Firestone Air Bag Replacement on 2001 Monaco Dynasty

[Yukon Jack]

I have a 2001 Monaco Dynasty with 51,000 miles, and after closely examining the condition of the 8 ea. air bags on the RM8H 'H Frame' chassis there is considerable weather checking around the entire bag, especially in the hi-cycle flexing areas. I have had discussions with Firestone and Monaco Tech Support persons and have even furnished the Firestone folks with detailed photos of the air bags and all seem to agree that it is time for me to start planning for an air bag replacement repair to avoid a possible future breakdown from a leaking or ruptured air bag.

From what I can determine the Firestone air bags are:
Front - W01-358-9376 (Monaco #8619)
Rear - W01-358-8897. (Monaco #01804591)

From those who may have already had experience with these components, i have two questions:

1. Are these the correct Firestone part numbers since I can't determine the AON numbers on the top of the bead plates.

2. Do you have any suggestions of repair facilities around the Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX, or surrounding area that do quality work and are equipped and willing to do this work at a reasonable cost, since material alone will be about $1,375 from Truckspring.com. I have done all my own maintenance but this project seems to be a little too involved to do by myself since the top bolts will be extremely difficult to access without a hoist.

During this replacement process, since the shocks will have to be partially removed anyway, I am also planning to have the Bilstein shocks replaced with new Bilstein Comfort Shocks, part number 24-187312, from eshock.com at $83.95 each with free shipping.

I would appreciate any comments or advise that you have to offer.

Jack

[darstar]

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

I have a 2001 Monaco Dynasty with 51,000 miles, and after closely examining the condition of the 8 ea. air bags on the RM8H 'H Frame' chassis there is considerable weather checking around the entire bag, especially in the hi-cycle flexing areas. I have had discussions with Firestone and Monaco Tech Support persons and have even furnished the Firestone folks with detailed photos of the air bags and all seem to agree that it is time for me to start planning for an air bag replacement repair to avoid a possible future breakdown from a leaking or ruptured air bag.

From what I can determine the Firestone air bags are:
Front - W01-358-9376 (Monaco #8619)
Rear - W01-358-8897. (Monaco #01804591)

From those who may have already had experience with these components, i have two questions:

1. Are these the correct Firestone part numbers since I can't determine the AON numbers on the top of the bead plates.

2. Do you have any suggestions of repair facilities around the Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX, or surrounding area that do quality work and are equipped and willing to do this work at a reasonable cost, since material alone will be about $1,375 from Truckspring.com. I have done all my own maintenance but this project seems to be a little too involved to do by myself since the top bolts will be extremely difficult to access without a hoist.

During this replacement process, since the shocks will have to be partially removed anyway, I am also planning to have the Bilstein shocks replaced with new Bilstein Comfort Shocks, part number 24-187312, from eshock.com at $83.95 each with free shipping.

I would appreciate any comments or advise that you have to offer.

Jack

I have an appointment Monday at the Cummins branch for replacing 2 front bags I was quoted 850.00. They do not use Firestone. That much I know, except not what brand they use.Its a 3 hr job for 2 bags.

[SPA48]

Just a thought!!!! Do you have to buy the whole air bag unit or can You just replace the rubber bag part???? Either way please keep us imformed.


steve

[fighterpilot]

I replaced the front 4 airbags on a 1997 Monaco Dynasty. My bags were not available and suggestion was have Firestone make them. I found a cross reference airbag that would fit and used them--something to think about if yours is not available.

I also cut a 5 inch hole thru the storage compartment wall to get to two of the airbags top connections. Made life a lot easier and just glued the plug back in that I cut out. I used the jacks to raise the coach to enable airbag removal.

Don't know what your configuration is but I offer the above for your information. If your airbag is like mine you can't just replace the rubber.

[darstar]

The Cummins branch replaced 2 of my front bags yesterday.. It took 3 hrs. total cost parts and labor was 660.00. I was happy with that as when they quoted me a month ago their estimate was 880.00.

