Look what I found on the Bendix site:
http://www.bendixvrc.com/itemDisplay.asp?documentID=5252
Bulletin No: PNU-130-000
Effective Date: December 5, 2008
Subject: Discontinuance of Bendix® SD-3™ and DD-3™ Actuators
Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC is discontinuing the availability of the SD-3™ and DD-3™ actuators and service
replacement components. The time line below outlines the phase-out process.
Prior to December 5, 2008: Orders will be accepted until December 5, 2008 or until current inventories are depleted.
All Bendix Services will be available.
After December 5, 2008: All Bendix Technical and Customer Support will continue to be available for the listed
products until December 31, 2009. Orders will be processed for items in inventory.
After December 31, 2009: Bendix Technical Support (SWAT) will be available in support of the Bendix® product
in the field.
I suppose the writing was on the wall when MCI stopped using them a few years back.
We need to identify if there are alternative sources of supply.
Get out and beat the bushes, busnuts!
happy coaching!
buswarrior
It looks like MCI quit using DD-3s when they introduced the D series. Interestingly enough they went to auto slack adjusters at the same time they went to spring brakes.
It appears MCI quit using DD-3s on new buses more than a few years ago with the possible exception of the MC-12. Still, there are quite a few 102A3s and 102C3s still in revenue service so I'm surprised Bendix would discontinue DD-3s.
Busworrior,
What did MCI go to?
Thanks
John
MCI has been successfully using automatic slack adjusters since at least 1975. Optional equipment. They were using the SAAB auto adjusters, which look exactly like the Haldex style ones we see today, with the external arm to rotate the cam. I have 'em.
And with the rest of North America, auto slacks were regulated in 1995 on new stuff, IIRC
MCI is using regular spring brake chambers on their drum brakes and the disc brakes come integrated, a DLISA product with a monster stroke.
happy coaching!
buswarrior
I didn't know auto slack adjusters were required as of 1995. That would explain part of why MCI installed them as standard equipment on the D series since the Ds were introduced in the early 1990s.
When did ABS become required on buses? I know trucks were mandated to have ABS sometime in the mid to late 1990s. My 1995 Dina has ABS only on the tag axle.
Same regs for buses and trucks, the regs are air brake specific, not vehicle type.
happy coaching!
buswarrior
Auto slacks were an option in 1965, they are shown in my MCI IPC. FWIW