Noticed Contitech AS9448 are back in stock at finditparts. On sale for $95.22 before any discount code. They were hard to locate for the past couple months. Firestone's were $165 each over the last few months. PS: Don't order from Chinese websites, ask me how I know.
Jump on 'em!
SPRTS10 - discount code for 10% off. I don't know how long it will work
They usually have free shipping at xx price point. That's how I purchased them last year. Mark
Are these the bags for 1996 U320?
Do all Unicoaches use the same air bag?
A hint on shopping "finditparts".
Go look at all parts you are interested in. Maybe even put into cart. Then back out.
You will get 15%, free shipping, offer. They will send you emails and text. If allowed.
Yup lots of cookies.
Make it work for you. Remember the handling they add to every order.
It cost me $747.23 for 8 to zip 78801. In 2019.
Mark
I wonder if these will replace my 1996 bags, U295-36 foot
Just ordered 8 with the sprts10 code, $695.53 to my door,
Thanks for the tip!!!
I also ordered 8 for 695.53 a few days ago. I figured I better get them now before they sell out. They weren't available a month ago anywhere it seemed. Good deal though. A Quartzsite project!
So are these the correct airbags for my 2001 U320?
Scott
Scott, This model air spring (bag) fits my 2001, the 1995 I owned and my friend's 2003. This model fits my tag axle but does not fit friend's 2003 tag because his is a lifting tag.
The price is excellent by a bunch.
See my post on shocks.
So I ordered two bags to take a look at them. Will start changing them out as time allows .
So the new airbags have a plastic composite bottom. No corrosion issues, but just wondering if they are standard ?
The ones I bought were either Goodyear or Firestone and they had the plastic also.
Don't see a down side since there in compression, just curious. Thanks
Scott
I'm slow,trying to figure out the above post,are you saying you think the plastic is ok?
The plastic is actually better. More like a phenolic material and won't rust like the original.
Continental Tire and Rubber does not make many mistakes. Besides the airbags, their fan belts were among the first not to stretch, excellent tires, fuel injection hose that lasted forever, etc. Great products.
Pierce
Just replaced my original 24 yr. old Firestone air bags with these, no downside to which I can see. My old ones still looked pretty good considering there age, I'm sure they would have lasted a few more years. The ride with the new Contitech bags is great, seems a bit tighter. Glad I did it and hope they give good service like the Originals.
Doug that's an interesting comment. I wonder if the bags have the same exact volume inside? May or may not affect the ride quality...
I also wondered if they expand as tall as the original Firestones. Going to find out as I already bought 8 of them
No problem pulling out 11" safety supports after installing, probably went another good inch above them when raising coach to max. Maybe even gained a little bit.
Excellent!!!
Ordered 8 delivered for $698.03. Thanks for the heads up,
TAKE10 discount code worked.
We ordered 8 for our coach which I think are the originals.
Now I need to find a tutorial to install them
I posted one with photos so see it you can find it. I can't search tonight. Get all your ducks in a row beforehand and It's pretty easy.
Pierce
Thank you everyone for the heads up. Ordered 8 for 698.03 out the door. TAKE10 discount code still valid.
You can reuse the old fittings but have a few new Dot rated ones just in case,and check for leaks,and keep at least one for a spare.
Are the Contitech AS9448 the correct air bags for a 2001 U295 36' with slide? I noticed Roger ordered a set, would mine be the same ?
Here is my old page on the airbag installation with a photo of the adjustable safety stands and a link to the Google Photos page. You don't have to make the special tool for the nut if you pull the fenders. I was stubborn and made the tool. The air/hydraulic jack from Harbor Freight takes 50% off the installation time. I made a plate for the top of the jack so it was secure. Your onboard air will be fine to operate the jack. A 3/8" or 1/2" air gun makes taking the bottom nuts off the airbag a 10 second job for each bag. Hey, 50% done right there. All the nuts except the hollow air stud take a 3/4" or 19mm socket. A couple of extension for the air gun make it even easier. Goggles should be worn when working below the bags. small hole in rear front airbag (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=34286.msg315235#msg315235) This post will get to started and linked to the photos.
