Freightliner Air Brakes

[halla]

Motorhome Magazine had an interesting article on air brakes from the June issue. I learned a fair amount since this is only my 2nd vehicle with air brakes. It did lead to a few questions.

1. It recommends replacing the air dryer filter per the RV’s maintenance schedule, any idea when that is on our trucks? Also part number?

2. Do you guys ever release the moisture from the air tanks? if you do, how often?

Thanks for the help
Aaron

[FOURWHL]

I looked into it and pretty sure there are auto releases for the moisture on our tanks. New one on the air dryer filter though. I'll be interested in responses

[Webefine]

I have mine replaced every year with my PM service.

[Coolbaldguy]

The air tank should have a low point drain. They usually look like the drain valve (petcock) at the bottom of a radiator. Crack it open every now and then while it has some pressure in it, to drain any moisture from the bottom of the tank. The drier is a desiccant cartridge. It looks sort of like an oil filter. It contains silica beads that wick moisture from the air. The systems usually have a heat element somewhere that warms them and blasts air through to purge the moisture from them. They do go bad after a while due to oil contamination from the compressor. Moisture in the brake system is bad for a lot of reasons, but can be especially dangerous when temps drop below freezing.

[Blackrock]

Air drier elements come in many sizes and can be found in Bendix Air Brake catalogs. Right now one of the most popular filters is the ADIP setup. Mind you there are many others and air volume and application can have a lot to do with what is on any particular unit.
These units have an automatic moisture ejector that will cycle just after the compressor reach max air pressure. This should be around 130psi for ABS equipped units.

[Iwannacamp]

Any truck shop can help you with the brake service and advise. I recommend an independent one. I suppose all towns have them. Now we have the internet and can learn anything, but someone who knows can explain a lot pretty quickly. I suggest to record or make notes of serviceable items to keep an eye on. It’s prolly overkill, but MANY fleets do a air brake inspection every day. Checking the slacks, looking for leaks etc and a walk around.

[Magnatudes]

Blackrock, love this avatar!

[AWF1945]

This is my tanks release.. unless they have changed them since 2015. If you have water coming out which you should not. You need to change your dryer filter. Then continue purging air until water is completely gone.

[AWF1945]

Originally Posted by Blackrock

Air drier elements come in many sizes and can be found in Bendix Air Brake catalogs. Right now one of the most popular filters is the ADIP setup. Mind you there are many others and air volume and application can have a lot to do with what is on any particular unit.
These units have an automatic moisture ejector that will cycle just after the compressor reach max air pressure. This should be around 130psi for ABS equipped units.

Most, not all do not use AD series in the Frieghtliner M2-106. The Meritor Wabco is more commonly used. Some could use Bendix.. Unless someone can prove different. Who knows.. lol could go to the cheapest bidder the next year.[emoji12] oh, and those that have these.. here's the spin on filter part number.

Slim

[halla]

great, thanks Slim.