Converting 102c3 brakes from DD3 to spring brakes

[blue_goose]

Has anyone made this change and if so what did it take to make the upgrade?
Jack

[chessie4905]

First thing you have to do is see if there is sufficient clearance between of end of dd3 and bulkhead. The shortest maxi brake chamber is approx 1 1/2 to 2 inches longer. You also need room to install the caging bolt to release them for towing. On GMC's, except for 4104, there isn't enough room. Body or mounting bracket surgery would be required.
In any case there will be valve, line, and other components removal, and rerouting of air lines at back.

[ol713]

   Hi;
      Question;    Why would you consider this change?  If you rebuild your
      DD-3's,  they will be good for years and years.  That would mean no
      re-engineering the coach and less money required.
                                      Good luck,    Merle

[luvrbus]

Jack,never done a C but the spring brakes are 9 inches long,the C was a transition model if the C is like the D with out the air beam it is a easy change.Plumbing is nothing you use what you have just switching ports on the relay.If the C has a air beam like the older MCI there is not enough room without moving the brackets and longer S cams.You could check into the MGM that have a rotatable piggy back to get enough room maybe         

[blue_goose]

I have never spent any time working on changing anything on air brakes.  Did put new DD3's on my Eagle and replaced the brake pads. Didn't take any knowledge of how they worked to do that. 
We started to leave last week and when I got on the road the compressor wasn't keeping up with the air demand.  When I found a place to get off the road I found air coming out of the lower chamber of the brake air valve.  I thought the air valve was bad so on with a new one, what a job that was.  New E-10 valve and same problem.  Now I did more testing and found when the parking brake valve is off the air doesn't come out of the brake valve.  If it is only a parking brake problem with the DD3's the compressor should have been keeping my air up on the road. 
Well today I am going to get it on the ramps and see what I find in the rear.  If any of you have any idea's please post them here.
Jack

[luvrbus]

Jack,if you have room there is nothing to it,all it in-tales is reversing the air flow direction,spring brakes need a air supply to release and the DD-3 need air to set 

[eagle19952]

Jack,if you have room there is nothing to it,all it in-tales is reversing the air flow direction,spring brakes need a air supply to release and the DD-3 need air to set

Properly operating DD3's are better.
don't understand why anyone would want to convert.

[luvrbus]

Properly operating DD3's are better.
don't understand why anyone would want to convert.

Availability and price plus the DD-3 are only found on a bus so the price greatly reflects that ,Eagle have had spring brakes since the 80's fwiw
 

[Geoff]

Spring brakes are good with a manual transmission if you have to start going on a hill.

[richard5933]

Spring brakes are good with a manual transmission if you have to start going on a hill.

Never having had spring brakes, could you explain?

[Lee Bradley]

You set the spring brakes. Select the gear you want, bring the clutch to the engage point and hit the brake release button, engage the clutch and roll away.

[eagle19952]

Spring brakes are good with a manual transmission if you have to start going on a hill.

I guess. Hill holder brakes...

[eagle19952]

Properly operating DD3's are better.
don't understand why anyone would want to convert.

IIRC Euclid used them too, way back when.

[Sebulba]

That is just what I was thinking --hill holders

Seb

I guess. Hill holder brakes...

[richard5933]

O. IC. Did not know that. Guess it's not necessary to apply the service brakes to disengage the parking brake with spring brakes. That would be helpful.