[Mike Canter]

Jack, these guys are just 20 minutes south of Fort Worth on I-35. I have had some friends that had work done in the past and they had no complaints
Motor Home Specialist
5411 South I-35W
Alvarado, TX 76009
800-335-6054
Local: 817-790-7771
Fax: 817-783-6395

Texas RV Dealer, Used RVs for sale, motorhome sales, new RVs

[Yukon Jack]

Gunner,
Thanks for the reply, as i hadn't thought of that approach, but i will give them a call to see what they can do. The only exposure I had with them is trying to work out a deal a few years ago for a newer used Dynasty coach and trading in my 1995 Monaco Dynasty and they shot me a totally ridicules price that was obvious to me that they did not want my business.
But you never know until you ask. Maybe things have changed since 2007.

On a side note, after crawling around under my Dynasty and talking to Monaco and Firestone, contrary to what Monaco claims, the rear air bags originally installed are actually the exact same part number as the fronts. The only difference is that around 2001 timeframe, they changed the rear air bags to use a top (bead plate) that used a 3/4" NPTF thread, of which all my front and rears have the standard 1/4" NPTF port threads. Oddly enough, it appears that around 2004 they apparently went back using the conventional 1/4" NPT ports on the rears.

Thanks again for your feedback and have a great rest of the week

Jack

[mojavemover]

I am changing the Firestone Airbags on my 2001 Monaco Executive with tag. Ten bags. $2,269 in parts. Getting the old ones off is a major issue with the top bolts and the airline being inaccessible. Firstly, raise the bus on the HWH system and cut 6 by 4 inch blocks approximately 12 inches long. 4 for each axle bogey. Jam them in place between the bogey and the upper frame members. That takes care of the front steering and rear drive axle. A little different to the tag, but basically the same.

Dump the air and the bus is sitting on its wheels. What I did was first the air bags between the drive axle and the tag. (Easy but gets you into the game) Now the hard bit! All the remaining 3/4 inch top nuts are inaccessible, no matter what you come up with. So, get gravity feed water fill doors from an 02 model (part # 10600615) at $16 each. You will need 4. Cut holes just below the rub strip all around the bus adjacent to the bags.

Easy from then on in. The airlines just slip out but I would recommend changing all unions.

[ImagineIF]

I'm curious why you changed bags in a 2001. I changed mine on a 99 Prevost with 100,000 miles on it because some recommended changing bags at 100,000 miles is a good idea. The bags that came off had no visible signs of cracks or other wear. I've since discovered over the road trucks and buses run them for over 250,000 miles.

[mojavemover]

I am in the process of changing the airbags on my 2001 Monaco with 50,000 miles because I noticed checking and cross checking on the bags on the bottom where they bulge out and could in fact dislodge the outer layer by rubbing on it and exposing the inner membrane.

Also, the new bags with the same part numbers and the same configuration are somewhat narrower than the old ones, implying that the old ones are getting saggy like an old mans underwear.

I live in the Mojave Desert and I think this was caused by the dry weather and low sun angle. I also had to replace all the plastic catches to all the cabinets on the interior of the bus. Either the materials are not of high quality or its the sun, or both. Maybe at the turn of the century material production was somewhat compromised.

[gspyke27]

Originally Posted by fighterpilot

I replaced the front 4 airbags on a 1997 Monaco Dynasty. My bags were not available and suggestion was have Firestone make them. I found a cross reference airbag that would fit and used them--something to think about if yours is not available.

I also cut a 5 inch hole thru the storage compartment wall to get to two of the airbags top connections. Made life a lot easier and just glued the plug back in that I cut out. I used the jacks to raise the coach to enable airbag removal.

Don't know what your configuration is but I offer the above for your information. If your airbag is like mine you can't just replace the rubber.

Do you have the Firestone or the crossover part number for the front air bags?

[darstar]

Originally Posted by ImagineIF

I'm curious why you changed bags in a 2001. I changed mine on a 99 Prevost with 100,000 miles on it because some recommended changing bags at 100,000 miles is a good idea. The bags that came off had no visible signs of cracks or other wear. I've since discovered over the road trucks and buses run them for over 250,000 miles.

