GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Yep, it's outside on a block of wood! lol One of my bag struts took a **** and, since I took it out to disect and investigate, it is currently on a block b/c the right rear tire has no suspension at all! Contrary to my prior belief, I think it is at least useable, but I will need to make some repairs eventually and will have to be careful with it until then. Took the whole assembly out of my car and took it apart to find that a shaft inside the bag assembly came out of it's designated slot and was refusing to go down b/c that shaft was stuck against a metal plate keeping it higher than when I have the bags all the way up. Might as well tell the whole story since I've started and my wife and son are asleep! So, when you put the back end up high the ride is really stiff in the back, thus causing a very bumpy ride, especially in the back. So, recently there has been some noise coming from that strut and it has gotten stuck before, but has gone back in place. I dropped my wife off at work and had my son with me. We were on our way home and I decided to put the back up b/c he starts laughing hysterically when it is bumpy like that. We were having a good old time and I decided to put the back down again for a normal ride, only when I deflated the rear bags it stayed up! Drove it home, tried over and over to get it to go down, nothing. Today I looked at the top center bolt that comes through the floor and noticed it was (removed)-eyed. Thought maybe if I jacked it up higher that I could take some pressure off and possibly fix it. Borrowed a jack from a wife's uncle, trie to no avail. SOOOO, thought, Ok, the only way to figure this out is to remove the whole thing and tear it down. That was fun..... NOT! Got it apart and sure enough see the problem, but not sure if it is repairable or if I need new stuff or who carries it or what, so I will be taking to a air-ride supply parts store tomorrow to see what they think. Regardless, it appears to be useable if nothing else, just have to keep the back end down at normal ride height until I can afford new parts and get it fixed. I put it back together here in the house and it seems to be fine, but I can tell there is some damage and that basically the whole top end of the strut will probably need to be replaced. I will take pics tomorrow of everything apart (might as well, something new to share! )!

damn, jason. you have the worst troubles with your car. i know it's modded, but it just keeps pouring down. sorry to hear it.

That is some bad luck you are having with your vibe. I hope you get it fixed.

Um, dude... Are these air bag things really worth all the trouble they've caused you? I'm sure the car looks cool with them or whatever, but damn, get rid of them so you can actually drive your car around without fear of the body collapsing onto the fricken wheels! Can you go back to the stock suspension at this point or are you stuck with these things? Stock saves! While some can consider it a pretty boring way of life, leaving a car stock sure does prevent a lot of headaches. heheheHope you can get it figured out man! If you leave it up on blocks too long, you're going to have to grow a mullet!

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »Um, dude... Are these air bag things really worth all the trouble they've caused you? I'm sure the car looks cool with them or whatever, but damn, get rid of them so you can actually drive your car around without fear of the body collapsing onto the fricken wheels! Can you go back to the stock suspension at this point or are you stuck with these things? Stock saves! While some can consider it a pretty boring way of life, leaving a car stock sure does prevent a lot of headaches. heheheHope you can get it figured out man! If you leave it up on blocks too long, you're going to have to grow a mullet! at this point, i have to completely agree with CP here. or if not stock, just some lowering springs?? the bags are cool sure, but how many issues have you had with them? almost stranded you in the dessert, etc didn't they?

Quote, originally posted by AKLGT »at this point, i have to completely agree with CP here. or if not stock, just some lowering springs?? the bags are cool sure, but how many issues have you had with them? almost stranded you in the dessert, etc didn't they?What kind of dessert! But seriously, those airbags have been more work than they are worth from my point of view. I would get them fixed up take them off and sell them and put that money towards other mods you have been wanting to do forever. You'll be happier in the long run. You could get the Unichip that you have been wanting for so long for your S/C. I have found that the more we do to our cars, the more we have to do to keep them working properly. But it is obviously your decision in the end. Good luck with whichever route you go and as alway keep us updated (as if I needed to tell you that, lol)

ha ha! oops! DESERT! i say SPRINGS! then sell the bags on ebay or to some trix owner on MO.

I COULD go back to stock, but 1 of my struts was ruined trying to get the top nut off, and the 3 good ones are in TX in my storage! That and I sold all my aftermarket springs I have had so it would definitely be stock as I can't afford a new strut right now let alone new springs! lol I'm sure they're definitely not worth it, they have saved my body kit from a lot of dmage it would have otherwise sustained with springs, but it has been a royal PITA. I know a guy who had air-bags on hus truck, and he said in the 2 yrs + he had them he never had any trouble, but I did buythis kit used and installed it myself cauing a lot of the problems, and others, well, **** happens I guess! Sure seems to happen to me a lot though!

Pics here:

i gotta say....i wish bags were legal here that would be awesome!sorry to hear bout the bad luck tho

Jason man that really sucks! Maybe it is time to go back to stock or lowering springs. I really hope your luck turns around Keep your head up bro it will!

Quote, originally posted by ArcsVibe »Jason man that really sucks! Maybe it is time to go back to stock or lowering springs. I really hope your luck turns around Keep your head up bro it will!No chance of that! Got it "fixed" where it is driveable, but needs some major repairs. Haven't even looked into cost or where to get the parts yet, bills seem to be the priority right now since I just started getting paid again last Friday! I also don't have the stock springs or shocks as they are in TX in storage.

You have springs... nuvibe

Quote, originally posted by nuvibe »You have springs... nuvibeYeah, thanks Richard, I guess should I have to go that route I would just have to locate some struts!