Are my "New" Ride Rites Used

I just got my "new" Firestone Ride Rites, which UPS shipped to the wrong address, and they appear to be used and/or abused.

I bought them from 4WheelParts. Everything is loose in the box, no styrofoam or cardboard, and the air bags look like they are covered in a sand/salt mix. Some of the brackets have missing paint and are all dirty and scratched as well. The hardware appears to be new and in a sealed bag.

I took some pictures, not sure if they will help much, but you can see all the crud on the bag and the missing paint on 3 spots, just one edge of one bracket.

I am not sure what to make of it, if I keep them they will be getting a coat of spray paint at least.

Let me know what you think, how did yours look from the retailer?

Thanks

 

not sure. the metal looks pretty new from the pic. and the paint chip is prolly from getting rattled in the box. thats crap if they arent new. you pay the new price and get used ones. WTF?

 

My ride rite air bags were shiny, and black.. Yours look nothing like mine did brand new. I would say there is definitely something going on there.

 

ask if u can return them and through a fit if they dont let you. tell them u will call corporate and that usually helps...that condition is just unacceptable

 

I explained the situation to the retailer via email. I will keep the thread updated as things progress, or don't. Thanks

 

The bags look like that--at least mine did. Same deal, all of it tossed in a box.

I didn't get mine from 4WP.

 

I agree, that metal looks new but those bags are a tad dirty. I'd try cleaning 'em up and see if you can look for any other signs of usage other than the dirt.

 

Mine had rubber nubs and some dust, but looked new overall... My guess is you got a returned set....

 

I doubt it. That white spooge you see in the bags is to keep the rubber from sticking together. I'd inflate the bags and make sure they hold air before you install them--if it passes, install them.

 

The light scratches and dirt are tolerable, but there are numerous areas where the paint is gone, I can see shiny metal. Without being painted, there would be very bad rust in one winter's time. I can't believe they ship like that, just a jumble in a box.

 

I sent 4WheelParts an email 10 days ago and have heard nothing back. So, I spray painted the brackets and I am just going that route. I will say it is not acceptable to even get a response from them. I still am not sure if I got new stuff, o well. I won't say that I will never buy from them again, but it won't be often and I will look elsewhere first.

 

why not call them instead?

 

main thing to look out for is dry rot, it weakens the bag and as pressure builds or what have you, the bag will pop, but no telling when. don't worry about the rubber by the mounting plates, they will look as if the bellow (rubber) will rip off the end plates but it won't. I have been using Firestone air bags for a very long time (my usage for air bags is more extreme most of the time).