2004 Allure # 31057 Air Bags Info Needed

[Windward]

Got the heat up in the shop and tackled changing out the front air springs. Replacements were what Gregg Bootes provided as a replacement for the discontinued Firestone spring see prior posts for part number.

Once blocked up I removed one wheel at a time to access the air spring easier. There are two bolts on the top and bottom of each spring. One of the upper bolts is a hollow stud that doubles as a hold down bolt and the air inlet to the spring. The 90 deg air fitting is soft brass and would not come out so I had to break it gain socket access to the 1 1/6" nut on the stud. The other 3 - 3/4' nuts came out surprisingly easy.

Looking at the old and new springs side by side it looked like the new one was much smaller in diameter. The other measurements were an exact match. Once installed and inflated it is the correct diameter so the old bag just has stretched into position over the 17 years of inflated use.

The new spring only has a single bottom center bolt vs: two which really doesn't make any difference once in place. I bought new 1/4' male pipe x 3/8" tubing 90 deg air fittings ($10 ea) to replace the ones chiseled off.

Overall the first one was a learning experience and took 1 1/2 hours. The second one went much faster in 45 minutes. I lubed the chassis up while the wheels were off, put the wheels back on and re-pressurized to test for leaks and double check up and down levels/clearances. Everything checked out. I still have 2' clearance from the top of the tire to inner wheel well when deflated.

I included a pic of the checking on the old springs. I might be over concerned about this but if you blow a bag, your on the side of the road waiting for a tow. We don't run tires past 8-10 years so why expect an air spring to last any longer?

Rear springs are next then I can drive at ease now worrying about every bump on the road.

[CountryFit]

Nice job

[CountryFit]

Originally Posted by SillyWilly

Update: Here's what I observed in comparing the original W01-358-7667 specs, and the replacement -8195 which is now also obsolete, with the Automann AB1DK23H-7667. The min and max heights are different (Google AB1DK23H-7667 or see attached image). The min distance sets the coach wheel to chassis clearance if the coach "bottoms out". Bag diameter is also different. The top and bottom mounting are the same pattern, so it will probably fit, but the different bag dimensions could cause chassis interference if there is not enough clearance around the bag, and may give a difference ride. I did review the Firestone resource book and looked at all the configurations that use the 1t15m2 and then picked the ones that had the same top seal plate, and bottom piston mount. I found the W01-358-8203 came the closest. The top studs are a little longer, but my coach has plenty of clearance for that. So is seems the -8203 is the winner. I reached out to both Gregg at OMC and Kevin at Premier for their input. I didn't hear back from Gregg yet, but Kevin took it to his tech guys and they also recommended the -8203. Let me know what you guys think.

I am going to use the W01-358-9275 for the DRIVER axle, and the W01-358-9459 for the TAG. I'm not replacing the Tag Raise W01-359-6932 since it is in good shape.

I compared 8195 to 8203, yes they are very close. The Automann is obviously a little too big in diameter 12.6 vs 10.12 and too high 6.4-16.7 vs 6-15. As only you have the room on the top (1.57 vs 0.9), you should be good to go. Please keep us posted after you get it installed.

[Windward]

I received the new W01-358-8184 rear springs from SD Truck Springs. These were much easier to replace than the front ones. Hardest part is removing the duals and blocking up the chassis. The new ones came with a new top bracket which must be removed as Country Coach welded the bracket to the frame. In addition you must extend the bottom center stud to make it long enough to come through the bottom plate they used. Otherwise you only have a couple threads sticking out.

One thing that was disturbing was the clearance between the mounting bolts of the air dryer and the bag. That inner bolt head hits the bag and gouges a hole in the bag surface. This one was down to the cord of the bag making a weak spot waiting to blow out. There is not much holding the bag in proper alignment as there is only two bolts holding the whole thing in place. The top frame bracket has a couple detents in it but aren't much to hold it in alignment. The front springs have two bolts top and bottom holding them from twisting in place. Rear only has a center bolt on the bottom and a single side bolt on top. I don't know if all Allures have the air dryer mounted inboard the frame right next to the passenger side rear spring with this bolt clearance problem??

Got the new springs on and centered to have clearance to dryer mount.
They were an exact match for this chassis without a tag.

[Jstoney]

Thanks, good to know. Much appreciated!
Jim

[vantango]

What did you learn about finding proper airbags. OMC says Firestone 8184 are “out of stock” and 6 weeks out.

[RVJOHNTX]

See post #13.

I Used the following air bag for front of my 2004 Allure

Product Description
Manufacturer: SAF Holland/Contitech
Part Number: G2297667200

from anythingTruck.com

[vantango]

how about the rear ones?

[RVJOHNTX]

I used the Automann AB1DK23Q-9275 for the drive axle and Firestone W01-358-9459 for the tag axle. Worked perfectly.

[Smitty77]

Nice thread and appreciated the end results and pictures too...

Smooth sailing ahead,
Smitty