Trucking: Air bags, safety violation, service criteria

Question
Not sure this is fits into your expertise, but here goes. We have three 1995 Great Dane air ride flatbeds. The bases for the air bags have chunks or pieces broken off. These bases are plastic.  They tell me the entire air bag must be changed, at 180.00 a pop. Was told by Great Dane that having the bases in that condition does not pose a problem to the airbag. I was wondering if however this may be a safety violation of some type? Would not want to get cited with an out of service at a weigh station or roadside inspection.
Thanks,
Don  

Answer
Good Morning Don.
The North American Standard Vehicle Out of Service Criteria only addresses ( Deflated air suspension )i.e.,system failure,leak etc.if you could get a letter from your Great Dane dealer to the effect that this condition does not effect safe operation it may help. But remember road side inspection are subject to inspectors interpretations asto broken or missing parts.

Wayne