Cracked Firestone Air Ride Bag

[IMD4runner]

So I've been using these Spring Air Bags from Firestone for just one year and over the winter one of them has crack right across the bottom.
I'm not using a compressor. Just pumping it up if I'm using the trailers.
I called up Firestone and they are sending me one right away - no questions asked...
How should I take that?
Is it because that happens all the time??
Is it because that never happens??
Has anyone of you who use them experienced this fault?
Cheers.

 

[DRC]

I am not familiar with the Firestone air bags specifically, but I do know that some manufacturers require that you leave a certain pressure in the bags at all times, like 9psi or 10psi, to keep their shape and prevent this sort of thing. When not in use did you leave some pressure in the bags to hold their shape? (If this is required for the Firestone bags)

Edit: Read an install manual and it says "minimum 5psi" so, as I understood the manual, you should be leaving 5psi in the bags at all times.

 

[berettashot117]

that sounds like great customer service to me. I mean if it already lasted over a year, why would you be worried?

 

[IMD4runner]

I always left a minimum of 5 psi in the bags as stated in their documents.
In fact I still have the 5 psi on the right side now - that's why my runner sits 3/4" higher on the right...I thought about taking the air out to make it even, but decided not to.
I guess it's the cold winter that cracked it - I'm north of Toronto in Ontario..it was quite cold a few times.
Well, I hope the new one arrives soon and that this won't happen every cold winter.. that's why I'm worried. I think it was just bad luck on a part.

 

[empty403]

I believe Firestone Ride Rites and some Airlift air bags carry a lifetime warranty minus the hardware (hoses and valves). I also have the Firestone on my 4th Gen (only ~5000miles though). My buddy install an Airlift on his '06 Tundra and he had a slow leak on one side after the install. Airlift also sent him a new airbag with no questions.

Also, I leave the pressure on my at 0psi because I don't like the slight bounciness in the rear, when unloaded. I live in California, so I will see how they hold up after snowboarding a few times in Tahoe. I think both manufacturers recommend a minimum setting to prevent the airbags from moving/rotating/twisting within the coil which may screw up the airline and/or airline connection.

 

[IMD4runner]

Thanks for the feedback, everybody!
I will keep you posted once the replacement is installed.
I hope this cracking won't occur anymore.
Cheers!

 

[TOPSECRETTUNDRA]

I had the kit on my Tundra and it always leaked, I installed them just like the instructions called for but they would leak down over a few days. They worked great for pulling my 9000lb trailer but it upset me that they leaked. I never contacted Firestone about it because I knew I was gonna get rid of the truck soon. I would think with a big name like Firestone when it comes to airbags, they would be pretty worry free.