Failed air bag

I’ve noticed an occasional strange noise from the rear passenger side of the truck for a week or two. Finally heard a louder ping earlier today so I took a quick peek under the truck and found this.



I wonder if Firestone will warranty it? Anybody else seen a bag fail in a similar mode? Might be time to build a frankenpack this weekend.

 

Not good! Just get good HD springs if possible.

 

I've been looking at some HD springs for a while. Unfortunately, most off the shelf springs are for lifted applications. I've spoken with most vendors on the site and all have pretty much told me to move along since I'm not looking for 3" of lift in the rear.

I'm probably between Alcan and Boise Spring Works right now, but there is a lead time on both of them. Alcans are twice the price, but a whole new spring designed to my spec. BSW replaces the overload with a 4 leaf overload for 500, 1000, and 1500 lb additional capacity. General Spring is another option with their 5 leaf HD spring (vs 4 leaf stock); it only add 600 lbs additional capacity. I've scaled my truck loaded but never when it was empty... so I don't know exactly how much more the rear weighs, just how much it actually weighs.

I was just surprised to see the metal ring fail on the bag.

 

It's not all bad cuz you should get both better handling and a better ride. I suggest some greasable shackles and bushings as well.

 

For sure. I've actually got an Icon 3 leaf pack in there already and Energy Poly bushings. I had to put the stock shackles back on since my Coach Builder shacks froze up. Greasable shackles would be nice.

 

My understanding is that General Spring makes a no lift HD spring set, maybe another option to investigate further.

 

They are 6 or 7 years old IIRC. I bought them new and could probably find the paperwork if I had to. I sent Firestone a contact request Tuesday but haven’t heard back from them. I did find a warranty pdf and a phone number that I’ll try. I found it interesting how the bag actually failed.

 

If I could find a zero lift but “HD” weight capacity leaf pack I would also be interested. My factory leaf pack with the progressive 3 leaf mini AAL gets me the extra beefiness I want but also lifts the rear 1.5”. If the rear wasn’t lifted I’d still have a little rake but it would improve the look.

 

Ya, honestly these bags don’t owe me anything. They’ve been worth the money I paid for them so if I’ve got to pony up for a new set my feelings won’t be hurt.

 

Well, it looks like their 800 number is just a recording telling you to email them at a specific email address. So I did. We’ll see if they respond. For now, I think I’ll pull the bags and Frankenstein the leaf pack. $5 at the local spring shop got me some centering pins; I’ll measure the springs I have laying around (pulled a couple of basically new leaves from the current leaf pack to install the Icon 3 leaf kit last year). How hard could it be, right? [Famous last words…]

 

If you can get an extra set of hands to help it'll definitely be easier to remove and install. Take it slow and be careful!

 

Is there a good comparison on prices, I just noticed in Canada replacements are $300 per pair, and mine are ripped at the same spot

 

I was being lazy, but I found it in my order, its pricey here lol.....

 

I heard back from Firestone. They said the failure was a warrantable item and asked for a picture of the other side, as well as some information such as a shipping address and where I purchased them. Hopefully I have them all the right answers but it sounds like they will send me a new one. Good on them.

 

After some polite and professional exchange with Michael in customer service, it looks like they are sending out two replacement bags for me. Go Firestone!

Interestingly, the driver's side has some excess wear on it from being slightly under inflated. I usually put a few more PSI in the left bag, but apparently I need even more to compensate for the tundra lean.

 

I believe the Firestone airbag part number is 6410, for reference.