07-09-2025, 04:43 PM
Time to wrap this story up.
Regarding the previous post, it was an electrical problem. And a pretty minor one at that. The culprit was a bad connection on the LF level switch. One of the spade connectors was not seated all the way. I pushed it on, but it still felt a little loose, so I cut it off and replaced it. Everything works fine now.
The following is a summary of my airbag adventure. Hopefully, some of the information will be useful to others who decide to replace their airbags themselves.
Most importantly, do not do what I did: Don't wait til you have a problem before you address it. I have had coach 300 (1992) for 5 years and never really checked the airbags. I have spent a lot of time under the coach and never paid attention to them. The airbags I removed were the original bags that were installed when the coach was built. Out of the 8 airbags I removed, there were 3 with readable labels. I was pretty shocked to see the 1991 build date.
Replacement Airbags: Continental - ContiTech AS8897. This was not a one-to-one replacement, but it was an easy modification to make. Basically, I removed the bottom base from the Firestone bag and swapped it out with the Conti base.
The Conti airbags were 164.00 each (+ i got a 10% military discount). Compared to 575.00 each for Firestone Airbags from Newell. If you do the math, the total cost for 8 airbags was 1,180.00 vs, 4,600.00 Not bad. I got them online at Truck and Trailer Parts ContiTech AS8897 Air Spring - Monaco 01804591 10108394. I probably have another 10.00 per bag in the conversion hardware, including the 45-degree fittings. The Conti airbag has a 3/4" opening for the air hose. The 45-degree fitting is a 3/4" male NPT x 1" 37-degree Male Flare. Ebay for 6.00 each.
Lessons Learned: You have to be a contortionist (per Richard: Coach Yoga). Very seldom do you have any leverage. Don't waste a lot of time trying to remove the 45-degree fitting from the airbag; use a Sawzall and get it over with. Get a set of Stubby wrenches from (Harbor Freight 45.00), they make a world of difference. Use some straps to compress your new airbag before you try to install it.
The most frustrating part of the process was trying to reinstall the air hoses to the bags. The hoses are very stiff and hard to manipulate, which makes it very difficult to get good alignment on 45-degree fitting. Be patient and make sure you use a good thread sealant (Loctite 545, Rectorseal TruBlue, etc.).
I really appreciate everyone's help.
Special thanks to:
Richard for being a Guru Master Sensi. There ain't much he don't know or can't figure out. And he is willing to share it all.
Jeff LoGiudice for going out of his way to help get me back on the road with a set of airbags. Gave me the time I needed to change out all the airbags.
Carl Little for his stellar research and pointing me in the right direction on the Conti airbags and how to convert them to be perfect replacement. His level of detail was awesome, and he saved me a chunk of money in the process.
Regarding the previous post, it was an electrical problem. And a pretty minor one at that. The culprit was a bad connection on the LF level switch. One of the spade connectors was not seated all the way. I pushed it on, but it still felt a little loose, so I cut it off and replaced it. Everything works fine now.
The following is a summary of my airbag adventure. Hopefully, some of the information will be useful to others who decide to replace their airbags themselves.
Most importantly, do not do what I did: Don't wait til you have a problem before you address it. I have had coach 300 (1992) for 5 years and never really checked the airbags. I have spent a lot of time under the coach and never paid attention to them. The airbags I removed were the original bags that were installed when the coach was built. Out of the 8 airbags I removed, there were 3 with readable labels. I was pretty shocked to see the 1991 build date.
Replacement Airbags: Continental - ContiTech AS8897. This was not a one-to-one replacement, but it was an easy modification to make. Basically, I removed the bottom base from the Firestone bag and swapped it out with the Conti base.
The Conti airbags were 164.00 each (+ i got a 10% military discount). Compared to 575.00 each for Firestone Airbags from Newell. If you do the math, the total cost for 8 airbags was 1,180.00 vs, 4,600.00 Not bad. I got them online at Truck and Trailer Parts ContiTech AS8897 Air Spring - Monaco 01804591 10108394. I probably have another 10.00 per bag in the conversion hardware, including the 45-degree fittings. The Conti airbag has a 3/4" opening for the air hose. The 45-degree fitting is a 3/4" male NPT x 1" 37-degree Male Flare. Ebay for 6.00 each.
Lessons Learned: You have to be a contortionist (per Richard: Coach Yoga). Very seldom do you have any leverage. Don't waste a lot of time trying to remove the 45-degree fitting from the airbag; use a Sawzall and get it over with. Get a set of Stubby wrenches from (Harbor Freight 45.00), they make a world of difference. Use some straps to compress your new airbag before you try to install it.
The most frustrating part of the process was trying to reinstall the air hoses to the bags. The hoses are very stiff and hard to manipulate, which makes it very difficult to get good alignment on 45-degree fitting. Be patient and make sure you use a good thread sealant (Loctite 545, Rectorseal TruBlue, etc.).
I really appreciate everyone's help.
Special thanks to:
Richard for being a Guru Master Sensi. There ain't much he don't know or can't figure out. And he is willing to share it all.
Jeff LoGiudice for going out of his way to help get me back on the road with a set of airbags. Gave me the time I needed to change out all the airbags.
Carl Little for his stellar research and pointing me in the right direction on the Conti airbags and how to convert them to be perfect replacement. His level of detail was awesome, and he saved me a chunk of money in the process.
Tony and Cindy Frazier
1992, #300
2023 Ford Bronco Badlands Toad
Columbia, SC