Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 1
Peterbilt 389 Steer
Axle Air Ride
Kit Number:10015616
K
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 2
Kelderman 389 Semi Air Ride
- Contents
- Kit Numbers……………………………………………(3)
- Introduction……………………………………………(4)
- Safety……………………………………………………..(5)
- Product Owner Responsibilities………….…(6)
- Disassembly………………………………..………….(7-8)
- Kit Installation…………………………………………(9-14)
- Parts Key…………………………………………………(15-16)
- Notes……………………………………………………….(17)
- Contact Information………………………………..(18)
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 3
Kit Numbers
- This installation manual covers the following air ride kits.
Kit Number Description
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 4
Introduction
- Important
It is important that the entire installation instructions be read thoroughly before
proceeding with installation.
- If your kit was ordered raw, open every box and locate all parts. There are several smaller
bushing pieces and bolts that are packaged separately inside the main box.
- Product Installer Responsibilities
Installer is responsible for installing this product in accordance with Kelderman
Mfg. Inc. specifications and installation instructions.
Installer is responsible for providing proper installation of vehicle components and attachments as well as
required or necessary clearance for suspension components, axles, wheels, tires, and other vehicle
components to ensure a safe and sound installation and operation of this product.
- Definition of Terms
- Warning: Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.
- Caution: A potential hazardous situation may result in property damage.
- Note: Provide information or suggestions that help correctly perform a
task.
- Torque: When italicized “torque” alerts the installer to tighten fasteners to
a specified value.
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 5
Safety
- Your Safety and the Safety of Others is Very Important.
Read and understand all safety precautions and instructions before installing this product.
- CAUTION: Trucks Equipped with Parking Sensors or Other Like Devices.
Relocation of these devices will alter the field of view. It is the responsibility of the owner to understand how these
changes affect the operation of these systems.
- WARNING: Components Under Pressure.
Bleed all pressure from the air system before performing any maintenance or service. Serious injury could occur if
components are removed while system is pressurized.
- WARNING: Careless Installation Can Result in Serious Injury or Property Damage
- Wear eye protection.
- Disconnect the battery before doing any work on the vehicle.
- Work on flat level ground.
- Ensure truck is properly supported by jack stands. Never work under a vehicle
supported only by hydraulic jacks.
- Take precautions when lifting product. Due to the size and weight of this product two people are
recommended for installation.
- Never work directly under the product until it has been securely fastened to the vehicle.
- Avoid sharp, hot, and moving components when routing electrical cables and air lines.
- If drilling, inspect both sides of the surface and remove/relocate any objects located in the way.
- Ensure all bolts are properly tightened before driving.
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 6
Product Owner Responsibilities
- Product owner is solely responsible for pre-operation inspection, periodic inspections, maintenance, and use of the
product as specified by Kelderman Mfg. Inc. Of particular importance is the re-torque of fasteners. This re-torque
must be performed within 2500 miles of this product being put into service.
- The Kelderman Air Suspension is fully automatic in controlling the height of the chassis when properly installed. No
Manual Intervention to control air pressure or ride height is needing during the course of normal operation.
- Product owner is responsible for “
down time
” expenses, cargo damage, and all business costs and losses resulting
from a warrantable failure.
- Service Intervals
First 2500 Miles
- Check Ride Height ± 1/4”
- Check for air leaks around fittings.
- Check for any loose or rubbing hoses and wires.
- Re-torque all hardware.
Every 30,000 Miles
- Check Ride Height ± 1/4”
- Check for air leaks around fittings.
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 7
Step 1: Ensure parking brake is applied. (
Removing the bumper is recommended but not required
) Place jacks at the strong
points on the frame and lift to relieve load on leaf springs (
Note: The higher you can get the truck in the air the easier it will be to
install the new leaf spring later in the installation
). Note: Make sure to mark the leaf spring spacer to ensure proper installation
when installing the lower bag mount . (WARNING: PLACE JACK STANDS NEXT TO JACKS FOR ADDED SAFETY).
Figure #1-3: shows approximate locations of jacks
front dot is on frame or strong points of truck.
Step 2: Remove the shocks and shock mounts from the frame/axle. Next, locate the front leaf mounting point, remove the pin
retention bolts/pin and separate leaf from front mount and rear hanger.
