Pacbrake Compressor dead

[wcjp]

My Pacbrake compressor died today. The piston/pump end was totally destroyed. Pacbrake also fills in the bolt holes on the piston cover with epoxy so it can't be disassembled. Once disassembled lots of small metal pieces and ball bearings fell out. Pacbrake was working great yesterday/today. Just dropped off friends broken Jeep at the dealer. We were on the way home with empty car hauler when the compressor detonated. Not sure about my next step. Out of warranty.

 

[wcjp]

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[Dodge5256]

if its made by pacbrake then ditch it and get a valair unit which should be advailable through pacbrake for your application. i cant even tell you the number of pacbrake compressor failures iv seen over the years, they just dont last long. i replace my pacbake compressor with the valair replacement and have had zero trouble with it even since.

 

[JRMora]

When mine died I went with a Firestone SHD compressor. I was adding airbags and needed an in cab control. Pricing everything separately was way out there in price. If/when this one goes I will replace with a 100% duty cycle Viair. The Firestone is a 50% duty cycle unit.



Anybody have the stock bolts they removed when they installed the Pac compressor? I lost mine so my Pac compressor is "abandoned in place".



Juan

 

[wcjp]

This was the Pacbrake supplied Viair unit that died. No parts available individually. Not rebuildable. The cylinder head bolts were filled with epoxy so it couldn't be taken apart. Never again with Viair. Looking at many options. Just towed this weekend with no exhaust brake. Not fun.

edit: Pacbrake now recommends some off brand pump. They no longer recommend the Viair for their compressors. Whatever I buy will have 100% duty cycle.

 

[PVasilauskis]

edit: Pacbrake now recommends some off brand pump. They no longer recommend the Viair for their compressors. Whatever I buy will have 100% duty cycle.

Interesting, I just finished installing my PacBrake PRXB mere hours ago. When it arrived on Tuesday the discharge port that sticks out from the head of the compressor was busted off (probably because there was no packing used at all. It was simply placed loose in the box along with the bags of parts and hoses) PacBrake sent a replacement 2nd day air so I could put it in this weekend since we're taking the RV out next weekend. Anyways, the unit they shipped is the same Viair model with the dongle sticking out the back of the head. At least that one was securely pack for shipping.



Next upgrade is going to be a 100% duty cycle compressor with at least a 3 gallon tank under the bed.

 

[wcjp]

I ordered an Air Zenith OB2 100% duty compressor from Hornblasters. Should be here next week. Haven't decided on tank yet. Will likely run the current 1gal airtank for now. I'm in the middle of two Jeep projects right now. It's designed to be installed on the frame. I called many offroad type compressor companies. Low Rider tech was the best for me. Kilby Air was out of the budget. Sears currently has a 5gal tank for $22.



For the Jeep I bought a 3gal tank/compressor combo for $70. Going to ditch the compressor and keep the tank for Sanden Air on the Jeep.

 

[CKelley1]

where the pac brake compressor mounts is why we do not use many of them the bd mounts the compressor out of the way, cooler location and no vibration. get there compressor and mounting kit

 

[wcjp]

where the pac brake compressor mounts is why we do not use many of them the bd mounts the compressor out of the way, cooler location and no vibration. get there compressor and mounting kit

That's a very slick compressor location. Too late for me. BTT

 

[JimScott]

Don't buy PacBrake

Obviously PacBrake has a problem. My compressor died yesterday and when I called PacBrake I was told "We can not help you today call back in two weeks. "



This is not an acceptable response. I am leaving on a trip today, over mountain passes with my 5th wheel in tow. I need a new compressor.



My recommendation is to stay away from PacBrake and their micky mouse compressor. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE!



Jim

 

[wcjp]

Obviously PacBrake has a problem. My compressor died yesterday and when I called PacBrake I was told "We can not help you today call back in two weeks. "

This is not an acceptable response. I am leaving on a trip today, over mountain passes with my 5th wheel in tow. I need a new compressor.

My recommendation is to stay away from PacBrake and their micky mouse compressor. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE!

Jim

A quick and dirty way to bypass the air would be a $100 portable compressor tied to either the broke Viair or to the tank. Shouldn't be difficult. Since your a 5th wheel you could throw the compressor into the bed of the truck.

Edit: I went with an Air Zenith compressor. Way overkill for my Pacbrake.

 

[wcjp]

Here's two pics of my Air Zenith. Per the company, the compressor can be mounted anywhere at any angle. It can not be submerged. I'm not sure if the current location is permanent. It's Extreme Overkill for the Pacbrake.





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[JimScott]

Air zenith

Where did you get your Air Zenith? And, where did you mount it? I can't tell from your pics. PacBrake has offered to replace my compressor under warranty, but the repacement won't be available for a couple of weeks. Aparently they have switched to a different supplier, not Valair. I am going to need a replacement sooner as we are heading to a place with the trailer in tow where there is a steep several mile downgrade that would tax the truck brakes and make me uneasy. I may want to replace the compressor now rather than wait for PacBrake.

Jim

 

[wcjp]

I bought my Air Zenith from Hornblasters. I used the original Pacbrake pressure switch. It comes setup for 1/2" fittings. I downsized to 1/4" fittings. 1/4" fittings is more than enough for my use and cheaper. Still using the Pacbrake 1gal tank. I'll upgrade later. I had Jeep projects waiting. The expensive addition was 8gauge wiring and 70amp Maxi fuse. Wiring was about $100. I used Marine grade wiring. Still using the Pacbrake solenoid at stock location. I ran a new 1/4" air line to the engine compartment for running tools/tires etc. Still have to swap out the blow off valve. The one I had sitting around has a very small leak. When I swap out the pop off valve I'm going to add another 1/4" line to the driver rear wheel well next to my Pacbrake airbags fill valves.

The Air Zenith is mounted in the driver rear wheel well. Also used rubber isolaters.


edit: I had some aluminum sitting around. Used it to cut out a splash guard.





Train Horns & Train Horn Kits By HornBlasters

 

[JKloppe]

Check these out. PM for pricing.



Product Listing - Air Compressors

 

[SHovis]

I mounted a Viair compressor in the same location as wcjp. It did not survive the winter because the air filter could not handle wet conditions. The compressor ingested a lot of road spray and died a slow death. It pushed mud as far as the check valve on the air tank. This problem could be solved by using a better air filter designed for wet conditions or by remotely mounting the air filter in a dry location.



I solved the problem by buying an ExtremeAire compressor and mounting it inside the toolbox in the bed of the truck.



This learning experience cost me around $200 so thought I'd pass it on. I should have known that the Viair filter wouldn't handle winter salt and mud in it's exposed location.



Steve

 

[wcjp]

I mounted a Viair compressor in the same location as wcjp. It did not survive the winter because the air filter could not handle wet conditions. The compressor ingested a lot of road spray and died a slow death. It pushed mud as far as the check valve on the air tank. This problem could be solved by using a better air filter designed for wet conditions or by remotely mounting the air filter in a dry location.



I solved the problem by buying an ExtremeAire compressor and mounting it inside the toolbox in the bed of the truck.



This learning experience cost me around $200 so thought I'd pass it on. I should have known that the Viair filter wouldn't handle winter salt and mud in it's exposed location.



Steve

After my problems with the original Viair I wasn't going that route again. I did call Air Zenith about my proposed location. They said as long as I don't submerge in water I'd be ok. I considered relocating the Air Zenith air filter. It uses odd metric fittings. Per Air Zenith the filter was designed to be in high water splash enviroment. The splash guard was built to help with the water. I'm going to reevaluate in late September when the rain returns to the PNW.