Just wanted to say how thankful I am for this forum. This weekend, I successfully got the bus up in the air safely and went through the front end greasing and checking everything, adjusting the brakes and replacing the "E" air filter. I then moved on to the rear brakes and got them adjusted and greased as well. All the brakes are setup for a 1" stroke. I was very glad I did the brakes, I found several that were slightly over a 2" stroke before adjusting and that is getting dangerous. Using the manual and everything I've learned here, it all went smooth!
While I was under there, I found my air leaks, I'm looking for the E1 brake application valve part number 4A-15-115 and the left rear leveling valve part number 12C-6-2. Does anyone know if these are available rebuilt? I'm going to call Luke at US Coach in the morning but I was wondering if anyone had any to sell.
I'm also not happy with the current moisture drain valves on the air tanks and "E" filter and wondered what everyone's opinion is on the best ones.
Bruce
I hope you also learned that as important as the stroke length, is the angle formed between the actuating rod and the slack adjuster when full braking is applied. Should be 90 degrees at full application, you would be amazed at the difference in pressure on the slack adjuster lever at angles other than 90 degrees.>>>Dan ( The worst situation would be 90 degrees on one side and a significant acute angle on the other side, the air pressure at the can would be the same but much different at the S cams causing a pull to one side)
Utahclaimjumper
Yes I was paying attention to that when adjusting the slack adjusters and it looked to be right around 90 degrees when applied. Will be taking a test drive soon and see how it goes.
Bruce
Glad to see you are aware, the time to check and adjust that angle is when you are already involved. I have even had to shim the cans at the mount brackets to bring then into compliance.>>>Dan
We have automatic drains on the tanks on the Eagle. They are really nice. Never have to drain a tank again. They are not all that expensive. Heavy duty truck parts places have them. They screw into the hole the old drain was in.
Don and Cary
If you have the time, leave the tank drains open over night to allow complete drainage of accumulated oil and sludge.
Called Luke at US Coach today, a rebuilt brake application valve is $135 and the new leveling valve is $66 I thought that was a pretty good price. There is a $150 core on the brake application valve.
Bruce
Cary and Don,
How do those automatic drains work?
The Bendix auto drain has a small cavity to hold water and other debris. When the tank is filling with air the path in the drain valve is open to the cavity. When pressure stops building the path to the cavity closes. When tank pressure drops by 2 PSI the cavity now holding any debris drains itself to the outside. Basically, the drain valve cycles every time the air dryer purges.
You can get a better explanation on the installation PDF on Bendix's website.
Got to get some of those, thanks!
Bruce