Firestone Airbags (Blue)
Submitted: Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 22:46
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52563
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Member - George (WA)
Had Firestone Airbags fitted to the rear coil springs of my 100s Landcruiser. That was just over 12 months ago. Right now I am waiting to get the 3rd replacement set fitted. They all leak at the top where the inflator tube connects. ARB tells me that they had a bad batch with the first change, 9 months ago. ARB have never argued about changing over but that is not the point, apart from being a pain in the a***rse having to take the car back and picking it up 4 hrs later, I am starting to loose confidence in the product. I want something reliable. Anyone else having the same problems with FDirestone Airbags (blue)
Cheers
Reply By: Shaker - Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 23:01
Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 23:01
I had problems, but now have the new modified bags which are a darker blue & are different where the hose connects.
AnswerID:
276729
Reply By: Kiwi & "Mahindra" - Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 23:21
Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 23:21
Never heard of Firestone Airbags, but today the Navara got Polayairs fitted.......heard nothing but good things about them, plus Ive seen how they perform in Bucky's Navara...$486 fitted....
I would give up if I was you.....there's only so much that you can take....fair enough change them once but going for a third time...na!
just my 2c worth...
Laura
AnswerID:
276734
Follow Up By: Member - BIGDOG G (WA) - Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 23:55
Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 23:55
Laura
$486 fitted ? I was quoted $850 fitted to my new 70 series.
Are they "POLYAIR" or "POLAYAIR"
I Better get another quote
Cheers...............BIGDOG
FollowupID:
540595
Follow Up By: Member - BIGDOG G (WA) - Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 00:04
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 00:04
Laura No thats fine, just contacted Polyair, I did'nt know there was different weights
Cheers............BIGDOG
FollowupID:
540598
Follow Up By: Member - BIGDOG G (WA) - Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 00:06
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 00:06
Laura No thats fine, just contacted Polyair, I did'nt know there was different weights
Cheers............BIGDOG
FollowupID:
540599
Follow Up By: Kiwi & "Mahindra" - Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 09:50
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 09:50
Dont worry neither did we....Jim next door paid $700+ for his, think he has a Hyundai 4wd that he takes touring with an off road caravan....
We thought we'd be up for the same sort of cost until we booked it in and he wuoted 486...
But our prob now is is that when its loaded up and we pump air into them, they might get through
the springs and rub on the shock which we dont want, and the bloke was really goo about it and wants to see them loaded up before he's happy with them....
FollowupID:
540614
Reply By: japmel - Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 23:26
Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 23:26
I too had problems (on 3rd set) now like Shaker I have the new improved Coil Rites and I haven't had a problem since.
Been a few months now.
Regards
John
AnswerID:
276736
Reply By: Member - Matt- Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 23:32
Friday, Dec 14, 2007 at 23:32
I've got the fire stone bags and had no problem at all, they were fitted to oldish flakey corroded springs which I thought could be a prob, but they've done
well, this includes pulling a
Kimberley Kamper
Perth Darwin return
AnswerID:
276739
Reply By: Axel [ the real one ] - Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 10:00
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 10:00
Got ours [firestone coilrites] from Trucksprings in the USA , forgotten the cost but was less than 1/2 of what was quoted here in Aus , 2yrs on and never a problem , ,,, you say that they [arb] needs 4 hrs to fit ?? they are having a serious lend of you , go to whoa for even a new install takes less than an hr,,,,
AnswerID:
276755
Reply By: Crackles - Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 12:13
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 12:13
George I'd document all the dates of failure & if they blow one more time demand a full refund. Reliability surely must be the number 1 priority. I think it can be said you've been more than patient. Ask ARB to show you what they are going to do different this time, as if they haven't changed the product or modified the installation then they will only continue to fail and most likely on a big trip when you need them the most. Tell them this is their last chance.
The original Polyairs had failures too at the top with the hose rubbing caused by drilling too small a hole & leaving a sharp edge but a change in their installation proceedure has pretty much fixed the issue.
Out of intrest what pressure have they blown at & what is the max pressure you inflate them to when loaded?
Chjeers Craig...............
HZJ105 with Poly's
AnswerID:
276766
Follow Up By: Member - George (WA) - Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 18:02
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 18:02
Hi Craig,
Max 26psi
I was advised by ARB not to exceed 28psi they said the coil springs are spaced further apart on the 100 series compared to the 80 series
Cheers
FollowupID:
540683
Follow Up By: Crackles - Sunday, Dec 16, 2007 at 08:48
Sunday, Dec 16, 2007 at 08:48
Find the bit about the coil spacing unusual from ARB as I just took my Lovell 80 series springs off and transfered them (along with the Koni shocks) to the 105. The only difference I could see between the two was the rear 105 spring is 1 or 2mm thicker to carry the additional weight. The air bags do seem to bulge through
the gap in the coils though and one would think they'd get pinched but certainly hasn't been a problem. At 26 psi that shouldn't have contributed to yours blowing as it's
well within the design pressure.
Cheers Craig............
FollowupID:
540731
Reply By: Dunco (NSW) - Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 17:44
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 17:44
Are Airbags worth fitting if towing a van on the LC100 ???
AnswerID:
276799
Follow Up By: Member - George (WA) - Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 18:06
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 18:06
Hi Dunco, I think they are worth it, the coil springs are inclined to sag in time when you have load on them. Just my view
Cheers
FollowupID:
540685
Reply By: Member - George (WA) - Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 18:09
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 18:09
Thanks to everyone for your reply's. Getting the new set fitted on Wednesday.
I will keep you informed, on this
forum, how they perfom this time.
ARB advised me that they will be the new improved type. Fingers crossed
Cheers
AnswerID:
276803
Follow Up By: TD100 - Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 21:03
Saturday, Dec 15, 2007 at 21:03
George,
i had my left coil rite spit the brass piece out of the top of the bag,toolern engineering(purchase place)changed it no questions asked,they did have this problem on the early bags but not the later ones.to change
mine on the garage floor fart arsing around i did the swap(1 bag)in half an hr,if i remember so it took me 2 hrs to install the whole shooting match!have now installed in cab adjuster and its just ace.cheers Paul
FollowupID:
540700
Follow Up By: Member - RockyOne - Sunday, Dec 16, 2007 at 11:03
Sunday, Dec 16, 2007 at 11:03
Would be interesting to know what model,vintage of brand the Air Bag Man uses on his
suspension setups. As a professional in this field,surely he would be aware of the pro and cons.
FollowupID:
540763
Reply By: Ray - Sunday, Dec 16, 2007 at 09:34
Sunday, Dec 16, 2007 at 09:34
I have been considering fitting air bags to my 80ser. The vehicle very rearly goes off the black top but I do tow an 17'6" caravan.
I have considered the bags that fit in
the springs and also considered the type where
the springs are removedI believe that these type are very reliable but more expencive than the spring insert type. Any advice would be appreciated
AnswerID:
276876