ALKO Air Top (Airtop) Suspension yet again

The left side airbag deflated on our last trip.  It is leaking air from where the mounting bolt seems to have rubbed through.  This seems to be a common failure...
I have read many of the forum posts about this but it is not clear to me if our Air Top was fitted correctly.  We will likely be using our local independent (or maybe myself) for the repair so I would like to understand whether to have the new unit fitted in the same way, or bolts reversed, or maybe with dome bolts which has been mentioned.
Can anyone say if the unit was mounted correctly?  Any other comments?
I assume that at this time – after 11 years – it would be a waste of time to approach Autosleeper?
Thanks in advance for comments.

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Had the same problem bit of a design error. My solution was to replace the bolts with dome headed bolts with an Allen key head and spring washers. This way ensures that the attachment bolts have a good clearance from the boot. Bolts from eBay.

Had the same problem 2017, had them replace by Autosleeper with an upgraded version. From memory they cost about £480 fitted, no problems since.

Biker51 wrote:Had the same problem 2017, had them replace by Autosleeper with an upgraded version. From memory they cost about £480 fitted, no problems since.
Thanks

@Biker51 -- your post seems indicate a photo but I can't see anything.  Was that the intent?  The method on the forum to include a photo is a bit unusual...
Click the "Host an image" button on the toolbar, it's first in the fifth block from left.
Choose your file using the blue "select files" button
Upload the image using the blue  send button or "send All"
Insert the image using the blue "insert all" or the middle "view" link by the image.
...sorry if you know all this but I am hoping you might have included a photo of your upgraded version?  I'd be interested in that.

Sorry for the missed photo, I was trying to copy from my old post. Hopefully this one works.[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Hi Folks, we have a 2018 duo. I do need to top up the suspension from time to time. I assume this is normal or acceptable or do I need to get them checked ?
Are the units on all 4 corners or just the front . Can't go and look as we are not at home.
Regards Geoff

My Al-Ko Air Rides need to be topped up about every two months by a few pounds; that's normal. They are fitted to the rear suspension only. I run mine at about 28psi but of course the optimum pressure will depend on individual circumstances.

Cymro

Thanks Cymro. No action required then. Thanks again Geoff

Hi yes there was a recall for bolts fitted incorrectly.. 
Autosleeper replaced mine FOC with the bolts simply fitted the other way which still had the same issue of the bolts rubbing on the rubber bellows and creating a puncture.. When I approached them again complaining that this was a bad design issue, they suggested it was my error and refused to entertain my request to have them replaced under warranty.. 
obviously from the later pictures they have now abandoned the old style mountings, and the bolts can not pierce the rubber bellows 

This would have been the correct fix on the original recall

Barry Watkin wrote:. I guess my training in the marine trade works better than theirs in the motor trade!  (Old timer I learnt from— “do you know happens Lad if we can’t fix this? ……..We sink!!) 

How true. I am still “in the marine trade” after over 50 years and still struggle to believe how far behind at least some areas of the motorhome industry seem to be in terms of technical advances, electrics and simple general engineering compared to the standards that we work to in the marine business. It seems all a bit DIY to me!

I bought a motorhome last year and it took me back to the technical and quality levels of the marine market in the late sixties when I started, excepting of course the electronics which don’t work, and have now been removed from my van.

Alas we found out about the recall from some clever boffin on here and we're not contacted by AS  

You'd have thought they would have realised that simply turning the nuts and bolts around, would not rectify the issue..! ‍�

How easy is it to replace the bellows/air bags oneself ? Any special tools or knowledge required

Thanks

I've just noticed one of my Alko airbags is no longer holding air for very long. I was astounded to see another Isle of Wight van and one in Tynemouth had also suffered the same fate, I lived in Tynemouth and then East Cowes before moving to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight! Could anyone here advise the best place to buy a replacement bag please?  I note that the Alko system is no longer flavour of the month but want to sort the van before I sell it. Any help would be gratefully received. I have, for what it's worth , not found the Alko system of any great benefit.

I have now replaced the air top bellows on my 2012 Warwick Duo . Only one was screwed by the ill-fitted bolt-head.Total time under 2 hours. I also replaced with domed bolts both sidesso same thing didn't happen again.
      The best place to get the bellows turned out to be On-Air in Chingford who were very helpful with an all-in price of £127 including VAT and carriage. The other firms were having a laugh with their prices. The price is just for the bellows. You can re-use the rest.
         The only variation to the item removed was that the bellows had bolts at the top, not threaded holes. I just used nyloc nuts instead--no further alteration was necessary.