Best / Worst Air Packs?

[blisters13]

I have seen many posts about air packs failing after a short life.

I have not really seen posts about the best ones, which is what I want.

I rebuilt mine but the hydraulic cylinder was badly pitted; I honed the crap out of it and then polished it with 600 grit and washed it, but it seems to be sticking whenever I slam on the brakes (as a test in case of emergency). Pushing the brake pedal somewhat slower than normal gives a normal brake application. I disassembled it a second time to check for wrong assembly, damaged new parts, and even blew thru the hydraulic to make sure the check valve was working correctly and it does.

It did not do this before, so either I screwed up the assembly (twice, while referring to the TM page-by-page), the cylinder is no longer the correct dimension and is making the piston cocked in the bore and sticking, or some other problem.

The master cylinder is new as of today and made no difference. I am using fresh DOT5.

I will be buying a new air pack.

Any recommendations, or warnings about suppliers?

P.M. me if you don't want to publicly call out anyone.

Thanks. Need this done, got several shows and parades in the next couple months.

 

[welldigger]

I bought a current production short style from tnj 2 years ago and I haven't had a minutes problem with it. I don't really know if the short style is any better than a long style. Just relaying my experience.

 

[hndrsonj]

There isn't a problem with the air packs. The problem is that people don't drain their tanks and a lot of crap gets into the air side.

 

[blisters13]

There isn't a problem with the air packs. The problem is that people don't drain their tanks and a lot of crap gets into the air side.

So all manufacturers make excellent products? And all vendors are awesome?

You didn't post something useful to the thread; please re-read the title and third-to-last sentence/question.

 

[hndrsonj]

So all manufacturers make excellent products? And all vendors are awesome?

You didn't post something useful to the thread; please re-read the title and third-to-last sentence/question.

Really? These are built to mil spec. It's like asking which is better white or continental-no difference. The only thing I would look for is one that is newly rebuilt/made and not something from the 50-60's.

 

[welldigger]

I don't put much faith in mil spec. That being said, I don't think there is any evidence that one style of air pack is better than the other.

 

[TehTDK]

That something is built in Mil-Spec is not guarantee that is better then normal OEM or Off the shelf stuff that we can get as regular civilians. That it is "Mil-Spec" just means that it was made to comply with a set of specifications put forth by the military, specifications that can both be more stringent.... or loose compared to the normal standards the items are produced in.

 

[gimpyrobb]

To the OP, did you catch that one of the TMs has WRONG rebuild instructions? One of the TMs shows to install a seal backward.

Also, the air packs are designed to do the same thing and they are interchangeable. Some have brought up that the short ones do not displace as much fluid as a long style. I'm sure if it wasn't designed to work in place of the long style, they would have had a warning issued. Also, I see the short one as better since there is less parts in the rebuild kit, but as pointed out, someone that does not drain the moisture from their air tanks is going to destroy EITHER air pack from the inside out.

As to who you like vendor wise, I think that is like asking if "Miller lite" taste great, or is less filling...

 

[blisters13]

So far I have had one respondent actually answer my question (Thanks Welldigger).

I am looking for experienced opinions about which vendors to avoid or which are recommended; several vendors on epay cannot tell me what the country of manufacture is for the "new" airpacks they are selling. I do not want asian junk.

gimpyrobb: yes, thanks, I saw that in another thread and also noticed it in the instructions. The seals concerned are the one which goes at the bottom of the hyd. bore, and must ahve the larger hole so the pneumatic pushrod will slide through. The other seal goes against the hyd. piston and has a hole to allow fluid to pass through when air pressure is not being applied; it's hole is about 60% smaller than the first.

I can see airpacks are a touchy subject, so I understand the tendency to vent or go off-topic.

I drain my tanks at every stop... I understand what water does to pneumatic parts.

BTW, today's price for an airpack at TNJ Murray is $525 plus the ride.

If there is only ONE manufacturer, then obviously half this thread is moot.

 

[peashooter]

I think all of the new mfg long style ones are made in Korea. The ones from Boyce are, although the only giveaway to that is the made in Korea silica gel pack in the shipping box. I don't know when USA production stopped on the longer style, but I know it stopped a few years ago on the new shorter style if that tells you anything. For what it's worth Korea will be the new japan in terms of quality soon.... They aren't there yet but it's Night and day to what it was a decade ago. Japan, Taiwan, and s.korea are the only Asian countries whom I have any faith in their manufacturing.
Put up a wanted add in the classifieds and that will probably be your best bet of finding a midland,haldex,or bendix brand airpack which will be the non Asian ones.

 

[m16ty]

That something is built in Mil-Spec is not guarantee that is better then normal OEM or Off the shelf stuff that we can get as regular civilians.

When it comes to the deuce, mil-spec is OEM.

 

[rustystud]

Did you use the manual I posted recently ? That is the original Midland manual with complete step by step instructions with good pictures.