VIGOR 7X 1232 Air Spring Suspension Bags Kit Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- VIGOR
Table of Contents
VIGOR 7X 1232 Air Spring Suspension Bags Kit
Product Information
The Air Helper Spring Kit is designed for 2007 – 2018 Chevy/GMC 1500 trucks with 6 lug wheels. It includes upper and lower brackets, bracket straps, air bags, hardware, a 1/4 Schrader valve, a 1/2 NPT * 1/4 elbow, a metal cable zip tie, a heat shield, a 1/4 T-valve, a 1/4 DOT air hose (15 feet), a cutter, and a treadlock.
Product Usage Instructions
Installation Introduction
Before starting the installation process, please note that the heat shield should be mounted in the closest point between the exhaust pipe and the air bag.
Assembling Air Spring Bags & Brackets
Step 1: Begin the installation on the left side of the vehicle. Attach the lower bracket to the air bag using a 3/4′ flange hex bolt. Do not fully tighten the bolt to allow the lower bracket to rotate for installation.
Step 2: Repeat the process for the right side of the vehicle.
Note: Refer to Figures A & B for visual guidance.
Air Hose Installation
- Connect the air bag to the tee and to the valve, routing it to avoid direct heat from the engine, exhaust pipe, and sharp\ edges. If the hose is near these conditions, use thermal sleeves for protection.
- Ensure that the air hose is not bent or curved sharply as it may buckle. Secure the hose in place using the provided nylon zip ties.
- Push the end of the air hose into the Schrader valve. Important: When cutting or trimming the air line, use a hose cutter, a razor blade, or a sharp knife. Make a clean, square cut to prevent leaks. Do not use wire cutters or scissors as they may flatten or crimp the air line, causing it to leak around the O-ring seal inside the elbow fitting.
Guideline for Adding Air
Refer to the following diagram for guidance on adding air to the air spring
bags: Bottoming out indicates that more air needs to be added, while unlevel
and level indicate the appropriate air levels. Follow these instructions
carefully for proper installation and usage of the Air Helper Spring Kit. For
any further assistance, refer to the complete installation manual or contact
our customer
support.
INSTALLATION INTRODUCTION
- A- Upper Bracket（2）
- B- Lower Bracket（2)
- C- Bracket Strap（2）
- D- Air Bag（2）
- E- Hardware F- Heat Shield
- G- 1/4″ Schrader valve（1）
- H- 1/4″ T- Valve（1）
- I- 1/2″ NPT * 1/4″ elbow（2)
- J- 1/4″ DOT Air Hose（15’）, Cutter & Treadlock
- K- Metal Cable Zip Tie（2）
IMPORTANT! For your own safety and in aim to prevent possible damage to
the vehicle, don’t exceed the maximum load recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer. Your air bag helper springs are rated at a maximum inflation
pressure of 150 PSI. You are allowed to carry a greater load on some vehicles
with this pressure. It is best to have your vehicle weighed once it is
completely loaded and compare that weight to the maximum allowed.
Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual or data plat on your driver’s side door
for maximum loads listed for your car. When inflating your airbag helper
springs, add air pressure in small quantities, checking
pressure frequently during inflation. Each air spring requires much less air
volume than a tire and inflates much quicker
FIGURE A
INSTALLING THE HEAT SHIELD
Find the closest point between the exhaust pipe and the air bag. Mount the hear shield in this spot.
ASSEMBLING AIR SPRING BAGS & BRACKETS
Step 1
Prepare The Vehicle/Upper Bracket Installation Your vehicle is equipped with
rubber jounce bumpers. The bumpers are attached to the frame directly above
the axle. Remove these bumpers by unbolting them from the frame. This bumper
will not be reused with this kit.
Note: The Bolt Used To Hold The Jounce Bumper In Place May Be a Flat Head Or
Hex Head, Depending On The Year Of Your Truck. Attach the upper brackets to
the frame where the jounce bumper was removed using the 10MM x 50 MM flat head
bolt, placing the spacer between the upper bracket and the frame, as shown in
Figure ‘A’.
Step 2
Put Together The Air Bag Assembly Installation will begin with the left side
of the vehicle. All pictures depict the installation on the left side of the
vehicle unless noted otherwise. Attach the lower bracket to the air bag using
a 3/4′ flange hex bolt. Do
not fully tighten the bolt to allow the lower bracket to rotate for
nstallation. See Figures “A” & “B
Step 3
Install The Assembly To The Vehicle Place the air bag assembly on top of
the jounce bumper pad on the axle housing, making sure the bracket is pushed
flush to the leaf stack. Bolt on air bag to the upper bracket. See Figures
“A”& “B”. Install the air fitting into the air bag and tighten it. Use vigor
thread sealer on the threads (allow to cure for 24 hours before inflating the
bags). Adjust the air bag to the upper bracket to provide the best alignment.
