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Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

A data point: Air Bag Replacement
In case you missed my post last summer, I had a leak that I initially diagnosed as an air solenoid problem but it turned out to be a hole worn into one of my rear airbags. While I had thought they didn't look that bad, I decided to replace all eight. (1996 - 140,000 miles).
I got 8 from  http://www.truckspring.com/Products/Firestone-Reversible-Sleeve-Air-Spring__W01-358-9448.aspx for ~$156 each.
I went to Fastenal and got new bolts and washers (I forget how much - less than $25 I think).
I had the  4 rear replaced in Michigan figuring FOT might have more experience with the fronts.

FOT has just replaced the 4 front ones for 2.4 hours labor - $264.00 plus about $80 for the new elbows and brass fitting I had requested.
So, my cost/bag was around $156 plus $66 labor + $26 misc.

Say $250/bag
OR another way to look at it
The bag will cost ~$155, installation another $100.

An aside:
None of the bags I took off had the type of vertical cracking I saw on several of the coaches  in the consignment lot.
They had wear at the bottom. Of the 8, one had failed and one really looked bad (see pic below).

hth
Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
 

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #1 –
Thanks for the post, good information to know. I need to check mine.
Dennis & Martha Harrell
2000 Foretravel U320
2014 GMC 4X4 Sierra Crew Cab Pickup

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #2 –
Thanks for the post. Bag replacement is high on my list of things to do next year.
2002 U320 40Ft  MC # 15759
Coach # 5995
Previous coaches
2002 U320 coach  #5941
1996 U270 coach #4808

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #3 –
If you're DIY savvy and not too stiff like we all get, the bag R&R is easy. Just have to plan ahead, gather tools and read previous posts. Without the right extensions, etc. a 15 minute job can turn into half the morning.

Anytime you work around the coach when it's jacked up, easy to make a mistake and get hurt badly. Safety items are also on earlier posts.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
If you're DIY savvy and not too stiff like we all get, the bag R&R is easy. Just have to plan ahead, gather tools and read previous posts. Without the right extensions, etc. a 15 minute job can turn into half the morning.

Definitely need a plan/tools for the front bags on the bus style.  FOT had to use a hole saw in our entry stairwell to get to the fittings on one of the front bags.  Our labor cost for an '03 was the same as Elliot's '96; Firestone bags at FOT came out to around $168.50 after MC discount (tag bags are a different style, Goodyear brand, and were more expensive).

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #5 –
An extended crow's foot should catch the hard to get at nut but not a common tool and may have to be made like I did.

On the other hand, $100 for someone else to do it could be cheap if you get hurt.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #6 –
Ditto Elliot, after 140,000 miles asked MOT to change.  A 2001.  They were a bit reluctant, the thought bags looked fairly good except I was concerned about the bottom of the bags where they curl under as lower them, kinda crumbling looking.  Turned out to be good idea, the underside, touching the metal inside the assembly on two was worn thru the first fabric layer

I heard a bag blow out one time sitting on dealer lot, really quite a shock, must have been lots of pressure.  Then I saw one coach trying to limp along with a blown bag, not good.  Prices at MOT and FOT about same.  Friends were going to do themselves, it can be done, but when considered the labor cost, opted to hire it done. A couple had to be cut out. Good things too done by someone else, had to go back several times to get the connection leaks stopped.  Another option IF in Nac area is Bernd has done some for Forum members and I hear that they have been pleased.

Good luck.

mike
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #7 –
We had ours done about a year ago  by Berndt Ramspeck, and his guys did an excellent job, but the right front bag on the front axle was really really hard (they didn't use a hole saw.)

Cost for all bags and labor was $2000 - about the same as FT cost at that time.
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #8 –
When I did the fronts I "bit the bullet" and removed the fenders. Turned out to be a easy thing to do and to re-install. Made the job MUCH easier.
When your in there, and have the room, its a GREAT time to replace or adjust your Koni shocks and get at anything hidden behind the fender.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #9 –
Removed all the fenders when we did mine.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #10 –
We did not want to remove our painted fenders, so here is how we accessed our front air bags:
Air Bags Replaced - 1997 U270

One of the nice things is we can easily get back to them to fix a leaking air line, etc

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #11 –
I know I have said this before but I remove fenders every time to do something like this. Our coach has full paint too and it is not a problem to remove/replace the panels and once back in place it looks the same. To me this is a no brainer,and, you get the chance to check many other issues/things that are right in front of your face. They are simple to remove. I have not had the front one next to door off but will one day.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #12 –
I recently had ours inspected and they looked good.  As a BTW, for our 91GV, it takes about 2 months to get new replacement ones.  I think that this might be one of those items that would be good to have a spare one on board.  Thanks and have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #13 –
Fritz,

I thought they were all the same on our GVs and later. Truck Spring at the top of the post has them in stock and delivers in a couple of days. Part number includes top and bottom plates with vinyl stud protectors but no fasteners. We do carry a spare as well as some special tools.

Air Bags

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #14 –
Pierce  ----  I'll check it out.  The Freightliner folks in Spokane told me that it took two months.  It may be that they only have one source and that is what it takes from them.  I also should note that for my rig the front and rear bags are different, so having only one bag as a spare probably wouldn't work.  ( 50 - 50 chance and I'd have it wrong)  Thanks and have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #15 –
Pierce  ----  I meant to ask you if your rig has 4 air bags or 8.  Thanks again  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #16 –
Fritz,

Ours has 8. Excellent to have a record of Foretravel models/years with fewer bags and different part numbers. With our air bags, there are several different companies that manufacture them. Firestone seems to be the most popular with ours but Goodyear and others also supply them.

Please post your part numbers along with the company that made them. Might be one of us might know of a supplier able to send one out without the wait. I called Truck Spring and found them very helpful, even giving me the number of them in stock. Might try calling them. Truck Suspension, Bilstein Shocks, Firestone Air Bags, Timbren, Leaf Springs - 1.800.358.4751 The price was a delivered price and arrived in 2 days to California from the midwest.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: Air Bag Replacement Cost (maybe)

Reply #17 –
Pierce  ----  Our 91GV has 4 Firestone air ride bags.  On the front are LT15M-O, part # HLD 90557089.  On the rear are 1T15K-4, part #HLD90557090.  These no.s are from Freightliner and are apparently new numbers that replace the old part no.s - FCC 1398900 and FCC 121255C respectively.  Also,  apparently the ORED chassis with the cummins diesel do not have air bags and are spring and leaf suspension.  Thanks and have a great day  ----  Fritz
Fritz & Kathy Johnson
1991 36'