Disassembly ; Drivers side first
Attention: Do all of driver’s side first then move on to passenger side
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 8
Step 3: If your truck has a fuel filter near the leaf spring casting or the hood guide, you may need to unbolt and relocate that filter
after the installation of Kit. (
Note: Mount after you install the kit to find the best location
)
Figure #4: One possible location for filter
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 9
Assembly; Drivers side
Attention: Do all of drivers side first then move on to passenger side Step 1 - 6
Step 1: Leaf spring installation: Set one leaf spring onto the axle, align the leaf spring alignment pin with axle alignment hole
and fully seat the leaf spring. Next, fully set the front pin of the leaf spring in the factory mount. Then use the factory leaf spring
pin clamps to lock the leaf in place. Next, install the rear end of the leaf spring into the factory leaf spring hanger using the
provided shackles and 1/2-20 x 2-1/2 hex bolts, flat washers, and lock washers.
Figure #6: Shows Rear Leaf spring assembly with shackles attaching the leaf to the casting mount.
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 10
Figure#8 : Bag is bolted to the lower bag mount with the stud facing out. Top bag mount is installed using two bolts “You
will need to use a grinder to smooth the edges of the steering arm to allow for extra clearance”
Figure #7 :Drivers side lower bag mount.
Step 2: Locate the drivers side lower bag mount and provided U-bolts and install onto the axle. Make sure to keep the OEM block
on the bottom to keep correct caster.
Step 3. Locate the 5768 Air bag, upper air bag mount and the lower bag plate. The air bag will bolt onto the lower bag plate with
the 1/2”- 13 x 2” bolt. Do not tighten yet. Now place the upper bag mount to the top of the air bag over the air inlet. (If the
1/2” stud on the top of the air bag has not been cut off, do that now. Use the 3/4” lock washer and jam nut to fasten the
upper air bag mount to the bag. Now, making sure the upper bag mount and lower bag plate are parallel with each other,
tighten the bottom bag bolt to 35 ft/lbs. Now, place the assembly on the lower air bag mount and fasten to the lower air
bag plate with the four 3/8”-24 x 2” bolts and hardware. The next step is to drill 2 holes in each side of the frame to
fasten the upper bag mount. To figure out where to drill the holes in the frame, inflate the air bag to 8” tall. With the air
bag straight up and down (
appearance like a coffee can
) mark the holes in the frame and drill two 9/16” holes in the
frame. Next fasten the upper air bag mount to the frame with the 1/2”-20 x 2” bolts and hardware. (CAUTION:MAKE SURE
NOT TO DRILL INTO ANYTHING ON INSIDE OF FRAME!)
Smooth the
corners of the
steering arm so
they dont rub
on the bag.
Check for clear-
ance once in-
stall is com-
plete. 3/8”
minimum is
recommended
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 11
Step 4. Set air bag at 8” between the mounting brackets. You can use the jacks or manually inflate the bags. Now, install the
upper height control valve mount. Install the height control value facing the gold lever on the driver side towards the front of
the truck using the 5/8”-18 x 11-3/4”Bolts. Next, use the two height control valve linkage kit to connect the two brackets to-
gether using the provided hardware. You can adjust this distance with the holes on the linkage kit to match your truck when at
ride height. (
Note: Make sure the level indicator hole is showing also if you need to shorten this length you are able to cut the
linkage arms to fit your truck.)
Figure #9 shows height control value. Level indicator hole.
Figure #10: Height control valve orientation (passenger side of 379 kit shown)
Figure #11:Passenger side orientation of height control valve.
(Note: This
will comes with a plug for the passenger side only)
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 12
Figure #11 Aftermarket steering knuckle shown.
Note: Grind off end of steering knuckle to
allow room for the lower bag mount.
