Air ride bag replacement number?

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Air ride bag replacement number?

June 24, 2012, 09:43:29 pm

I have been wanting to replace my 8 air bags with new ones for some time and am goi.g to have my parts gut check for prices tomorrow. Ive gone through all 3 owners manuals and only fine 1 piece of info. It says air ride bags, quantity 8, part number 7000230. THATS IT, no name brand or anything. Ive looked at every page. They say Firestone, the bottom base is 9 1/2" round and they lift to 12" or just a bit higher. Does anyone have better info about what my 36' 1991 GV would use?

Perhaps another buying source would be helpful as well.

I sent him the number this evening but afterward I looked it up online and was right to guess it meant nothing.

Many thanks

Carl Sandel

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #1 – June 24, 2012, 10:57:12 pm

I went to Barry Beam's site Air Bags and found a wealth of info about the air bags ( bellows and springs ) I DID see a bellows number on them but honestly do not believe that I will source the spring number.
After looking at the break down specs of Barry's, mine were / are the same in size. I wonder if they are very generic for FT to use a lot of the same size. Does anyone know this or have anything to share?

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #2 – June 25, 2012, 01:11:30 am

Carl,

Those Firestone airbags are pretty standard. I know yours are the same as mine. Tomorrow (Tuesday) I'll go out to the coach and get the model number and source for you. I recall (perhaps not accurately) that they were over $100 each. That's not the number they go by.

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #3 – June 25, 2012, 07:48:23 am

By golly Don, That would be awesome! I really appreciate it

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #4 – June 25, 2012, 03:07:19 pm

Carl,

Here's the link: Search - TruckSpring.com

I got mine from Truckspring.com and the model no. is W01-358-9448. In March of '10 I paid $1440 for 8, which amounts to $180 each. I see that today you can get them for $155.71 each. List Price $262.76. If you use that link, go to "Product Details", Overview, at the bottom , the last bullet says "Note: Foretravel, Inc." This price includes the base and top plate and bellows, nothing else needed to buy.

AND, Free Shipping!!

Hope this helps.

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #5 – June 25, 2012, 03:46:54 pm

Carl,
See my post of today over on the foretravel discussions forum, the reply to Dick and Sue.
Replacing Air Bags
Good luck

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #6 – June 25, 2012, 06:58:40 pm

Carl,

I have replaced the 4 rear bags on my rv. Not at home, so I'm not sure exactly sure who I bought them from. I believe it was Michigan truck spring. They had them and shipped fairly promptly, but it was a couple of months before I replaced them. Cost for 4 was a little over $600. Not too difficult a job. It took about 2 1/2 hrs, but that doesn't include removing the fenders and replacing them, which were already off. I had to ream out the bolt holes on one bottom plate to get the 2 bolts on the piston to go in. Plan on replacing the front bags soon. Any replies may not be seen for several days.

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #7 – June 25, 2012, 10:54:21 pm

This is all great info, from EVERYONE. Rick, Love your pics and tool info as well. You guys are scaring me though. I am REALLY hoping for OE Firestone replacements for...........say, $90 each or less. ( fingers crossed )
Will find out tomorrow what my guy says

I am BTW...tighter than 2 coats of paint, lol

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #8 – June 26, 2012, 11:02:44 pm

So far $130 ea....but mechanic says he still has a couple arms to twist, lol
Patiently waiting. He said if they were "common" he could get them for much less??? I would have thought that our bags WERE "common".

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #9 – June 26, 2012, 11:11:45 pm

Carl,

If you can get them for $130 each, you're still saving $27/bag X 8 = $216 compared to what we can get them for. Remember, the model we gave you is specifically for Foretravel's suspension. Don't settle for something "similar".

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #10 – June 27, 2012, 12:19:19 am

Don, I guess I was thinking that these bags were a generic sort that would fit all kinds of other rigs. I asked about Goodyear and my guy shook his head no. He said if that was the only choice, maybe. I thought Goodyear would be a good second choice....but he suggested we stay with Firestone. It will be interesting to see what other prices he finds.

What would anyone else think about Goodyear if there was much difference in price?
Just curious as I value your opinions...

