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The stock crappo michelins are virtually impossible to get with a recent date code. As a result most are rotten, even though they may have lots of tread. The 14.5 size exactly crosses to the modern size 365/80 R20. Continental makes a purpose-specific replacement in that size and that is...

Nothing on the A3 engine is electronic -thankfully!

I'm lovin the Continental MPT-81 in the stock size 365/80R20. These are available new from conti dealers and run new at about $650 each. I bought two a couple months ago and they had 2011 date codes and a molded in NSN, even though I bought them from a commercial dealer. Mounting them was a...

The CTIS system will automatically disconnect and isolate all 6 wheels. When you turn it off or cut power via the truck run switch, the CTIS manifold valve de-energizes and vents to empty all the tubing running to the wheels, isolating each wheel. If you have a tank leaking air ( per your...

If available, I'd opt for the schottky diodes which in industry has replaced 'old silicon rectifiers' in power supplies. The drop in a schottky is half or less than that of a Si diode. That makes for a lot less heat buildup and more reliability/ longer life.

The CTIS on the A3 does work but will not tolerate poor maintenance. It also does not inflate flat tires per the TM and that is true in practice as well based upon the design of the system. I just spent months going through my system to put it back in working order. I did not replace any parts...

It's pretty hard to fry an alternator except by short circuit or excessive loading over a long time which wears out the commentator & brushes. The regulator is what fries due to transient load switching.

agreed. Check the compressor unloader attached to the compressor. They commonly wear out and only cost about $15 at a truck stop or Napa

Do not use Transcend - it's a waste of money. I have been very happy with Napa hydraulic/trans oil. It carries dex III, GL, C4 and other important ratings. It is cost effective, professional and comes in 5 gal pails, so that works for the flushes and fills from just 1 pail. Napa also sells the...

Many folks have troubles with the air o matic when they recover an A3 because the drag link controller gums up and either does nothing or just uses all the air and does nothing. The usual cause is that the valve assembly is rusty and gummed up from both sitting and a inoperative air dryer. The...

-Especially true on the A3, where all of it gets pulled out by the air dryer, if it isn't clogged by all the excess oil. Also, feeding oil into the air compressor inlet is a good way to destroy the air compressor with hydraulic lock or even worse, to possibly detonate it if the oil combusts in...

As indicated earlier, brand new ( not NOS) 14.5R20 with NSN cast in the tire are available online from Expedition Imports

How close are your duals actually running? The numbers I ran are from the factory specs for the tires (46.8" Dia)

I used chain choker. The hooks on 3/8 chain works perfectly with the lug holes on the rim. I didn't use any additional jack since the hoist/tire combination rolls the hoist on top of the tire all by itself. It's a great 1 man operation.

The best deal I've seen for exact A3 replacement tires is the Continental MPT-81 in 365/80R20 which is the 14.5R20 in modern nomenclature. They are in stock and available from Expedition Imports in Vallejo California. These are new stock tires. I just had two shipped to me last week and the...

It took a bit to realize that the 'aluminized anti seize' was just the standard Napa antiseize poop in a tub. Not even the venerable Napa parts wizards knew what it was! When I looked at the regular Napa stuff it was then we figured out that what we knew as "Robot Snot" was the same thing...

The A3 Tire Rosetta Stone Here's the magic document. