Good morning bus folk!
We are replacing the front air bags on our 1995 DL3-45S. We had a rough go of it (had to machine the plates to get them to fit) the rear 6 bags. The bags came from MCI based on VIN and were supposed to fit. They didn't. Not so bad yet. Then got to the front bags. Not even close. Can't modify to fit.
Are there other places to look where folks have had success? Will be calling Luke @ US Coach this a.m. as well.
Could the fact that this bus is a shell, and never been an over-the-road coach be affecting the air bags up front? I ask because the shell models have 2 shocks up front per wheel, vs. 1 shock p/wheel. I'm trying to figure out how the bags from MCI could be so "off". I realize that with the VIN they should/could have known the difference.
Thank you!
Phil
Is it as simple as the wrong part shipped?
Good help is getting almost impossible to find... anywhere for any price...
Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Since MCI moved their parts operation to NFI earlier this year, the knowledge level (and helpfulness) of the staff has greatly diminished. Before, I could call the parts team at the closest MCI facility and be talking to someone who knew the coaches and parts and would even go so far as sharing the OEM part numbers. Not any more...
I lucked out by finding a local ex-MCI tech who could get OEM info for me. Also, call Prevost Parts. They LOVE to undercut MCI on parts and have cross references for part numbers.
Yes buswarrior, so sad but true. Exchanging pictures of parts, confusion, :o
Kevin - that is fascinating.. I may give them a call - Thank you!
Kind Regards, Phil
Phil you can also go to Mohawk Industries website, or call them they also carry them.
Is there any numbers on the old bags and are they Goodyear or Firestone. Luke mentioned to me once that the Goodyears are better bags.
Dave
Look on the existing airbags for oem part number. With that and a simple google search you should be able to come up with a few different part numbers and go from there.
Good Year is Stemco now and they have screwed the numbers up big time on air springs,my DL had dual shocks and was a seated bus
https://www.stemco.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/STEMCO-Notice-of-New-STEMCO-Goodyear%C2%AE-Air-Spring-Part-Number.pdf
Resuming work on this fun tomorrow.
Cliff, thanks for blowing a great theory I was developing as to why MCI shipped out wonky airbags. (re: 1 shock vs 2 for shell coaches). :o
Seriously though - thank you for clearing that up!!
Thanks for the direct link Dave, hope to be getting into this more, and checking it out in more detail tomorrow. The site looks like an excellent resource. And Derrick, I'll try again re: those numbers on the bags.
Kind Regards all, Phil
Dave!, is that the Mohawk Industries link? Or another option? I looked for Mohawk, but came up with the wrong site each time. Thank you!,
Problem is that, yes, there are manufacturers numbers on the front bags, but they cross reference to a different bag. Luke, MCI, et al are looking at it and coming up w/ the same issue - e.g., a bag mismatch. Luke is still researching.
The good folks at Deadhorse Diesel (nearby to our location) are working this and have a number of others looking for the bags.
The bag seems more pressure sealed (like a tire) vs. the current 'crimped on'.
Thanks all!, Phil
Found the answer! Thanks for all who were jumping in. Continental was able to correct the part # maze. I will post the information once I get the invoice w/ the actual number. Pictures exchanged - all looking much better now.
Kind Regards, Phil
https://www.mohawkmfg.com/
I always use Mohawk bus parts.
Is Otto still at Mohawk?