Fixing the Air System
& Other Stuff
2019-2020
I started to notice that the air was taking a long time to get to pressure and then not holding it for long, so I went over the system.
I found some leaking pipes and gear that wasn't being used any more.
Starting in May 2019, I removed the old Trailer Air Line going to the rear of the Truck, then the old
Trailer Handbrake Air Connection Thing.
Both these are now redundant as modern Trailer air systems use two lines and 8 Bar. My Truck uses a
5.6 Bar system, so removing actually helped by creating less potential air leak problems.
I followed on next, with Pulling out the Air Regulator.
Cleaned it then reassembled with new internal Control Valves
Removed, and I start to overhaul it!
Corrosion on parts before cleaning
Parts stripped and cleaned, waiting for assembly
Found that the Pressure Valve for the Diff Lock Line was leaking, so stripped it, cleaned and
reassembled on gasket sealant
Here Im testing with soapy water and for sure
its a good Leak
Now with the gasket sealant and ready to bolt
together
All cleaned and ready for rebuilding
Bolted and waiting to be put back into air line
Then of course I replaced all the 15 mm Air Pipes but some fittings I needed so they were cleaned of
the blockages
So this is one of the reasons the air wasnt
moving
Quite some Gunk
As can be seen, they were very blocked indeed!
Used a drill bit to remove the worst before
using a solvent and toothbrush to completely
clean them
Of course, I found holes as well in the old Pipes
Once these were all replaced, I had been able to remove a Pipe from the Brake Booster and close the entry with a Blanking Nut that I had removed from the Trailer Hand Brake Thing.
While at the Booster I was able to gain access to two Valves so replaced these as well.
The top Old Air Pipe is the one that will get removed.
Already one Valve is out and a rag blocks the hole
This is where the old Air Pipe went in before the
Blanking Nut is put in
This Bend has an outlet that feeds the air for
the Air Pressure Gauge in the Dash. It needed
new Sealing Washers as all were leaking
One of the two Valves before I rebuild it
Blanking Nut is in as well as New Pipe
New Sealing Washers tight and back in its
position before the Air Pipe replacement
Valve Pulled apart and cleaned before
replacement of the rubber and the
Sealing Aluminium Washer with a Copper one
So all the work I did made a load of difference, and now the air fills quickly and holds pressure so much longer. Removing the old redundant appliances and cleaning what was left helped immensely.
Next up in June 2019 was to replace the old crusty Door Sealing Rubbers
New Door Rubber ready to fit
Opening the metal clips that hold the Rubber in
They fell apart on removal
Clips all open waiting for the Rubber
This is one reason to change them
Crusty and beyond functionality
New Rubber going in
Went together very easily and was well needed. Now the water says out.
In August, the weather was warm enough for another job I had wanted to do for some time,
Repaint my Gearbox with Mercedes Motor Green
Preparing to paint
Finished off in Mercedes Motor Green
In January 2020, I ordered some 2nd hand Tyres for the Trailer that were in much better condition
and younger than the old Nato Mil that were on it.
I got some Michelin 275/80R20 from 2016 and with M&S printed on the side, so I can also use in winter
Old ones coming off
New ones mounted
On the Road again
July 2020, In lovely Sommer weather I remove the passenger side Quarter Light Window, so I can
replace the rotten rubber
Starting to remove the Rubber and the Window. It was quite complicated to get it out and back in
Repainting the Frame
Difference between old and new
Back in place
Opening, closing and keeping out the rain
The Drivers side was then done in May 2023.