air bags

Topic: air bags (Read 1717 times) previous topic - next topic

air bags

March 02, 2020, 09:05:11 pm

hello, I'm new here, and a new (to me) 1994 Unihome 280 owner. Hope I'm not rehashing a previous topic, wondering what part number or manufacturer produces the suspension air bags...mine still well operational, but looking a bit tired..thanks in advance

Re: air bags

Reply #1 – March 02, 2020, 10:02:44 pm

If you are interested in OEM Firestone bags #W01-358-9948

I purchased mine from Michigan Truck Spring

https://www.truckspring.com/Search.aspx?keyword=w013589448

Re: air bags

Reply #2 – March 02, 2020, 10:15:25 pm

I bought 8 original Firestone's from Foretravel and they were the best price by far. Even got an additional 10% off for being a motorcade member.

Re: air bags

Reply #3 – March 02, 2020, 11:35:04 pm

Conti (Continental Tire and Rubber) air bags are German and excellent. Plus just over half the price. See posts for part number or cross-ref off internet.

AS9448 by CONTITECH
CONTITECH AIR SPRING 64286/1R11-150/8563
About $90/ea delivered.

Pierce

Re: air bags

Reply #4 – March 02, 2020, 11:45:06 pm

I second the Foretravel price. Call Brad and he will take care of you. They were also the best price for new brakes and rotors for my 1996 rear brakes. Join the club for $95 per year and save 10%

Re: air bags

Reply #5 – March 02, 2020, 11:49:29 pm

The Firestone air bags are owned by the Japanese company, Bridgestone. Good quality but no better than Continental. Why pay more??? Bridgestone purchased Firestone way back in 1988.

Wiki quote:

"In 1988, Bridgestone purchased the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio. Placing considerable financial and personnel resources into rebuilding Firestone after the purchase, Bridgestone achieved surplus annual profits for the year 1992 with BFE (Bridgestone Firestone Europe) and again in 1993 with BFS (Bridgestone Firestone USA). The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company and Bridgestone Tire Company Ltd. USA were amalgamated in 1990 and became "Bridgestone Firestone North American Holdings Ltd". The North American subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation is now named Bridgestone Americas, Inc. The tire division is Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC. Bridgestone Americas opened a $100 million technical center in Akron in 2012."

Pierce

Re: air bags

Reply #6 – March 03, 2020, 09:29:10 am

Great info from everyone, thanks all!

Re: air bags

Reply #7 – March 04, 2020, 03:59:29 pm

When I rub the loose rubber bits off, I'm seeing cords, one layer, at the top and bottoms, are they safe..?

Re: air bags

Reply #8 – March 04, 2020, 04:11:32 pm

They need to be replaced. As far as how long until one fails-- sorry, my ouji board is on the fritz.

Re: air bags

Reply #9 – March 04, 2020, 05:21:36 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – March 04, 2020, 04:11:32 pm

They need to be replaced. As far as how long until one fails-- sorry, my ouji board is on the fritz.

Thanks, on the horn to Texas tomorrow am...no road trips planned, so it's a good thing to get done!

Re: air bags

Reply #10 – March 14, 2020, 12:22:08 pm

ordered the Contitech ones...see how it goes, will report further, after the weather becomes nicer..

Re: air bags

Reply #11 – March 14, 2020, 01:57:24 pm

Buy a tubeless tire repair kit. Most leaks are facing the tire so pretty easy to push a plug into the leak and drive home/next town/etc If you do have a leak, best to raise the coach, block the suspension and then let the air out of the bag before you insert the plug Let sit a few minutes and away you go.

Pierce

Re: air bags

Reply #12 – March 14, 2020, 02:35:52 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – March 14, 2020, 01:57:24 pm

Buy a tubeless tire repair kit. Most leaks are facing the tire so pretty easy to push a plug into the leak and drive home/next town/etc If you do have a leak, best to raise the coach, block the suspension and then let the air out of the bag before you insert the plug Let sit a few minutes and away you go.

