| Author |
Message |
don (Bottomacher) (65.58.38.38)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 7:01 pm: | |
I still haven't seen a 4106 with spring brakes, or talked to someone who has done the conversion.
As long as my axle is apart, I would really like to convert or quit thinking about it. If anyone has done the conversion successfully, I would really appreciate the chance to discuss it with you. Thanks
Don |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (12.146.33.74)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 10:58 pm: | |
Don, I don't know where you're located, but we're planning to have ours installed at a shop in southern Oregon this spring. Email me if you like, and I'll give you what information I can.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (12.146.33.142)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2002 - 10:30 pm: | |
Don, no parking brake of any kind is a real bad deal. You gotta have something!
We have some of the short pots that will go on without modifying the body or air beams, but we are planning on the real spring brakes, so I haven't investigated these very much yet.
We've got a working hand brake, at least.
I was planning on digging into these pots that we do have, so maybe I'll get to that in the next few days.
So far as I know, there are four main parking brake schemes in use:
(1) hand brake
(2) DD3
(3) Maxi pots
(4) Spring brakes
The spare pots I was referring to are the Maxi pots. We also have most or all the parts for a full spring brake setup.
Measuring our coach, I find that there is about 8 1/2 inches between the mounting brakets and the body. Spring pots(two chambers) are about an inch more than that.
DD3 and Maxi pots are a single chamber design and the Maxi pots I have measure only 6 1/2 inches long, so there is enough room for them.
The outfits that I've talked with have said that there are a lot of problems with the Maxis, and I believe you have to have air to set them. The DD3 requires air to set, as well, but no air is requied to set the spring braks.
Now that I've went on about this, if anyone has any corrections to what I've said, please sound off. I really would like to get it right, and we've got lots of pieces to work with.
Hope this helps some.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 |
Bob Gallo (64.123.239.86)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2002 - 12:10 pm: | |
I don't know if they still exist, but I bought a kit from International Transquip Industries. It uses an air actuated/mechanically locked system. I've had it 10yrs. Works fine. The part number for the kit was 64-02-3290. It listed for $577. The phone number on my literature is 713-641-2300. |
don (Bottomacher) (141.157.35.34)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2002 - 3:14 pm: | |
Bob
How do you release the mechanical lock? Cable, solenoid, etc? By the way, that number now belongs to a furniture store. Thanks
Don |
Bob Gallo (64.123.239.86)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 9:12 am: | |
They are air released. They behave like a spring brake for the driver, but because of the design, can fit where the original brake chambers are mounted. For the emergency part, they add an "inverse" relay valve in the system so as the air pressure drops the rear chambers appy braking pressure porportionally until the minimum (I think 60lbs) then the brakes are fully applied. A pin then locks the shaft so they cannot be release until air is built up and you push the valve on the dash. They can be easily and safely released manually. They can also be rebuilt safely as there is no spring to take your hand off. The release plunger does have to be cleaned/lubed occasionally as it can stick and the brakes won't release. |
tony gojenola (24.237.70.61)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2002 - 1:54 am: | |
Clarification:
Mechanical Locking chambers are known as DD3 chambers. They require an auxialiary air tank to function properly - to apply air to the emergency chamber when your main system loses air. Parking is provided by applying air to the emergency chamber, and locking the actuating rod in the aplied position. Release is accomplished by reapplying air to the service chamber (stepping on the treadle) and releasing the locking rollers. They are a bit complicated and that is why they are supplied with three separate air lines.
Spring brakes are also known as "Maxi" brake chambers, and the one that will fit in a 4106 without alteration is the smaller "mini Max" chamber, no longer manufactured due to some past litigation. Many of these have been fitted to the 4106 axle in the past, but availability today is about non existent.
I have installed regular spring brakes on my 4106 and am pleased with the result. The precedure is not for the feint of heart, but the chambers are cheap at less than $80 each - and very reliable if properly installed. I have a description of the process, and some pictures in the files section of the GMC busnuts group on yahoo if anyone is interested.
tony gojenola |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (12.146.33.9)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 12:33 am: | |
Tony, can you tell me exactly how to find those pitures in the file section on Yahoo?
Thanks. Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 |
tony gojenola (24.237.70.61)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 3:27 am: | |
Tom: I posted this earlier, but somehow it did not take - or went into the wrong file.
You may have to join the group when you get there, but it's worth it and is free. go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmc-busnuts/
tg |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (12.146.33.187)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 4:33 pm: | |
Thanks, Tony.
I found the pictures and the text file and printed them in living color! I am sure they will be a help.
When we bought our kit from Garry Dean, he gave us a sketch, but no photos. He said he thought that they had some, but he couldn't find them.
Comparing the two souces of information, I would say that yours was much easier to follow. There was a difference, however.
Garry recommended a reinforcing plate of a half inch be welded into the air beam to strengthen it before the mounting bracket was welded on.
Garry Dean did come up with all the parts we asked for and his prices seemed reasonable. It did take quite a while, however.
The gussets carry a stretch loading when the brakes are applied, so we'll probably beef ours up some over what is in your description.
Good luck on your installation.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 |
Gary Carter (216.17.49.199)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 11:18 pm: | |
Good DD3s are available from Nimco at very low prices. They do work well. |
Glenn (Paso) (209.179.205.222)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, February 07, 2002 - 11:35 pm: | |
Could you e mail me the info on nimco.
Thanks much Glenn |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (12.146.33.34)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2002 - 10:17 pm: | |
If you blow a DD3 diaphram, will the brakes still set automatically and hold when you get down to 60 psi? Anyone?
Thanks. Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 |