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #11 – June 27, 2012, 02:38:30 pm

If anyone knows where to purchase Firestone W01-358-9448 airbags at $130 each including shipping, I would buy four. If a bulk sale would result in a lower price, perhaps others on this forum would be interested also.

I investigated purchasing the equivalent Goodyear 1R11-150 airbags but never found a source at less than $150.

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #12 – June 28, 2012, 01:31:08 am

I'm not sure that the shipping would be included. For me they will be delivered to my local county garage. My mechanic is still seeing what he can find for cheaper. I will post when I find out something. A bulk purchase may be in order.

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #13 – June 28, 2012, 11:35:20 am

I was offered a Goodyear replacement but found that the spec sheet had different dimensions. If you get the goodyears it would be nice to know if they fit and function the same.
Good luck,

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #14 – June 28, 2012, 11:55:42 am

I looked for a while but $157 delivered was the best I could do. They had eight in stock when I bought my three. Delivery was quick with overnight optional if you are in a jam. Once you have the coach jacked up and secure, R&R is only about 10 minutes without touching tires. 5 minutes with an airgun. Aside from typical sockets and ratchets, a couple of 12" or so extensions are mandatory and a 1 1/8" (if I remember correctly) modified box end wrench to fit the big nut with the air fitting in case it's stubborn. Compressing the bag with a knee while keeping the vinyl caps on before installation makes it a snap. PM for any questions before you start. See previous posts for internet sources/prices.

Pierce

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #15 – June 30, 2012, 06:58:37 pm

I replaced my air bags a while back and did a write up about it on Yahoo Groups.
If I were to do it again, I would order the ONLY the black rubber air bags and not get the metal inserts with the airbags.
The bags are held on with one bolt and it should not be a big deal to remove the old bag and replace it with a new one.
I don't know the pricing difference but there would sure be a shipping weight difference.
Anything that heavy has to cost a lot extra these days.
Regards,

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #16 – June 30, 2012, 10:25:16 pm

Jon,

If we cannot find black rubber bags by themselves, would it be easier to buy the set with top & bottom parts, and reuse the original top & bottom parts and just replace the rubber bags?

Would this allow air bag changes without the need to remove fenders?

Is this possible and logical?

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #17 – July 01, 2012, 02:09:36 am

I mentioned buying only bags to my neighbor and he looked at me like I was cerazy and said not to ever buy bags only, always buy the whole unit. No explaination.....sometimes I just don't think he understands but then knowing who he is and the only thing he's ever done for the last 20 years is work on our county diesels, I have to just go with it and believe there is a reason for what he says.
I'm still waiting to see if they will come in less that the $130. There would be no shipping for that price.
I was looking at the way mine mount and believe the fender will have to come off to reach one bolt on I think 4 of the 8 bags. I'll have to look closer.

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #18 – July 01, 2012, 10:56:19 am

Not much difference between $130 and $155 delivered if one leaks or has other problems. His experience may indicate that the bag installation on old ends has pitfalls.

Trying to figure if your '91 mounts like my '93. Which bags have the potential access problem for the one bolt and which bolt is it? Will look at mine and compare.

Pierce

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #19 – July 01, 2012, 11:32:14 am

We took one air bag apart, well almost. The bottom bolt removes the bottom plate, but the rubber bag is factory crimped to the top plate. Don't know how one could re-crimp a new bag to the top plate.
The power coat on the bottom plate was peeling, so that would need to be re-coated.

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #20 – July 01, 2012, 11:46:47 am

When I replaced my rear airbags in January this year. I searched internet for the Firestone bellows #1T15L-2 and found only one source where the price was more than I paid for the assemblies.

I agree with Jon that it is very easy to remove the one bolt holding the bottom puck on and did actually disassemble the removed assemblies. However, the bottom pucks (# 1T15L-3) are cast from an aluminum alloy (4 lbs) and were corroded and rough. Sanding cleaning and repainting could cure that.There would not be any risk of leaks because the bolt holding the bottom puck threads into the rubber stopper that is molded inside the airbag. The airbag would hold air without the bottom puck attached.

