DD 3 Replacement, 4108

BC Bus · February 07, 2012, 01:25:10 PM

Does anyone know for sure which spring brake part # will replace the DD3 in my buffalo 4108. There isn't a lot of room between the dd3 and the bulkhead

thanks

Bill

bevans6 · February 07, 2012, 03:43:54 PM

FWIW, and I know that there is some angst about the supplier and the cost, I chose to install two new DD3 cannisters this summer. I was very happy with the service and the quality of the parts. I decided to go that route since I didn't want to put rebuilt cannisters in, or re-engineer the whole braking system to a spring brake system. For the life of me I can't remember the supplier, which kind of sucks, but someone must know - the rebuilder that everybody likes to hate in Chicago...

Brian

FloridaCliff · February 07, 2012, 03:47:37 PM

REI

http://stores.ebay.com/REI-BRAKE-SUPPLY?_rdc=1

Cliff

bevans6 · February 07, 2012, 03:54:53 PM

yeah, those guys! Thanks for the assist...

Brian

luvrbus · February 08, 2012, 05:17:11 AM

A 4108 shouldn't be that much different than a 4905 what say the GM guys, the 4905 wasn't that hard to change over I did it in a day I had to move the long rods on the trailing arms and make new brackets

chev49 · February 08, 2012, 07:41:32 AM

Thanks for the link which i added to my saved sellers...

wildbob24 · February 08, 2012, 09:34:10 AM

Bill,

The only spring brake chamber I know of that will fit your 4108, without modification, is the out of production Mini Max. The 4108 is the same as the 4905, so Clifford's method will work.

Clifford,

As I recall, we had this discussion over at BNO back in November. Although I don't feel a need to change my DD3s (they're working fine), I'd still like to see the photos of that spring brake conversion you did for future reference.

Thanks,

Bob

bevans6 · February 08, 2012, 10:48:56 AM

I would also like to know how the plumbing was changed to suit spring brakes rather than DD3's. Air to the spring chamber, anti-compounding, dual tank front and rear vs single tank, etc.

Brian

luvrbus · February 08, 2012, 10:59:23 AM

I gave on posting photos lol Bob I did get the engine finished and back in the 4905 thanks to your help it looks good I am going to fire it today and I did break down and buy a manual found one at thrift store for 5 buck with the 8v71 manual not bad.

? for you on the transmission I take it the 4905 did not come with V 730 no mention of one in the manual I have

Good detail on going from DD-3 to springs on the Eagles board Brian for Eagles it all same no matter what bus if you have the room our safety guy here Jim and a Eagle owner did one in a RV park a few months back

good luck

wildbob24 · February 08, 2012, 12:36:06 PM

Clifford,

The VS2-8 was offered as an option on the later 4905s. I've seen one that came that way from the factory. My understanding is that the V730 was also offered towards the end of the run (1979-80), but
I've never seen one. Most every one you see (mine included) will be a conversion.

I understand the problem with posting photos. You might have better luck attaching them to an email. Most email services allow for pretty large files. Send them to me at buffalobob@busnut.com and I'll try to post them for you.

Bob

BC Bus · February 08, 2012, 03:01:54 PM

Thanks for all the discussion guys, good info.

Can anyone tell me what spring brake will work in the 4108 or 4905 ?

Thanks for helping

buswarrior · February 08, 2012, 07:43:51 PM

I'm familiar with the later New Look drive axle configuration, where the spring brake chambers were under slung.

Tons of room in that style, and the stock roto-chambers were abandoned for modern piggyback spring brake chambers seen on everything these days.

Is there an elegant way to get the brake chambers underneath on a parlour coach in the same style as the transit coaches?

How close in measurement to swap the beams that the axle attaches to?

Just thinking out loud...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

luvrbus · February 09, 2012, 04:20:06 AM

BC, I do not know of a direct replacement for your 4108 but the spring brake can be unlocked and rotated to different positions using the same brackets it will help in small clearance areas no more than they cost buy one and check it out.

You can also check a Mack Truck dealer Mack used the mini max back in the 60's and 70's I have found a set at Mack before

My next project is going to install springs on a MCI 8 I don't think it is going to be that hard myself the 4905 wasn't

good luck

thomasinnv · February 09, 2012, 07:41:45 PM

Hey Clifford I can provide the guinea pig bus for your brake swap project.