56 Cent PacBrake Repair - Thanks TDR!

[JDeMont]

On 5/19, I posted my frustration about my PacBrake compressor failure and two subsequent air hose failures.



Replies from Harlan and jelag (Jim) as well as my regular auto mechanic prompted me to go to our local truck stop (Witham's) & get some replacement hose and two compression ferrules.



I didn't realize that tightening the nut compresses the ferrules. (All I had was the old hose & thought maybe there was a special tool to compress the ferrules). Now I know & the cost was $0. 56 for a foot of hose & 2 ferrules. Saved me a 65 mile round trip to Grants Pass (to the installer) and brightened my day immensely.



For the record, I am very satisfied with the PacBrake itself.



Jim DeMont

Medford, OR

 

[jelag]

Jim... . We've been selling HD clutches to Witham's for maybe 20 years... . their awful nice people... . but that new interchange on I-5 is the pits to get through in a large truck... .

 

[JCasper]

So did you have a leak that caused the problems.



I think I have a slow leak I need to go find. My compressor runs almost every morning when I turn the key on.



When my truck gets back from Rips I am going to chase it down with some soapy water.

 

[JDeMont]

JCasper: The scenario was ---

• Compressor failure (cost > $500 to replace at PacBrake dealer. )
  
• They apparently used too much hose & it got against something hot & blew out so the compressor ran all the time. They fixed it "free. "
  
• The hose blew out again & I took it off & noticed a place where it had melted (part of the old damaged hose I think) & blew out. So I fixed it this time for $0. 56.
  

Re: slow leak. I do not have a tank, so the compressor runs each time the brake closes the butterfly. Then the hose blows out, of course, there is no back pressure so the compressor will run continuously until turned off. If your leak is a hose or fitting, it should be simple fix as I described; i. e. , a bit of new hose and a couple of ferrules.



Jim D.