Step 5: To plumb up the height control, find an air source coming off the air tank (preferably not the air brake tank). Use the
supplied 3/8” T fitting to splice into an air line. You will now need to add another 3/8” T fitting so you can run air line to both
sides of the truck. The supply line runs to the height control valve and connects to the 3/8” port marked “SUPPLY” . The oth-
er 3/8” port goes to the air bag. The 1/4” port on the height control valve controls the dump. Supplying pressure to this port
will exhaust the air out of the bags, but not the tanks. Once you get both sides installed and height control valves installed, you
can adjust the height control linkage to set the air bags at 8”
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 13
Figure #13: Shows the approximate angle of the shock. Also the position of the height
control valve mount on outside of shock mount
Figure #12: Shows shock orientation with Kelderman Clicker
shocks
Step 6: Gabriel shock Installation. Locate the shock, lower height control linkage mount, Locate a 3/4”-16 x 3-1/2” bolt and slide
the lower height control linkage bracket over the bolt. Now insert the bottom of the shock into the mounting tabs and place the bolt
through outside in. Next, fully compress the shock, then extend ~1/2. This should give you ~14” from center of eye to eye. (
This
allows clearance for your shock so you don’t bottom out your shock while lowering the truck
) Then, move the shock in an arc until
you have it where you want it; ~20 deg shock angle or about a finger width space from top of shock to steering column. Once you
have that location you will need to mark it and position the shock mount to match. Drill the two 9/16” holes holding the shock mount
to the frame and finish installing the top of the shock using the 1/2”-20 x 1-1/2” bolts. If you have the kelderman clicker shocks, you
will need to add the spacers between the mount and the ear of the shock. Note: The reservoir needs to be installed clear of any
mounts.
Figure #15: Figure shows side orientation of shock installation onto the mount.
Note: Spacers are circled.
20 Deg
Figure #14: Figure shows heigh control value assembly and lower mount for
height control valve attached to the lower bag mount.
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 14
Step 9: Repeat steps 1-6 on passenger side
Step 10: Double check the bolts are tight and make sure the truck is sitting level.
Step 11: Test Drive: It is recommended to have an alignment done within 2-3k miles if the truck pulls either direction. If the truck is not
sitting level it could pull towards one side.
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 15
Parts Key
1 10015716
Weldment - Lower Bag Mount (DS)
(7/8" U-Bolt) - Semi Air Ride
1
2 10015717
Weldment - Lower Bag Mount (PS)
(7/8" U-Bolt) - Semi Air Ride
1
3 10015613
Weldment - Upper Bag Mount -
Semi Air Ride
2
4 10015614
Weldment - Upper Shock Mount
(DS) - Semi Air Ride
1
5 10015615
Weldment - Upper Shock Mount
(PS) - Semi Air Ride
1
6 10015618
Plate 1/4" - Bag Plate - Semi Air
Ride
2
7 10015882
Plate 11 ga - Height Control Valve
Bracket - Semi Air Ride
2
8 10015883
Plate 11 ga - Height Control Linkage
Bracket - Semi Air Ride
2
9 10015761
Filler Bushing - 0.793" OD, 0.563"
ID x 3/8" L
2
10 10015765
Spacer - 3/4" Bolt - Raptor Semi
Shock - Semi Air Ride
8
11 80355
Height Control Valve - Semi Air
Ride (H01601KA)
2
12 80080
Adjustable Universal Linkage
(Hadley)
2
13 AUBK8254-083
U-Bolt - Square - 7/8" x 4" x 6
3/4"
2
14 59-748 Leaf Spring - Stanley Springs 2
15 M1214 Leaf Spring Side Bar - Automann 4
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 16
Parts Key
16 F5768 Firestone Air Bag - 5768 2
17 80172 Straight Union 3/8" DOT Tube
Push-to-Connect x 1/4"-18
MNPT
3
18 80219 3/8" Tubing Connection Union
Tee (Plastic Fitting)
4
19 TIV11B-153 3/8" DOT TUBING 500' ROLL
air line
30
20 81486 Bolt Kit - Peterbilt 389 Semi
Air Ride (3/4" and 7/8" U-
Bolt)
1
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 17
Notes
Kelderman 12/11/23
10015616 389 Semi Air Ride 18
Contact Informaon
Kelderman Manufacturing appreciates your business. We strive to meet the
needs of our customers by providing the highest quality products. If you
have any quesons concerning our products please call or email us at the
following:
2686 Highway 92
Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
Phone: (641) 673-5396
Email: info@kelderman.com
K
Kelderman Warranty Page