| Author |
Message |
David Anderson (168.215.176.185)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 5:13 pm: | |
This is a piece of equipment that I've never done anything to, so it is time I give it some attention. I have an AD-2 Bendix air dryer and it says to change the the dessicant and oil filter each 25K miles. The shop manual gives a textual description of replacing the cartridge or rebuilding the cartridge. Any advantages of one or the other?
Has anyone changed their oil filter? How difficult? The picture shows it in the bottom of the canister. Also, what is an easy way to check the heater if it is 95 degrees outside?
Where do I get the dessicant, cartridge, and oil filter? Will I need other parts, etc? The text says to coat the O rings in "barium" grease. I'm assuming a truck brake place would stock this stuff, but I'd like to go in asking the right questions so as to not sound too dumb.
Roughly, how much will all this cost for parts?
I respectfully thank you for your wise words of help.
David Anderson |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.59.1)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 6:17 pm: | |
David: I think these are some of the most neglected maintenance items on buses. Both my Grumman and my Jetliner have AD4's. Having come from a "good" transit outfit, the Grumman was maintained faithfully and I have done likewise. A rebuilt cartidge at a truck parts house will probably cost u abt. $60.00. It is just the internal parts already assembled; pull the old one out and stick the new one in. I paid $53 abt. 18 months ago.
As for the Jetliner, I'm currently working on just that. It is located in an enclosed body well behind the tag and I suspected that it probably was seldom maintained. After climbing under there last night and looking at it, my suspicions were confirmed. Bolts don't get crusty rust on them overnight. I have them soaking in Zip 45 now so I can bust them out and rebuild the unit. Keeping them maintained is a lot simpler to me than going around draining tanks all the time. It's an easy job, providing it's not in the shape that mine is in from lack of maintenance. |
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.158.245.238)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 6:38 pm: | |
It's not too bad to buy the kit and repack your cannister with desicant. Saves about $20. Most any truck place will have them.
As to checking the heater, put it in the fridge for a few hours and check it with a ohm-meter. If the thermostat is working, it will be about 6-10 ohms. You can check just the heating element but without knowing about the thermostat, well... If you do any winter driving, this item is important.
Jim |
Chuck Lott (68.223.12.130)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 9:00 pm: | |
David, click on this link
http://www.bendix.com/troubleshooting/airdryers/index.shtml
The Bendix folks are absolutely the BEST. They have a toll free service tech line.I have called several times and their guys really know their stuff. (helped with my dryer, too)
They are super helpful and most of all patient with folks like me. If you call them Monday morning, they can tell you everything that there is to know about not only dryers, but all Bendix products as well.
Hope this helps. Chuck |
Geoff (Geoff) (66.238.120.50)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 17, 2004 - 10:21 pm: | |
I had an AD-2 or some 1980's air dryer in my RTS and I replaced it with a new AD-9. If I remember correctly, it only needs the cartridge changed every 100,000 miles. I love hearing that sucker pop off when the air governor cuts off!
--Geoff
'82 RTS CA |
David Anderson (168.215.176.192)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 12:16 am: | |
Geoff,
Did you replace the whole canister? How much did it cost? 100k miles is quite an interval compared to the 25K my maintanence manual calles for. Also, what about the oil filter the picture shows in the bottom of the cut away view in my manual. Does it need to be changed, also?
David |
BrianMCI96A3 (65.173.87.107)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 1:35 am: | |
I have found AD-9s on sale for right around $200.
There really isn't much wrong with the AD-2 they still make them and I believe still use them on some new applications.
A few months ago I paid $29 for a cartridge for one at a truck parts place.
I have since gotten a box of dessicant material which, I was told at the parts place that Bendix doesn't sell just the dessicant anymore(I was disapointed because the catridge is easy to rebuild...)Obviously, I found out was a lie, they still sell dessicant!
Then I happened on a deal for an AD-9 so now I have multiple choices.
The oil filter doesn't need to be changed so much as it needs to be cleaned, brake cleaner, carb cleaner gasoline or even diesel ought to do it...
Barium grease might be what the book calls for but then a little silicone grease will do as well, or maybe better, the only reason for the grease in the first place is to ease installation and the removal next time, any swimming pool place, or HD will have silicone grease.
25 thousand miles sounds a little low to me, but then I suppose a really damp climate might demand that kind of maintenance...
Here in the the desert we can see over a hundered thousand before the dryer needs servicing, but then with humidity normally at 6 to 10 percent it's easy to see why.
Brian |
mleibelt (66.187.37.12)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 18, 2004 - 1:44 am: | |
I have an AD-2 on my 102A3....I change it every fall and it has stopped all freezing problems...I get the Cart for about $30 with a $20 core and the valve rebuild kit is about $12....I do both every year....Be extra carefull with the o- rings in the valve kit...I got a small cut in one on reassembley one time and it started acting up in the real cpld weather...Cheap insurance in my book... |
David Anderson (168.215.176.235)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 19, 2004 - 1:45 pm: | |
Thanks guys,
As always, the best help comes from the busnuts.
David |
David Anderson (168.215.176.220)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 9:46 pm: | |
Got my air dryer cartridge at San Antonio Brake and Truck yesterday. It cost $30 plus I had to turn in my old core. It comes with the o ring and barium grease. All in all, a very easy job, about 90 minutes start to finish.
Thanks for all your help.
David Anderson |