Instruction Manual

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0830

21-8165 10-11 NCD-5994-7

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 beneﬁts your kit is capable

of delivering. Please take a few minutes to read through

the instructions to identify the components 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 Helper Spring kit is, of course,

the air helper springs. Remember that the air helper

springs must ﬂex 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.

This kit includes inﬂation valves and air lines for

each air spring. This will allow you to compensate for

unbalanced loads. If you would rather have a single inﬂa-

tion valve system to provide equal pressure to both air

springs, your dealer can supply the optional "T" ﬁtting.

IMPORTANT!

For your safety and to prevent possible damage

to your vehicle, do not exceed the maximum load

recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (GVWR).

Although your Air Helper Springs are rated at a maximum

inﬂation 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 completely loaded

and compare that weight to the maximum allowed. Check

your vehicle owner’s manual or data plate on driver's side

door for maximum loads listed for your vehicle.

When inﬂating your Air Helper Springs, add air pres-

sure in small quantities, checking pressure frequently

during inﬂation. The air spring requires much less air

volume than a tire and, therefore, inﬂates much quicker.

NOTE:

This kit will ﬁt several different van models. From Fig-

ures “B” & “C”, identify the jounce bumper setup

your vehicle has. Follow the corresponding instruc-

tions to remove the jounce bumper. If the jounce

bumper is bolted to the bottom of the frame, remove

the bolts and discard the jounce bumper.

STEP 1 — PREPARE THE VEHICLE

Remove the negative battery cable. Remove the jounce

bumper as noted see Figures “B” & “C”. With the vehicle

on a solid, level surface, chock the right-side wheels.

Raise the left side of the vehicle by the frame and remove

the left rear wheel. After the removal of the wheel, lower

the vehicle so the frame rests on jack stands rated for

your vehicles weight. Adjust the jack stands so that the

vehicle is held as high as possible.

WARNING:

Do not inﬂate this assembly when it is

unrestricted. The assembly must be

restricted by the suspension or other

adequate structure. Once installed, do not

inﬂate beyond 100 psi. Improper use or over

inﬂation may cause property damage or

severe personal injury.

AIR SPRING 6859 2

UPPER BRACKET 0828 2

ANGLED ADAPTER 0861 2

UPPER BRACKET BRACE 0821 2

SLEEVE – 3-1/2" 0823 4

SLEEVE – 3/8" 0941 4

90 DEGREE ADAPTER 0921 2

LOWER BRACKET 1162 2

AXLE STRAP 5077 4

AIR LINE TUBING 1

PUSH-TO-CONNECT INFLATION VALVE 2

PUSH-TO-CONNECT ELBOW FITTING 2

HEAT SHIELD 1

3/8" -16 X 3/4" HEX BOLT 6

3/8" -24 X 2-1/2" RIBBED NECK BOLT 8

3/8" -16 HEX NUT 4

3/8" -24 HEX NUT 10

3/8" FLAT WASHER 2

1/4" X 20 X 4-1/2" HEX BOLT 4

1/4" -20 HEX NUT 4

1/4" LOCK WASHER 4

1/4" FLAT WASHER 8

5/16" FLAT WASHER 4

NYLON TIE 6

THERMAL SLEEVE 2

CAUTION TAG 2

PARTS LIST

Summary of content (12 pages)

PAGE 1
0830 WARNING: Do not inflate this assembly when it is unrestricted. The assembly must be restricted by the suspension or other adequate structure. Once installed, 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
0830 Figure “A” KIT TO FRAME ASSEMBLY NOTE: Both illustrations are of the left, or driver’s side, of the vehicle. Reverse any orientations when installing the right, or passenger’s side assembly.
PAGE 3
STEP 2—PRE-ASSEMBLE THE KIT Install the push-to-connect elbow fitting in the top of the air spring. Tighten the fitting securely to engage the orange thread sealant. Position the fitting so that it points toward the inside of the vehicle see Figures “A” & “E”. The elbow should be installed so that it does not point toward the exhaust pipe. Align the threaded studs on the air spring with the slots in the upper bracket.
PAGE 4
Select a location on the vehicle for the air inflation valves. The location can be on the bumper or the body of the vehicle, as long as it is in a protected location so the valve will not be damaged, but maintain accessibility for the air chuck see Figure “E”. Drill a 5/16” hole and install the air inflation valve using two 5/16” flat washers per valve as supports see Figure “F”.
PAGE 5
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 6
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 7
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 8
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 9
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 10
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 11
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 12
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.