The top plate is different, it is steel. The circular edge of the top plate is crimped over the open top of the airbag. Without the top plate, the airbag becomes a bucket. Firestone bellows # 1T15L-2 includes the top plate.

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #21 – July 01, 2012, 02:00:13 pm

Pierce, here's what I found. Both very front bags will be no problem. Laying down with right tools should get all 4 bolts. Rear front can get 3 bolts BUT will have to take fender off to reach top bolt nearest to gen on drivers side and fuel cell on pass side.
On the rears, the far rears on both sides should be no problem other than a bottom on each side is tight near the tire...right tools should allow to get past that. Front rear top on both sides will have to remove fender to reach, can't see a way without AND....the bummer is, there is a trim strip with screws about every 12" that is CAULKED to the coach and is 14' long and shaped to bend around the rear and up to the engine compartment door. So that will not be fun and I wish there was a way around it.

Some guys have mentioned that the cords are showing on their bags....I don't have anything like that at all....but the rubber is like shingle gravel that crumbles off fwhen I rub my hand on it. They may not be that bad but I sure would feel better knowing they are brand new. I think I will just stay with the OEM Firestone products.

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #22 – July 01, 2012, 02:54:38 pm

Quote from: Carl Sandel – July 01, 2012, 02:00:13 pm

Pierce, here's what I found. Both very front bags will be no problem. Laying down with right tools should get all 4 bolts. Rear front can get 3 bolts BUT will have to take fender off to reach top bolt nearest to gen on drivers side and fuel cell on pass side.
On the rears, the far rears on both sides should be no problem other than a bottom on each side is tight near the tire...right tools should allow to get past that. Front rear top on both sides will have to remove fender to reach, can't see a way without AND....the bummer is, there is a trim strip with screws about every 12" that is CAULKED to the coach and is 14' long and shaped to bend around the rear and up to the engine compartment door. So that will not be fun and I wish there was a way around it.

Some guys have mentioned that the cords are showing on their bags....I don't have anything like that at all....but the rubber is like shingle gravel that crumbles off fwhen I rub my hand on it. They may not be that bad but I sure would feel better knowing they are brand new. I think I will just stay with the OEM Firestone products.

Carl,

No need for fender removal. For the hidden nuts, use a very short double box combination 3/4" or 19mm. Unless you have a long "crows foot", they are too short. Using two 1 foot 1/2" or 3/8" extensions quickly remove all the bottom nuts and then with a matching Allen drive, connect to the short combination and loosen the nut enough to remove by reaching up with fingers or using the short combination with your hand. Another option would be to cut off a 3/4" combination at about the 4 inch mark and weld on a 3/4" nut. You could then use a regular socket to access the visible nut loosen the top hidden nut. The nuts are not on too tightly so it's a easy job with only road debris that is in the threads slowing the process down slightly.

On the fronts, start the engine and turn the steering wheel so you have the maximum clear area near the bag you are working on.

Tip: soak all studs and nuts with penetrating oil the night before. Buy a new set of the 3/4" nuts and washers before you start (matching the threads). The bags don't come with new nuts. You can clean up the large existing nut on the stud with the air connection. When you are all ready with ducks in a row, leave all the black vinyl caps on the airbag studs with the exception of the air supply stud. Place the bag on the ground and compress it with your knee and while compressed, put the vinyl cap back on the big stud. It will seal the stud and the bag will stay compressed. You can easily move it into position then. I like using a box end better than an open end as they can't round off the nuts.

If you can't picture what the short combo looks like, I can post a photo. HF has the short wrenches.

Make sure the rig is secure before crawling under! Am sure you will but have to say it.

Don't take off that fender!!!

Pierce

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #23 – July 01, 2012, 02:58:03 pm

Carl,

They also make a long special wrench that makes a 90 degree turn and will extend down a foot or so. Easy to connect to that tool and loosen the hidden nut.

Pierce

Re: Air ride bag replacement number?

Reply #24 – July 01, 2012, 03:17:35 pm

Photos are worth a thousand words. Here is a couple of photos examples of a wrench for hidden nuts.

Pierce

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