You should look first to see if the nuts are rusty/corroded and if so, use something like Liquid Wrench the day before. Some shops use a Sawzall to cut the bags off but unless they are frozen from corrosion, that's sloppy work.
Since the bags don't come with nuts, I keep a bag full of stainless nuts and washers to put on the new bags. Use the right tool to take the fitting off the top of the airbag. If necessary, put the bag in a vice to hold it and remove the air fitting without damaging it. It will come off nicely and without damage if you don't rush it.
When I installed the old air fitting in the new bag, I used teflon paste, not tape. I try not to use tape on anything.
I made custom safety stands that easily adjust. I just use a 3/8" impact to quickly extend them so there is no accident.
I found that aligning the air hose fitting with the air bag fitting was harder than I thought. It has fine threads and has to be exactly aligned or the hose nut won't thread on. Never force it as once it's aligned, the nut threads on very easily with just your fingers.
20 ton HF air jacks can be had for $59 when on sale and with the 25% coupon. The 12 ton will work but for the same price when on sale, I went with the 20 ton. They can be used with the regular handle also. Make sure the quick air connect is the same as your hose.
I didn't use a torque wrench on anything. Just shade tree torque.
When I say "ducks in a row," that also means the coach level and best on concrete with wheels chocked so it can't possibly roll. Good to have an observer to help and in case of an accident.
Two guys with experience and air tools can change a bag in well under 15 minutes. Just don't hurry on removing the old air fitting on the top of the bag. Water pump pliers don't make it. If I have to remove a fender, I have a 18V Makita 1/4" impact with a Philips quick bit that works really well for that and a million other things around the coach.
Pierce
Thanks for the find. We were able to order 8 bags for $698.03 using the TAKE10 code. We will work on them when we return to Florida.
Question, will it be advantageous to change the shocks at the same time?
Thanks in advance,
John M.
It will save you a lot of labor time if you do the shocks at the same time.
I kinda thought so. Thanks for the input Craneman.
John M.
Looks like they only have 3 left at that price. I guess I'll have to wait to they get some more in. No big rush.
Just got an email from find it parts.
They no longer have the bags.
Refund within 72 hrs
Probably losing money on them
I just got a cancelation email on my order.
Disappointed with them.
John M.
Come on now. Factories, transportation, etc are going to be slower and more sporadic than pre-Covid. We don't always get what we want when we want it. There is a national emergency for Covid, fires in the West and the huge amount of damage from the hurricane.
Pierce
Blacktech RML 79448 C — Air Bag Suspension and Air Springs for Semi Trucks -... (https://www.bigrigcomponents.com/airsprings/blacktech-rml-79935-j4ht4-gtj4d-4ye3r-5elsd)
Amazon.com: Blacktech RML 79448 C - Replacement Air Spring: Automotive (https://www.amazon.com/Blacktech-RML-79448-Replacement-Spring/dp/B07N13YDDV)
Blacktech "The Reliable" (https://www.vibracoustic-cvas.com/About-Us/Blacktech-The-Reliable)
The ebay ad has only 2. 8 from Find-It-Parts were just over $90 each delivered. And they have been delivered already.
I have had very good results with this vendor for a variety of parts,
John, call,cust service and try ordering again. They may be temporarily out of stock.
I understand your disappointment.
I do not know for certain, but it seems like FindItParts is more of a consolidator for lack of better term, than a true supplier of parts....providing a consolidated internet store front for lots of suppliers. I have ordered from them many times (including Conitech airsprings) and have always received prompt service, but seems like the parts ship from various locations. I had issues on one order where an item showed as being shipped but it was not. Contacted them and they resolved it quickly.
