POLYAIR Springs

Q & A - ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Q: How much do they cost?

1. Polyair Springs are excellent value, being the most economically priced suspension aid product on the market. They frequently are lower in price than replacement or overload springs and air shocks. Since price varies with application, refer to the current price list.

Q. Do I have to remove my springs to install them?

1. The Polyair Spring is a suspension add-on to original equipment springs. Some kit numbers will require temporary removal of spring for installation.

Q. Will they raise my vehicle?

1. Original equipment springs tend to sag from wear or from overloading. Each Polyair cylinder is designed to level the vehicle to original designed height with up to 500 kg of load. Some vehicles can be raised an additional 25 mm when inflated with maximum air pressure and carrying minimum load.

Q. How do I fill them and how much air do I need?

1. Due to low air pressure requirements, Polyairs can be inflated using a hand pump or service station hose, as you would fill a tyre. All kits include air hoses for easy inflation of dual air valves.

Q. What is the warranty?

1. Polyairs have 12 months / 20,000 km warranty. Any defective part will be replaced free, provided the kit has been correctly installed and correct inflation procedures have been adhered to.

Q. Will they affect the ride of the vehicle?

1. The ride can be tailored to meet the driver's personal comfort by increasing or decreasing air pressure. If air pressure is increased in proportion to the load, ride quality should not change.

Q. Will the rubbing action of the coil spring on the Polyair cylinder cause it to wear out?

1. Polyairs are made of a highly durable space age urethane material which has outstanding wearing characteristics in desert hot to sub-zero temperature extremes. When properly inflated, they will provide years and years of trouble-free service.

Q. Do I have to change my shock absorber?

1. Not if they are functioning properly. In fact, Polyairs will actually increase the life of the shock absorber.

Q. Have they been tested in Australian conditions?

1. The air bags have been successfully marketed in Australia since the early 1960s.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

POLYAIR units are designed and engineered for long life. Provided you take a little amount of care when selecting and fitting your kit, maximum results will be obtained.

LEAF SPRINGS

• Stands or Jacks should be placed under differential housing so that dimensional relationship between vehicle chassis and Leaf Springs remains unaffected. A correctly attached chassis bracket has no stress on the attaching screws.
• Kits are to be fitted not more than 40 mm and not less than 20 mm in front of or behind the differential housing, usually fitting instructions specify the correct location, depending on positions of brake lines, exhaust pipes, petrol tanks, shock absorbers and other obstructions. Should any of these have been altered from original specifications then repositioning of the kit may be necessary.
• Clearance from any obstructions should be a minimum of 20 mm (Exhaust Pipes 60 mm at all times).

COIL SPRINGS

• Most bags can be fitted between the lowest coil opening when suspension is fully extended. Additional clearance between the coil may be obtained by removing lower shock absorber mountings and lowering suspension 30-50mm.
• Bag should be a reasonably snug fit in the coil, however tolerance of +/- 6mm is common.
• CAUTION: Observe tension on brake hose. DO NOT STRAIN.
• (If the vehicle has a hole between bag and spring seat / chassis of 50 mm / 2" or more than half the diameter of the bag (whichever is the smaller) then a protector must be fitted. This is normally included in the kit.
• Ensure that exhaust tail pipe is 60 mm from Polyair Bag. If necessary, loosen clamps and rotate or move to obtain additional clearance.

IMPORTANT - BOTH LEAF AND COIL

All vehicle springs will sag, and the amount of sag depends on age and usage conditions (eg load variety, towing etc). As the kit is designed to fit the vehicle's as new specifications, an older vehicle will probably require a few more KPAs when unladen to restore it to original ride heights and this factor will vary by how much the front may have sagged.

All kits are supplied with fitting instructions and air extension hoses.

Should it be necessary, POLYAIR SPRINGS can supply kits specially tailored to suit an off-standard situation such as Raised or Lowered Suspension Systems or BADLY SAGGED suspensions.

If your vehicle is not listed or does not conform to the specification list, let us have the inside diameter of your coil, the length required for your air bag (measured when the vehicle is empty standing on level ground). Please mention in addition if any obstruction and/or holes are at the top or bottom of your existing coil springs.

LOW PRESSURE GAUGE: To prevent damage to the air bags, a minimum pressure of 35 KPA / 5 PSI should be retained in the bags of standard kits at all times. A special low pressure dual dial gauge with readings from "2" to "60" lbs (10-400 KPA) accurate to within 2% of scale for this critical low pressure air adjustment in POLYAIR SPRINGS is available. The gauge will double up as a tyre gauge.

CAUTION: Leave sufficient hose slack to prevent any strain on valve stem during axle motions. To prevent extension from melting, keep it at least 60 mm from exhaust system.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE TIPS: After fitting kits and/or extension leads, inflate air bags to 175 KPA / 25 lbs and test for air leaks by applying a liquid soapy solution to all valve cores, fittings and connections.

Caution - Do not inflate air springs while vehicle is on frame hoist. Vehicle must be standing on its wheels before bags are inflated.

• Maintain at least 35 KPA / 5 PSI of air pressure in the Air Lift Bags to prevent chaffing.
• Inflate your Air Bags before loading your vehicle to maximum pressure indicated on fitting instructions.
• Do not attempt to raise a loaded vehicle by inflating Air Bags. If loaded, jack up body until level, then inflate.
• It is recommended that tyre pressure be increased by 14 KPA (2 lbs) above normal for each 45 kg / 100 lbs total overload on the axle.
• POLYAIR SPRINGS recommends that the kits be used to support loads which are within the vehicle manufacturer's rated GVW.

Recommended standard Air Lift Bag pressures are included in installation instructions and vary from kit to kit. Typical values are min 35 KPA / 5 lbs, max 175 KPA / 25 lbs.

POLYAIR SPRINGS - 4WD APPLICATIONS

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