I have the Jet Air Ride suspension with Firestone air bags and they are reaching ,I presume 20 years of age. Would the airbags , like tires have an expected life expectancy. Although they have some cracks I can not tell if that is normal.
I am inclined to replace to be proactive but would like any thoughts or ways to determine condition.
The Jet air ride (no longer manufactured) is an automatic ride leveling system mounted in the rear only.
Also any input difficulty of replacing these.

Thanks much.

Where can I find the answer to this?

Where can I find the answer to this?

Tires last 6 to ten years. Airbags are not as prone to the sun or heat buildup, but have the same basic material characteristics as tires. Therefore, one can assume they are probably good for no more than ten years.

The big difference is really the "consequence" of pushing them to failure. A tire may go twenty years before failure, but who wants to take that chance. While there may be specific scenarios where an airbag failure could have dire consequences, I personally would not be afraid of an airbag failure as it will simply drop down to the hard rubber mount. It will affect ride and could affect handling. A lot will depend on the number of airbags on your rig.

So............replace them now if you're a stickler for preventative maintenance.

My 1984 tag axle air bags still hold air. There is a slow leak that the automatic pump takes care of every few hours.

I think the failure mode is seldom catastrophic most often just aggravating leakage. My son was in a marching band in the mid 1980s. Their bus was of indeterminate age but was post war (maybe even post Korean war). The order of the day was to count noses, start bus and go to breakfast while the bus rose off the ground and was ready to have its brakes released. No one recalled the year this was not normal.

1989 Regal 25’, small P-30 chassis, 12,380 GVWR, 16” wheels. Chassis built in 1988, took delivery of coach April, 1989.

First Firestone air bag failure in August, 1997; would not hold air. Replaced both bags (recommended). 41,000 miles on coach.

Second failures in October, 2006; both bags not holding air. Replaced both. 65,000 miles on coach.

Tire and air bag pressures were checked regularly and always before any kind of a trip. Air bag failures were picked up that way rather than by any ride or handling issue.

It looks like age is probably the primary factor in failure -- in this case, about nine years.