Pierce

That will work if you can find a specific source of the leak, like a puncture. I've had 2 bags that leaked through several square inches of exposed cord. Soapy water bubbled from the whole area, not a specific point. After cutting the bags open, they looked like new on the inside. Couldn't find any evidence of the leaks. All 8 bags are now replaced.

Re: air bags

Reply #13 – March 14, 2020, 02:42:09 pm

Would also have a few extra D.O.T. fittings handy when you replace the bags.

Re: air bags

Reply #14 – March 14, 2020, 05:15:35 pm

Spray them with 303 protectant and let it soak. Maybe last forever!!!

Re: air bags

Reply #15 – March 14, 2020, 05:57:22 pm

Is there a common area to look for airbag leaks.

On new bags installed by an experienced shop!

All bags were replaced at one time. System worked fine going into shop. Came out will not hold pressure 12 hours.

Yes it's a serious question. !

Re: air bags

Reply #16 – March 14, 2020, 06:08:15 pm

Quote from: Texhub – March 14, 2020, 05:57:22 pm

Is there a common area to look for airbag leaks.

On new bags installed by an experienced shop!

All bags were replaced at one time. System worked fine going into shop. Came out will not hold pressure 12 hours.

Yes it's a serious question. !

Fittings would be a likely suspect. Use dish soap and water in a spray bottle.

Re: air bags

Reply #17 – March 14, 2020, 07:26:35 pm

When I replaced mine I had leaks where the fitting screws into the airbag,had to get super tight,was just a slight bubble.

Re: air bags

Reply #18 – March 14, 2020, 07:35:23 pm

There is no indication of the usage of any form of sealant.

Use or not?

Re: air bags

Reply #19 – March 14, 2020, 07:38:48 pm

Sorry, if the look like they need sealant, replace them. Much better than being stuck on the side of the road with a blown air bag.

I have no problem with a UV protectrant such as Aerospace 303, but if the cords are showing or they are leaking just replace them.

Said another way, if 20 years old now and you are going to keep the coach..................

Re: air bags

Reply #20 – March 14, 2020, 07:53:50 pm

Quote from: bdale – March 14, 2020, 02:35:52 pm

That will work if you can find a specific source of the leak, like a puncture. I've had 2 bags that leaked through several square inches of exposed cord. Soapy water bubbled from the whole area, not a specific point. After cutting the bags open, they looked like new on the inside. Couldn't find any evidence of the leaks. All 8 bags are now replaced.

When you see cords, it's time to order new bags. I've replaced aircraft rubber fuel bladders that look great but when filled with air, they had a million locations where bubbles were forming with a soap solution.

If using a spanner with a broad area of contact, the fitting will come off the top of the air bag without damage. It has fine threads so it has to be lined up exactly and some patience is required when screwing the air supply fitting back on.

Pierce

Re: air bags

Reply #21 – March 14, 2020, 08:32:32 pm

In speaking on my bags. All were purchased June 2019. Installed at SS Longview July 2019.

After install they have only done 340 miles.

Re: air bags

Reply #22 – March 15, 2020, 01:42:06 am

I spent the $$$ on the firestones before I knew about the contis. I did them all because one leaking airbag sucked enough. Now a few years on glad I dont have to worry about em.

Re: air bags

Reply #23 – January 07, 2021, 10:28:07 am

can anyone advise the sizes of the NPT fitting for the air bags? I presume they are 1/4 male to 1/4 male right angle but with out tkaing thme off I can not tell for sure.
Anyone??

Re: air bags

Reply #24 – January 07, 2021, 10:35:15 am

Quote from: RvTrvlr – March 15, 2020, 01:42:06 am

I spent the $$$ on the firestones before I knew about the contis. I did them all because one leaking airbag sucked enough. Now a few years on glad I dont have to worry about em.

I bought 4 Firestone bags years ago, replaced 2 and the rest are 28 years old. I carry a tubeless tire repair kit in the coach. Only one bag has ever leaked and I could see it coming when we bought the coach. My Buffalo Bus's bags never sprang a leak.

Pierce

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