allroad55

I didn't want to post this matter here, but couldn't stop to share this incredible tragedy...
Probably I'm one of the most unfortune allroader in the world.
What I am wondering is whether this symptom is very common problem on the newest revision of G2 front bags with black prastic top.
Every 4 units I have gotten until yesterday leaks 100% at always same portion from the very first day of installation.
Anyone have same experience?


I went to brand new Arnott G2 front bags set last month because my old oem FR bag began to leak.
My FR sank around 1 inch per night with oem bags.
These lasted more than 10 years and ran 103,000km.

1st G2 front air bag set was deliverd to my home on Nov. 5.
My very reliable indy replaced these on Nov. 14.

But next morning he found that BOTH LEFT and RIGHT sank very very much!
Checked by sooping and found small white bubbles were growing up quickly around the joint line between black plastic (this was cool red alminum top in previous revision) and rubber bag.
Unbelievably, BOTH LEFT and RIGHT sank very very fast around 2 inch per 6 hours!
See attached pics!

allroad55

Immediately I contacted Arnott on Nov. 16 morning.
And they sent next set so quick and these were delivered to my home in JAPAN on Nov. 19!!
So fast!

My indy intalled this 2nd set on Nov. 21.
However found these are also leaking at the same portion like attached pics!
(I had changed to winter tires)

IMO, this 2nd set looks better than 1st set, however I can't accept this quality.
(The car sank around 2 inches per 6 hours with 1st set, but now sinks around 2 inches per 12 hours!)
Both brand new 2nd and 1st bags are worse than my old oem air springs (10 years old!).
Because my car sinks "only" 1 inch per 1 night with my old oem air spring, and this happened just only on right side...

Checked by sooping again and root causes were quite easily found.
(See attached pics!)
The leakage is occuring at the quite same portion as previous set around just below black prastic top.
Even the leaking speed (bubble growing up speed) is slower than 1st set, I am very very sad with these now!

allroad55

Next time I don't want to get 3rd set immediately.
(Of course, I want GOOD set ASAP but... very afraid of same problem happen again!)
I want them to check and investigate the root cause and inspect the quality very very well, before sending next proper bags to me!
And If it is common problem on the current revision of G2, I want them to send the revised and improved bags to me!

Additionally, big problem is the labor charge for changing work!
Because my indy wants around 1k USD for one time...this price is rather as lower than average in Japan.
I must pay for his shop at least around 3k USD including next (3rd) replacement...
This is a BIG impact for me (especially for my wife)!!
Does Arnott generally guarantee this?
Because next labor is not 2nd round but 3rd round...
Sent email to Arnott team last night but no reply yet, thus it is also weekend now in US.

GTA_Driver

Wow. A serious problem, souds like Arnott get a bad batch. If Arnott cannot guarantee quality, you may want to consider getting G1. Fewer reported problems.

Another thing, your shop charges you $1000 USD to do both airbags? That is insane. It takes 1.5 hours per side at most shops, so you should be charged for 3 hours' labour. I don't know how that keeps adding up to $1000.

You may want to consider finding a different shop or do the job yourself.

Second point, important, does your shop actually know what it's doing? Are they qualified to work on Audis? Do they lower the car on empty bags when they're done replacing them? It's important to prefill the bags before dropping the car on them.

allroad55

I tried to do it myself, but my job is quite busy and it was very hard to do that...
I promise they are doing right way.
They have manuals and know how to do it.
AR is very very few in Japan and currently JPY is strong and raised, so...

Dugzy33

O rings?

03 Cobalt allroad

I just put in 2 of the new style - easy install no problems - u sure they aren't doing something during install ?

allroad55

I have confidence that they are doing proper way.
Therefore I'm very very confusing now...

New o-rings are included in new set.
There are no o-rings around the leaking portion.

thejulex

It is leaking on the crimp which is traditionally the weak area in arnott's design... exacerbated by using plastic now... I don't know what to say... maybe they have some aluminum ones still in stock and you can insist on getting them instead of plastic?

allroad55

Arnott couldn't accept this incredible fact.
I understand well their situation.
If I was them, I would think such like.

Today I got message from my friend that he also got same problem with G1 bags recently.
Definitely the leakage is happening at the same portion as my g2 bags.
I have some pics of the white bubbles from his brand new g1 bags.
(I don't post these pics this time purposely)

Anyway I'm going to send the defective bags back to Arnott for investigation.
This is the only way to the future for me.