMAL SLEEVE 0899 2

NYLON TIE WRAP 6

CAUTION TAG 2

THIS KIT DOES NOT REQUIRE

DRILLING INTO THE FRAME.

BOLT PACK (A21-760-2560)

WARNING:

Do not inate this assembly when it is

unrestricted. The assembly must be restricted

by the suspension or other adequate

structure. Do not inate beyond 100 psi.

Improper use or over ination may cause

property damage or severe personal injury.

Summary of content (13 pages)

PAGE 1
2560 THIS KIT DOES NOT REQUIRE DRILLING INTO THE FRAME. WARNING: Do not inflate this assembly when it is unrestricted. The assembly must be restricted by the suspension or other adequate structure. Do not inflate beyond 100 psi. Improper use or over inflation may cause property damage or severe personal injury. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS Congratulations — your new Air Helper Springs are quality products capable of improving the handling and comfort of your vehicle.
PAGE 2
560 FIGURE “A” KIT ASSEMBLY PUSH-TO-CONNECT ELBOW FITTING NOTE: Both illustrations are of the left, or driver’s side, of the vehicle. Reverse any orientations when assembling and installing the right, or passenger, side of the vehicle.
PAGE 3
NOTE: Please read thorough this manual completely before installing the air spring kit on your vehicle. STEP 1 — PREPARE THE VEHICLE With the vehicle on a solid, level surface chock the front wheels. Remove the negative battery cable. Your vehicle is equipped with rubber jounce bumpers. The jounce bumpers are bolted to the frame above the axle. Remove the jounce bumpers from the vehicle.
PAGE 4
engine, exhaust pipe, and away from sharp edges. Thermal sleeves have been provided for these conditions. The airline tubing should not be bent or curved sharply as it may buckle. Secure the airline tubing in place with the nylon ties provided. Push the end of the airline tubing into the inflation valve as illustrated, see Figure “E”. STEP 7— CHECK THE AIR SYSTEM Once the inflation valves are installed, inflate the air helper springs to 70 psi and check the fittings for air leaks.
PAGE 5
COMBO STUD NOTICE: THE ALIGNMENT PIN ON THE AIR SPRING MUST BE INSTALLED INTO THE HOLE IN THE UPPER BRACKET. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL CAUSE THE ALIGNMENT PIN TO BE PUSHED INTO THE BEAD PLATE, CREATING AN AIR LEAK, AND RESULTING IN AN AIR SPRING FAILURE THAT IS NOT WARRANTABLE.
PAGE 6
Operating Instructions and Trouble Shooting Guide Thank you for purchasing Firestone air helper springs. You have purchased a quality product from the world’s number one air spring manufacturer. This guide will provide answers to some of your questions regarding the use and operation of your new air helper springs. Following the guidelines in this manual will help provide you with many years of trouble-free service from your Firestone air helper springs.
PAGE 7
SAFETY TIPS Never exceed the manufacturer’s recommended Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) As with your vehicle’s tires, an air helper spring is a pneumatic device that supports a portion of the vehicle’s weight. The air helper spring may fail as a result of punctures, impact damage, improper inflation, improper installation, or improper usage. To reduce the risk of failure, we strongly recommend the following: Never overload your vehicle.
PAGE 8
the suspension system. As more air pressure is added to the air springs, they will support more weight. You will be able to compensate for a heavy load by adding air pressure to the air springs, thereby reducing sway and handling problems associated with a heavily loaded vehicle.
PAGE 9
INFLATING THE AIR SPRINGS With the air helper springs installed on your vehicle and the vehicle sitting on a level surface, visually verify that the vehicle is in a level state. If the vehicle is not level (front-to-back or from side-to-side) it can be brought to a level position by inflating the air springs. Each air spring has a separate inflation valve. To level the vehicle from front-to-back, add air pressure to both air springs in equal amounts.
PAGE 10
AIR SPRING TECHNICAL DATA “X” “X” “X” Reversible Sleeve Part Number 6868 6762 6764 6766 6397 6410 6781 6401 6873 6859 7689 7701 7076 9000 9001 9002 5405 Tapered Sleeve “X” “X” Single Convoluted Double Convoluted 1T Reversible Sleeve Min/Max Air Pressure Max Load @100 psi (per pair) Description Style “X” Ride Height Single Convoluted 160BY 5.0" - 6.0" 5 / 100 psi 3600 lbs Double Convoluted 268C 4.5" - 5.5" 5 / 100 psi 3200 lbs Double Convoluted 267C1.5 5.5" - 6.
PAGE 11
TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE Air spring will not inflate Ensure that the air line tubing is inserted into the air fittings as far as possible. The tubing should go in the fitting 3/4 of an inch. You will feel some resistance when the tubing goes past the o-ring. Clear any dirt of debris from inside the inflation valves.
PAGE 12
WARRANTY QUESTIONS FIRESTONE LIMITED LIFETIME AIR SPRING WARRANTY Firestone Industrial Products Company LLC (“Firestone”) warrants that its Ride Rite Air Spring Assembly will perform according to the manufacturer’s specifications for as long as the vehicle on which the system was originally installed is owned by the original retail purchaser. This limited warranty does not include installation or other service charges for replacement.
PAGE 13
AIR-RITE™ AIR CONTROL SYSTEMS Firestone has expanded the offering of Air-Rite Air Control Systems, which provides an instant air source for air suspension products. Adjust the ride for various load and road conditions with a flip of a switch or even a click on a remote. Individual air accessory components are also available, including compressors, air tanks, and mounting solutions, providing a wide variety of air control assist solutions. Choosing among the Air Command products has now become easier.