Secure using 3/8–16 x 3/4″ flanged hex bolts. On the driver’s side only, the
parking brake line will need to be zip-tied to the upper bracket see, Figure
“A’. With the assembly attached to the frame rail, the next step is to secure
the lower bracket to the vehicle. Install the bail clamp under the leaf
springs from the outside of the leaf stack and through the holes in the legs
of the lower bracket. Secure (hand tight) using the 3/8”-16 flange nuts. Begin
to tighten the nuts on the bail clamp first, to draw the bracket towards the
leaf stack, making sure thebracket fits around the u-bolts. Alternate to the
bracket strap until the bracket is secured. See Figures “A”& “B”. Important:
In Order For The Air Bag To Function Properly, There Must Be a Minimum Of 1/2″
Of Clearance Around The Air Bag. Step 4
Install The Passenger’S Side Assembly Follow steps 2 & 3 for installation
of the passenger’s side assembly. Step 5
Install The Air Hose And Schrader Valve Uncoil the air hose and cut it into
two equal lengths. DO NOT FOLD OR KINK THE HOSE. Make the cut as straight as
possible, using a hose cutter. Insert one end of the hose into the push-to-
connect fitting installed on the top of the air bag. Select a location on the
vehicle for the Schrader valve. 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 still accessibility for the air chuck, see Figure
“C’. Drill a 5/16′ hole and install the Schrader valve.Run the tubing from the
air bag to the tee and to the valve, routing it to avoid direct heat from the
engine, exhaust pipe, and away from sharp edges. Use thermal sleeves if the
hose is run near these conditions. The air hose should not be bent or curved
sharply as it may buckle. Secure the hose in place with the nylon zip ties
provided. Push the end of the air hose into the schrader valve.
CAUTION
WHEN CUTTING OR TRIMMING THE AIR LINE, USE A HOS CUTTER, A RAZOR BLADE, OR A SHARP KNIFE. A CLEAN, SQUARE CUT WILL ENSURE AGAINST LEAKS. DON’T USE WIRE CUTTERS OR SCISSORS TO CUT THE AIR LINE. THESE MAY FLATTEN OR CRIMP THE AIR LINE CAUSING IT TO LEAK AROUND THE O-RING SEAL INSIDE THE ELBOW FITTING.
GUIDE LINE FOR ADDING AIR
- Start with the vehicle level or slightly above.
- When In doubt, always add air.
- If the front of the vehicle dives while braking, increase the pressure Si the front air bag if equipped.
- If it Is ever suspected that the at bags have bottomed out Increase the pressure.
- Adjust the pressure up and down to find the best ride.
- It may be necessary to maintain different pressures on each side of the vehicle Loads such as water, fuel, and appliances will cause the vehicle to be heavier on one side. As much as a 50 PSI difference is not uncommon. (additional schrader valves can be purchased at www.vigorairride.com)
By following the steps below, vehicle owners will obtain the longest life and best result from their air springs.
- Check the air pressure weekly.
- Always maintain normal ride height.
- If you develop an air leak In the system, use a soapy water solution (1 part dish soap. 4 parts water) to check all air fine connections and the Inflation valve core before deflating and removing the air spring.
- When increasing load. always adjust the air pressure to maintain the normal ride height. Increase or decrease pressure from the system as necessary to attain normal ride height for optimal ride and handling. Remember that loads carried behind the aide (including tongue loads) require more levelling force (pressure) than those carried directly over the axle.
CAUTION
FOR YOUR SAFETY AND TO PREVENT POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE, DO NOT EXCEED
THE MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR). AS INDICATED BY THE VEHICLE
MANUFACTURER.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE : The installation of this kit does not alter the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or payload of the vehicle.
Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual and do not exceed the maximum load listed
lot your vehicle.
Gross Vehicle Weight Paling
The maximum allowable weight of the fully-loaded vehicle (including passengers
and cargo) This number — along with other weight limits. as well as tire, rim
size and inflation pressure data Is shown on the vehicle’s Safely Compliance
Certification Label.
If you have any questions about this product, please contact us below:
Phone：+1-604-636-8654 (Monday – Friday,
8 am – 6 pm PST)
Email：support@vigorairride.com
Thank you very much!
Thank you for purchasing the 7X 1232 Kit! Please kindly be advised to read the
instructions carefully before installing the air spring kit. Please take
safety precautions accordingly during installation.
The installation instructions are based on the left side or based on the
driver’s side of the vehicle, and the structure on the right side can refer to
the same method on the left side. The retrofit kit you purchased is a single
valve inflation system. Please note that the air spring will bend and expand
under working conditions. Ensure there is enough space for it to work properly
and avoid friction between the air spring and other chassis parts.