DD3 Brake Chambers

[gm4106]

Some where along the years someone replaced the rear brake chambers on my GM 4106 with DD3 chambers. I don't have a problem with that. Kind of like the idea of having them now.
Where can I find DD3 Brake Chambers at at fair price?
Why do they cost so much?

[Lin]

I'm sure that the 4106 came with DD3 brakes and, if they have been replaced, that's why they used them again.  It is possible to change to springs brakes, but it does not seem worth the effort to me.  Yes, future chamber changes would be a lot cheaper, but you should really never need to change them again if you do it now.  DD3's cost about $500/ea and they take about a $150. core.  That's what I paid from US Coach last year.  Of course, the core money comes back.  There may be other sources that are a bit cheaper, but expect to pay dearly for them.  There is also the option of buying a rebuild kit.  Although I did not try it at the time, I am told it is not all that difficult, the springs are not dangerously loaded, costs much less, and can be done in a couple of hours. 

[Dreamscape]

Lin, That's a pretty good price! I was quoted last year closer to a grand for each one. I changed mine over to spring brakes on my Eagle, I liked the price of 70 bucks a piece much better.

Paul

[Lin]

Luke's price is within range, but he is not discount.  Of course, he gives huge value in good advice that could be said to make up for anything else.  I would not say that changing over is not good.  I merely point out that, unless you can do it all yourself, it will cost close to the same as replacing the DD3.  With care, these chambers should last at least as long as I own the bus.

[VanTare]

You buy the DD3 new and not rebuilt they are over 1000 bucks ea I bought 2 for a truck we are restoring  

David

[Tenor]

The GM manual does a great job of showing how to rebuild a DD3 can.  Luke does not sell the rebuild kit.  Insurance issues.  I'd take the old one out and see if it will easily dissassemble.  If it will, I'd rebuild it.  I have read that the parts are much cheaper.  The one I went to rebuild would not come apart.  The piston was frozen in place, so I went with a new unit.  Just use some big clamps and take your time.

Glenn

[Ed Brenner]

  You can get the rebuild kits from Bus service Inc. , In Sharon Springs KS.
   John Allen is a very knowledgeable bus mechanic/owner. I have talked to him and purchased from him numerous times.
785-891-3714  1-888-287-3499
ED

[gm4106]

Thanks for all the input.
From my understanding my 1963 GM 4106 did not come from GM with DD3 brakes. It was added on by someone. It also still has the hand park brake lever,and is still working. I would love to go with spring brakes but to much trouble for what it's worth. If  I replace the chambers they should last a long time. Just can't believe how pricey they are.

[ol713]

Hi;
   If time is not an issue, you could remove your cans
   and seend them out to be rebuilt.  Then reinstall
   them.  That's what I did and each can was about
   $100.  I used Airbrake Assoc. This was some years
   ago, but there is probably someone locally that can
   rebuild them for you.  If you have to, check with a
   local charter service and ask who they use. Airbrake
   folks are/were is Santa Fe Springs, Ca. Phone
   1-562-946-4960.
                               Good luck.    Merle.

[JackConrad]

Thanks for all the input.
From my understanding my 1963 GM 4106 did not come from GM with DD3 brakes. It was added on by someone. It also still has the hand park brake lever,and is still working. I would love to go with spring brakes but to much trouble for what it's worth. If  I replace the chambers they should last a long time. Just can't believe how pricey they are.

That is correct, 4106 did not come from GM with DD3s or spring brakes, only the hand lever. Spring brakes will not fit without modifing the mounting brakets on the axle housing (which is probably why they installed DD3). Our MC-8 is in the same situation, DD3s fit but spring brakes do not (which is why I repaierd oer DD3s).  Jack

[Sam 4106]

Hi gm4106 and JackConrad,
The Supplement to Maintenance Manual for a GM 4106, dated 1964, has a section on DD3 Brake Actuator System with pictures of the system layout and a cut-away view of a DD3 brake actuator. There is also a picture of the system installed at the rear axle. So, I believe that at least some 4106s did come from the factory equiped with a DD3 brake system. Maybe RJ Long can shed more light on this subject.
Thanks, Sam 4106

[johns4104s]

Jack,

Did you repair your own>
?

John

[JackConrad]

Jack,
Did you repair your own?
John

Yes, but all they needed was a good cleaning and new diaphragms.  Jack

[Cary and Don]

We got new chambers from H.B. Industries for our 4107.  This was about a year ago and they were $385.00 each for the rears. They went to a lot of work to make sure we got the right ones.  The main reason we needed new ones was due to a truck shop trashing one of the old ones, when all it needed was new rubbers.  They didn't know how to do it without removing the chamber from the bus.

Don and Cary
GMC4107
Neoplan AN340

[RJ]

The Supplement to Maintenance Manual for a GM 4106, dated 1964, has a section on DD3 Brake Actuator System with pictures of the system layout and a cut-away view of a DD3 brake actuator. There is also a picture of the system installed at the rear axle. So, I believe that at least some 4106s did come from the factory equipped with a DD3 brake system. Maybe RJ Long can shed more light on this subject.

Sam's right, some 4106's did come with DD3s from the factory.  IIRC, it became an option in late 1962 or early 1963. 

Not a lot were equipped with them, however, because most bus company owners are quite conservative (just ask BK, for example), and are somewhat reluctant to try anything "new fangled".  Especially as different as the DD3s were in those days.  Only when the major carriers (Greyhound, Trailways, Peter Pan, Indian Trails, Jefferson, etc.) started using them regularly did the smaller carriers start to accept them.

Wish my 4106 had been ordered with them. . . 

FWIW & HTH. . .