I can also say from experience that inventory systems frequently do not reflect the actual available quantity. Multiple times I have gone to Home Depot and Lowes for items that showed in stock and they are not able to find it. One of the items was a 6ft folding table. They showed several in stock, but could not find them. Not sure how something that big gets lost, I guess it is pretty easy to loose items in a large warehouse.
I ordered 2 on 8/26 and they were delivered today.
Looks like we need a volunteer for the Blacktech ones,any takers???
Two year warranty.
Ordered and replaced all of mine on my 96 U295.
Great bags on a great deal. Definitely worth taking the front skirt off to replace with ease. Takes 20 minutes to pull.
Mixing Airbag Brands
I ordered eight ContiTech airbags from FindItParts while we were in Wyoming. When I got home I discovered they had shipped only six. They said that was all they had but they still charged me for eight. They are going to refund the price for two. No more are available for the time being.
So I can get Firestone w01-358-9448 for more money, free shipping.
Can I get two of these and use one Firestone and one Conti on each side? Front or rear better? Or two Firestone on one side and two Contis on the other?
It is hard to see any down side. Any best way to mix them or should I get four Firestones?
I have ordered several different parts from FindItParts and they have been reliable.
Roger,
If I were in your place and wanted to get the job done, I would put the Firestones opposite each other on same axle; left and right.
But thats me. On big trucks we have mix and matched bags with no trouble.
jk
They both have the same amount of cubic inches inside and the flex of the rubber should not make any difference so I would not hesitate to mix bags, left or right side.
I also mix different manufacturer of tires on the rear left and right and have never been able to tell the difference. This would make way more difference than airbags unless you feel Asian Firestones might not get along with European Continentals.
Pierce
My personal preference would be to put the same brand , one of each at the same position on each side. One Firestone on the left rear, rear with the other Firestone on the right rear, rear.
Thanks, I ordered two Firestones. I will put one on each side in front of the front axle, Maybe one each on either side behind the rear axle. Less axle wt up front. Hard to imagine why it would make a difference. I have to get some shocks too and do it all at once.
The air bag is back in stock as of now!
Just FYI
AS9448 by CONTITECH - CONTITECH AIR SPRING 64286/1R11-150/8563 (https://www.finditparts.com/products/7889630)
Was able to order two more!
Scott
Back again but not for long.
Back in stock again.
Just ordered 4!
Coupon TAKE10 (10% off) still works
Hope it will ship!
Air bag change tool kit
1 1/8 modified gearwrench
3/4 modified gear wrench
Couple of 1/2 lock on extensions
1/2 breaker bar, works way better on grearwrenches
3/4-16 clean up tap and die
Air fitting socket with 3/4 head on back to accept gearwrench
Scott
I didn't think of making an air fitting tool. Would have saved much time.
Excellent idea for the air fitting tool. Looks like you took a little meat off the ratchet to clear the 2"x3" tubing.
Pierce
Yes it was a little tight. That wrench is capable still of way more capacity than I can produce. Ya takes a lazy stacker to find the easy way to do stuff.
Scott
And skilled hands with access to tools to make cool tools. You seem to have both! Nice job.
I made a air fitting tool too when I did the job. I like yours. It's always interesting how we come up with different ideas to do a job.
Will the Continental bags fit 1989 Grand Villa U300?
Should be the same on all U300s and most all Foretravels. Think the tag axle may take a different one on the late heavy models but you don't have to worry about that.
Pierce
I noticed that I can't search the part from the website.
But if I go into the page directly, I am able to place order.
Not sure if it is a sign of no inventory. Transaction has appeared on my credit card. So hope it will ship
Update:
just got an email. My order is shipped.
You still can't search the item through their search on top of the page. But if you go into the item page directly. It is still in stock.
Order received.
just FYI.
Now need to search how to replace them. I know
@stump mentioned that the rear was pretty straight forward once the skirt is removed. Can the front skirt be removed to replace the air bag?
Thanks