Air bag repair?

[93 W350 LE]

Has anyone repaired a leakng airbag with success? Somehow the top mount has rubbed a hole in my passenge side front bag, can't afford to replace right now so I got a tire plug kit. Plugged it today and put 30# in the tanks. Guess we will see how it holds up.

Eric

[93 W350 LE]

So far so good, holding since yesterday. 60 miles round trip, with some dirt road.

Eric

[93 W350 LE]

FAIL!! Bag let me down yesterday afternoon. Will have to find the leak again, as the plug is still in place.
Amy suggestions, or is replacement the only option?
Thanks.

Eric

[ellis93]

Whenever the fords had just having problems with their air bags on Lincolns an such,there were companies that offered a repair service.....I know that may not be helpful info for your application but you could search that fact out and see how they repaired them

[93 W350 LE]

Anyone know how I can identify my bag or get a part # to replace it? All I know is it is a Firestone bag with about a 3/4" hose going into the top from a tank under my radiator core support. I know my rear set up is a Kelderman Compuride, but unsure of the fronts.
Thanks.

Eric

[JimmieD]

This is not based on direct experience - but it would seem to me you'd be better off to use a tire patch instead of a plug, or grind down the bit of plug that extends beyond hole and add a patch on top of it too? I imagine it would be difficult to apply pressure to patch while it cures but possibly you could wrap a cinch strap around the bag and tighten it down to press on patch while glue sets.

NAPA carries all sizes and types of tire patches, glue etc.

[93 W350 LE]

This is not based on direct experience - but it would seem to me you'd be better off to use a tire patch instead of a plug, or grind down the bit of plug that extends beyond hole and add a patch on top of it too? I imagine it would be difficult to apply pressure to patch while it cures but possibly you could wrap a cinch strap around the bag and tighten it down to press on patch while glue sets.

NAPA carries all sizes and types of tire patches, glue etc.

I thought of that, but when you patch a tire the patch goes on the inside of the tire because the patch can't hole the pressure. That is why I thought I might be able to use a plug.
I might try the patch over the plug, just because there is really nothing to lose by doing it.

Thanks.

Eric

[JimmieD]

Of course on a tire with the patch inside the air pressure is pushing it against the casing, helping it to seal.

But that's sorta what I was thinking, nothing to lose. It will need some kind of tight tourniquet to cinch down the patch while glue cures. On my airbags I only run about 10-15 psi air pressure. Pretty sure a patch could handle that, even 20+ lbs, especially with a plug in there too.