Author:
mbulriss
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Date Posted: 09/ 10/ 05, 2:41pm
Been traveling and just saw this follow-up question. The air dryer removes moisture from the air system that provides air for your air brakes, air suspension, and *many* other items on most Birds. If the air dryer ever quits working in the winter and you have water in the system and you park overnight in freezing weather, when you get up in the morning ready to go and nothing happens, your brakes are locked up, frozen, because of water in the lines. Since you have water coming out your air line, you probably need this item serviced. The air dryer is under the Bird, usually located near the differential. Air comes from the compressor on the engine into the bottom of the dryer, which then circulates the air to remove moisture and other contaminants, before the clean/dry air is sent on to the rest of the system. When you periodically hear the air under the bus go whoosh, the unit is purging itself, backflushing itself and blowing condensed water and oil out from the air system before it gets to the tanks, lines, air bags and air brakes. The air dryer has a dessicant cartridge (to remove the moisture) that is replaceable, a small electric heater on the bottom which is replaceable, and the purge valve is re-buildable. It is a standard Bendix part with replacement parts available at any good auto/truck parts place. **DO NOT** crawl under the Bird to work on this, or any other, part without auxiliary jack stands and/or auxiliary jacks under the frame. **DO NOT** rely on the leveling jacks. You must remove all air from the system before working on this unit and the air suspension will drop the body 4-6 inches, onto you, without the proper precautions of the external jacks. There should be documentation in your blue box on the air dryer. Do not attempt working on this system if you are not mechanically inclined.
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