Firestone sleeve style air springs are used is a variety of applications. Firestone’s commitment to innovation and excellence started 70 years ago with the introduction of the first Firestone air bag. Firestone is a leading supplier of sleeve style air springs for the world’s largest automotive, truck and suspension manufacturers, as well as industrial manufacturing and the air springs aftermarket.
Below are some tips on how to identify sleeve style air springs. Feel free to contact us at 1-800-358-4751 or 989-755-0561 for help finding the correct replacement air spring or air bag. We stock sleeve air springs in our warehouse and have years of experience identifying and installing them.
- 1) Combo Stud
Combination mounting stud and air fitting.
- 2) Blind Nut
A blind tapped hole in either the piston or cap.
- 3) Air Fitting Hole
When using a blind nut or stud instead of a combo stud, a
separate air fitting is required.
- 4) Clamp Plate
Also called the “Cap”, this is the upper aluminum or
plastic end. This provides the mounting hardware, and normally the air
fitting.
- 5) Bellows
The heart of the Firestone Airide (TM) spring is the sleeve, or bellows.
It is made of four layers: an inner liner of rubber, two plies of cord
reinforcement, and an outer cover.
- 6) Piston
The lower end of the assembly that the rubber rolls over
is called the “piston”. This is also made of either aluminum or
plastic. It provides the lower mounting hardware for the assembly.
- 7) Clamping Ring
These are the metal rings used to permanently attach the
bellows to the clamp plate and piston. 
Order Number
The Order number identifies the specific assembly order number that is used for ordering purposes. It is important that the complete order number is used to avoid any confusion, especially with any type of electronic ordering. The complete order number example is W02-358-7017.
Cap Number
The cap number is molded into the material of most caps, followed by an additional four digit number enclosed in parentheses. The cap numbers will generally start with the letters NBD. The four digit number is a stores number for this component, not an assembly identification number. The second four digit number refers to the material that the cap is made of, specifically aluminum or plastic.
Piston Number
This number refers to the piston end of the sleeve. It is shown in the same way as the cap information.
BCR
This dimension is the measurement taken between the two metal rings on each end of the assembly.
Logo Color
The Firestone Airide (TM) spring shield logo color indicates a very specific construction of the bellows.
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