air bag replacement

[larryweikart]

Here we go again, it's an old subject but I'm in need of air bags (4) for replacement of my old ones on the steer axle. To the best of my knowledge they have a Firestone bellows number of ITI5LL2 and I'm not positive but believe the Firestone air bag number is either FAW013589447 or 445. The coach is a 94. Can anybody verify either of the numbers and send me in the right direction to find some. I've been told that they are not easily available and could require a 2-3 month wait time for Firestone to produce. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING FELLOW NEWELLERS!

[77newell]

Hey Larry I see you are still having fun.

When I faced the same problem I went to the Firestone and used the following document to figure out the current replacement part number:
http://www.firestoneip.com/site-resources/fsip/literature/pdf/AftermarketReplacementGuide2010.pdf

I was able to do that based upon measurements of the bellows diameter, end plate diameter, configuration of the bellows and location and size of the air connection.

Then I got ahold of truckspring in Saginaw, Michigan to order them. They were extremely helpful and their prices were low.
Truck Suspension, Bilstein Shocks, Firestone Air Bags, Timbren, Leaf Springs - TruckSpring.com (http://www.truckspring.com/)

Even replacing them wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The big thing is avoiding your coach having a crush on you. It's OK to have a crush on your coach but not the other way around.

[MrE]

Pretty sure the long wait time was for specially designed bags with a larger orifice, not the standard air bags. When I replaced them on my '73 they were a readily available stock item.

[77newell]

Hey Larry: did you get your air bags figured out. I was wondering more than anything if the advice I gave worked. If it didn't then others would want to know what my kids have already figured out "I'm pretty much useless".

[larryweikart]

Jon: No I haven't yet, I was in Nevada for a while, and of course the weather here in Mi. has been so damn cold I haven't worked on any of the long to-do's I have on my Newells list. All of that just tells you I've been procrastinating, but thanks for getting my mind back on track and thanks for the info. I'll get with it pretty soon and will keep you updated. Do you happen to know what the numbers were for your front bags? Happy Holidays to you and all our fellow Newellers!

[Ron Skeen]

Hi Larry,
i am in Nashville but when I get home I will try to get you the # of the air bags which I use on the 96. I am driving the 96 to Gaylord for snowmobiling feb 9th with 8 men and will be staying in motel. Will be there for 5 days. Any suggestion or advice for bringing a Newell io MI?

[Ron Skeen]

Newell did not go to indecent front suspension until 97. I think all bags for the front and drive axles are the same: Firestone WO1-358-9447 or Goodyear 1R11-066 The tag bags are different. I have change all 10 bags on my 96 along with ride hight valves and front & back leveling six packs valves. Merry Christmas

[77newell]

Hi Ron: as a long term resident of Michigan the only thing of concern with your Newell will be getting the road salt off it as soon as possible. I didn't do that with my 77 and ended up with a few tiny holes in the aluminum skin near the wheel wells. That was before I replace the disintegrating plastic film between the steel structure and the aluminum skin. I'm guessing that plastic has been replaced with something better on the newer models but given the risk I would want to get the salt off as soon as possible. Other than that Michigan is like being anyplace else in the winter - cold, cloudy and fun.

[77newell]

Larry: fortunately I haven't had to mess yet with the airbags on the 93 coach, on the 77 coach the specific information went to its new owner and I didn't keep a copy. If I were to do something with my 93 I would try to find someone with a similar coach that has the numbers and then check the dimensions and shape of those against what is on the coach. Ron has provided a number that may match or not. I just don't have a handle on how often Newell changed the type of airbags on their coaches or if the original number is still available. The ground is cold, the coach is cold, I'm freezing; maybe this is a warmer weather project.

I know I did not replace the 77's bags with the original number, all I did was take the dimensions and the shape along with the air inlet size and location and find a current number and ordered those and they worked.

Sorry I can't be of more help

[77newell]

Larry: Page 21 of the Firestone manual I referenced above shows the dimensions and configuration of the airbag number Ron referenced. Printing that out and climbing under the coach (BRRRRRRR) with a light would tell you in two minutes if this is what you have. It certainly looks similar to what I recall from looking at mine this fall, but similar may not be sufficient.

[larryweikart]

Thanks guys for the info. I believe Ron has the right number for our 94. It matches with everything I can see. Jon is right about winter traveling in Michigan and you normally will have enough snow to ride those groomed trails up north. I've enjoyed snowmobiling in Gaylord many times. By the way, you'll be passing real close to our home on the way north on I-69. If you look east just as you are at the 3 1/2 mile marker you'll see the lake that our island is on. Wouldn't mind buying you a cup of java if time permits! Also a nice restaurant, called The Retreat, close to the last exit in northern In. (exit 357) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[Ron Skeen]

Larry, Thank for the offer. I will be leaving TN am on 9th, don't know what time will be coming through. I do have take off bags for spares but would only use in emer. Your welcome to go snowmobiling with us in Gaylord. If I can be of any help let me know

[larryweikart]

Thanks for the invite Ron but my riding days are over except for my wave runners! Riding in 80' weather is more appealing these days. Just give me a heads up if you have time to stop, coming or going. Cell is 386-679-2312 I plan on keeping my take offs for spares also. There are very few items that will leave you stranded along the road but air bags are certainly one of them. Another is the engine compressor which I found out the hard way.

[Ron Skeen]

Will do. For eng comp I carry a 120 v comp in the bay with hose to where I can feed into the system. This way I alway have aux air.

[larryweikart]

Interesting Ron. What kind of air comp do you carry and how much psi?

[Ron Skeen]

PORTER-CABLE PCFP02003 3.5-Gallon 135 PSI Pancake Compressor this I used in the 96 in the 04 I have a Dewalt D55140 1-Gallon 135 PSI Max Trim Compressor. With these you do not need a doubler. I had a governor to go out on the eng comp and I used the porter cable comp to drive with an air hose run from the bay to the coupling in eng comp. This one might work and is on ebay for $88
PORTER-CABLE C1010 Heavy-Duty 1-Gallon 135 PSI Max Quiet Trim Compressor Lightweight design (weighs 23 pounds and measures 9 inches tall) makes for easy portability


C1010R


Item Weight
29 pounds


Product Dimensions
19 x 15.4 x 10.5 inches

[larryweikart]

Thanks Ron, I'll look in to those!

[77newell]

Larry: looks like life is treating you well. Regarding the air compressor I went with a 155psi Lowes brand that I paid just north of $120 (I think). I went with the higher pressure since my tires need 115psi and the pressure switch on the 135psi rated Porter-Cable didn't kick on until the pressure was less than 100psi, a real nuisance with my needed tire pressures. So, you can't just look at the rated pressure, you need to understand the pressures at which the compressor motor is turned on as air is consumed relative to what you are using it for. For keeping the suspension up the Porter-Cable would have worked just fine, but I prefer the stuff I carry do more than one job such as also inflating tires.