Stone Bennett rebuild ? or replace

BC Bus · November 21, 2011, 12:21:08 PM

My air operated Stone Bennett has slowly quit working and I know why. It filled up with water and gray sludgy crap from the air tank and now the plunger can hardly be moved, even by hand.

Mine is on A V730 and it is old so I think it is a model 654

Has anyone ever had on of these units apart and do you think it is possible to tear it down and clean it up.

Any personal experience would be appreciated.

or does anyone just have the shifter unit for sale used and cheap ?

Bill

luvrbus · November 21, 2011, 12:40:43 PM

Clean it out not hard to do anyone body can do it you can download a manual for free

good luck

scenicruiser997 · November 21, 2011, 12:46:05 PM

Mine is starting to do the same. I have to manually put it into drive. It will downshift to neutral and reverse, but will not push out the cylinder back to neutral or drive. I am thinking it's either the down sequence relay or a dirty air cylinder. As soon as I can get mine back to my shop, I'm going to tear the cylinder down and clean it, after checking the relay. Good luck

gus · November 21, 2011, 05:35:38 PM

Will you two guys please let us know the results of your cleaning attempts.

I've never had mine apart but due to its very low location I can see it can get really dirty from all the oil running down over it and the highway dirt from the rear tires.

The main problem I've had is the two tiny wires to the solenoid loosening and making shifting erratic. It is really tight getting to them and the screws holding them are tiny, a real pain to get to.

These are not complicated things so I assume taking them apart and cleaning is not rocket science. Of course I've never done it so that makes me an expert!!

travlinman · November 21, 2011, 07:12:38 PM

Bill,

After you get it cleaned up check your governor setting. Mine was having trouble on the upshifts and just by luck when I replaced my governor and reset it for 120psi my shifter started working well again. Before that my air system would only build to 110psi.

TM

Oonrahnjay · November 21, 2011, 08:14:45 PM

Quote from: travlinman on November 21, 2011, 07:12:38 PMAfter you get it cleaned up check your governor setting. Mine was having trouble on the upshifts and just by luck when I replaced my governor and reset it for 120psi my shifter started working well again. Before that my air system would only build to 110psi.
TM

Do they work on full air pressure? (my trans shifter has a 90 PSI limiting device - but my bus is very diffferent from one with a Stone-Bennett shifter).

Iver · November 21, 2011, 08:38:42 PM

Just as Clifford says, it is pretty simple. Just follow the manual.
I took mine apart just to see how it worked. Make sure the air line fittings go back to the same position.
Iver.

BC Bus · November 22, 2011, 06:46:40 AM

Do I need to order a gasket kit ahead of time ?

Yes I have lots of air pressure !

scenicruiser997 · November 22, 2011, 08:19:29 AM

Does anyone have a manual for this shifter that they can email? Thanks Aaron

kingfa39 · November 22, 2011, 09:15:42 AM

I have had mine apart several times, it is simple just take it apart and clean it up, i lightly grease it and it works fine till it gets al full of the nasty air again, i think a inline air filter might help. i do not have the manuel anymore, i gave it to the new owner along with the bus but it is no big deal to do, also watch for lost motion outside where the linkage is located. you can find diagrams online
Frank allen

JLL · November 22, 2011, 01:15:25 PM

I took my stone B apart and back together with no trouble. I bought new parts from a company in San Bernadino Calif. I talked to a fellow named Donnie he was very help and sent all the parts to over haul it. Very Inexpensive. Their # is 800-527- 1637. This is a easy job.
Mine is on a 4106 with a 730 trans.

Good luck
]LL

BC Bus · November 22, 2011, 02:26:27 PM

JL,

Was the company in San Berdoo called United Transmission ?

JLL · November 23, 2011, 09:26:41 AM

'I can't remember if United Transmission was the name . I guess i'm having a senior moment.
JLL

luvrbus · November 23, 2011, 10:19:06 AM

Donnie works for United

good luck

Bill B /bus · November 23, 2011, 12:09:46 PM

You "should" have an air filter on the air supply line. Air pressure is variable. Mine is set for about 80 PSIG. Donnie at United rebuilt the SB for a 6 position system. I needed the 6th position for low range.

Another thought is to clean up the air system. If there is oil coming through then its a reminder that a compressor rebuild is due. If water alone or with oil then check your air dryer. If no air dryer then go to the junk yard and pick one for installation. For those in the cold country make sure the heater works for the blowdown valve. On the Buffalo it took a rebuilt compressor and an air dryer to stop the moisture and oil. With those installed the daily drain of the wet tank had almost nothing to drain.

Bill