How true that is , ...40 years in trucking I do have some experence in these rubber products, and that includes tires. Air bags we replaces when they got to leaking excessively or when a complete failure. Tires when the tread and or the carcass showed signs of extreme wear ( DOT standards ) not sooner and not later hopefully. I had trailer where the airbags were 10 years old and could run another 10 I am sure.

[mojavemover]

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

I have a 2001 Monaco Dynasty with 51,000 miles, and after closely examining the condition of the 8 ea. air bags on the RM8H 'H Frame' chassis there is considerable weather checking around the entire bag, especially in the hi-cycle flexing areas. I have had discussions with Firestone and Monaco Tech Support persons and have even furnished the Firestone folks with detailed photos of the air bags and all seem to agree that it is time for me to start planning for an air bag replacement repair to avoid a possible future breakdown from a leaking or ruptured air bag.

From what I can determine the Firestone air bags are:
Front - W01-358-9376 (Monaco #8619)
Rear - W01-358-8897. (Monaco #01804591)

From those who may have already had experience with these components, i have two questions:

1. Are these the correct Firestone part numbers since I can't determine the AON numbers on the top of the bead plates.

2. Do you have any suggestions of repair facilities around the Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX, or surrounding area that do quality work and are equipped and willing to do this work at a reasonable cost, since material alone will be about $1,375 from Truckspring.com. I have done all my own maintenance but this project seems to be a little too involved to do by myself since the top bolts will be extremely difficult to access without a hoist.

During this replacement process, since the shocks will have to be partially removed anyway, I am also planning to have the Bilstein shocks replaced with new Bilstein Comfort Shocks, part number 24-187312, from eshock.com at $83.95 each with free shipping.

I would appreciate any comments or advise that you have to offer.

Jack

Testing...is this how you reply? Trevor 760-702-0573

[mojavemover]

Originally Posted by Yukon Jack

I have a 2001 Monaco Dynasty with 51,000 miles, and after closely examining the condition of the 8 ea. air bags on the RM8H 'H Frame' chassis there is considerable weather checking around the entire bag, especially in the hi-cycle flexing areas. I have had discussions with Firestone and Monaco Tech Support persons and have even furnished the Firestone folks with detailed photos of the air bags and all seem to agree that it is time for me to start planning for an air bag replacement repair to avoid a possible future breakdown from a leaking or ruptured air bag.

From what I can determine the Firestone air bags are:
Front - W01-358-9376 (Monaco #8619)
Rear - W01-358-8897. (Monaco #01804591)

From those who may have already had experience with these components, i have two questions:

1. Are these the correct Firestone part numbers since I can't determine the AON numbers on the top of the bead plates.

2. Do you have any suggestions of repair facilities around the Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX, or surrounding area that do quality work and are equipped and willing to do this work at a reasonable cost, since material alone will be about $1,375 from Truckspring.com. I have done all my own maintenance but this project seems to be a little too involved to do by myself since the top bolts will be extremely difficult to access without a hoist.

During this replacement process, since the shocks will have to be partially removed anyway, I am also planning to have the Bilstein shocks replaced with new Bilstein Comfort Shocks, part number 24-187312, from eshock.com at $83.95 each with free shipping.

I would appreciate any comments or advise that you have to offer.

Jack

Hi Jack.

Trevor here. We just replaced all ten Air Bags on a 2001 Monaco Executive, using the number you have for the front on all ten, which Monaco and Firestone said was correct.

The rig rides better than before. It is a bit tricky getting at some of the top nuts. So much so that we had to cut holes in the side of the bus (6 inch by 4 inch rectangle) to reach them. Then we purchased gravity water feed doors again from Monaco to cover the holes. It looks good.

Two holes had to be cut through the metal firewall in the fuel tank bay to access the two bags at the rear of the front gantry. That part was kind of hard, but still better than lifting the body off. Not hard. Its all common sense. Replace all air fittings while you are at it.

We did this because the bags were badly weathered about 50,000 miles and our air pressure would go down rather quickly, not from the bags as it turned out, but from a series of minor leaks at fittings. Namely, the air dryer.