My BIG M925A2 Project Truck Is Home - Page 30 - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

cranetruck · 11-10-2009, 07:58

Nothing like taking something apart and putting it back together for gaining confidence in the system.
I have been following Duncan's Tatra restoration project and he just finished doing this to his brake valve. The Tatra 813 system is closer to my 757 brake system, but with added safety features.
As usual Chris, thanks for posting!

Bill W · 11-10-2009, 11:19

Holy Crap Chris
I did not realize your career change was to become a ASE certified heavy truck mechanic!!
After seeing what you've done I ain't gonna whine about my darn ( stronger word ) deuce project anymore.
Great work,can't wait for more pic's and to see the finished product

steelsoldiers · 11-10-2009, 11:57

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I think I enjoy sharing the project with my SS family as much as I enjoy doing the work.

I am going to get the cleaned up relay valve installed this weekend. The good news is I can check the piston on the other one without taking it out of the truck. I just need to disconnect the vent lines and remove 4 screws. I will clean and grease it too as needed. Hopefully I will have brakes after that!

My only other concern at this point in the expeller valve on the air dryer. I may need to pull it apart too. We'll see.

duncan · 11-10-2009, 15:27

Hey man, been following this one almost from page 1, great project, love the report. Good to read the air intake on your compressor is split from behind the air filters, should save you a lot of corrosion headaches when dealing with the air system.

I found that taking off all the valves and relays, then cleaning and greasing them is one of the most rewarding jobs I've done on my truck so far. Guess I love fiddling with little springs, washers, rods, valves, etcetera. With almost every valve I refurbished I was thinking "how did I ever think about driving around before doing this".

When tracing air leaks in my system, I used a shop compressor hooked to a gladhand, so I dont have to run the engine. The shop compressor is in another garage about 100 yards away, so I get an almost silent workarea to find the smaller leaks easier. Not having the engine noise around is a big help

Again, love the project, keep the pics coming! Treat us to another overview picture with the entire truck on please. Have only seen closeups for the last bunch of pages

steelsoldiers · 11-11-2009, 21:29

Thanks Duncan. I have been watching your Tatra project with great interest. An 813 Kolos is on my wish list for the future!

I wish I had access to shop air as that would be a great way to trouble shoot the air system without wasting diesel. Unfortunately, my truck is out in the middle of a scrap yard. I would need a whole lot of air hose!!

Here's a recent pic of the whole truck! I am still waiting on the front clip. Then, it will really start to look like a truck.

cranetruck · 11-12-2009, 08:33

How do you keep it covered when you are not working on it? Thinking about the downpour we are having at the moment.

Why not rent a small portable compressor for the day?

steelsoldiers · 11-12-2009, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by cranetruck

How do you keep it covered when you are not working on it? Thinking about the downpour we are having at the moment.

Why not rent a small portable compressor for the day?

I have a big piece of black rubberized sheeting that was covering the engine when I bought the truck. I just throw that over the engine bay and anchor it with some heavy metal bits. I can't wait to get the hood on there!

My brother has an ex-mil gas-powered compressor, but he has been covered up with projects at home and watchin his little boy so we haven't had a work session together in a while.

duncan · 11-12-2009, 14:09

Ill stop complaining about the leaking roof, no lights and no heating in my garage from now on. You guys are off a lot worse. Again thanks for the pics!

EZFEED · 11-14-2009, 07:58

Wish you could find one of those workshop tents to put it in Chris. Those things are freaking cool! Like a canvas quonoset hut! I am amazed at all of the little systems all over this truck...even more so amazed that they are all fixable items as well (screwed together instead of riveted). I bet that sucker roars! Make a video make a video make a video!!!!!

steelsoldiers · 11-14-2009, 09:24

No kidding! That would be great! I keep telling myself that one of these days I'll have a building, barn, run-under shed, or something else to work under! If I could live in one place long enough, that would help!

There are a bunch of different systems on the truck, but it's not too complex when you start breaking them down into their individual parts. It is nice that most of the air valves can be taken apart and refurb'ed instead of buying new. That relay valve would have cost me over $100 to replace. My fix just cost me half an hour of time and a little white grease.

I promise I will make a new video once I get a few more things accomplished! Patience my friend, patience

Quote:

Originally Posted by EZFEED

Wish you could find one of those workshop tents to put it in Chris. Those things are freaking cool! Like a canvas quonoset hut! I am amazed at all of the little systems all over this truck...even more so amazed that they are all fixable items as well (screwed together instead of riveted). I bet that sucker roars! Make a video make a video make a video!!!!!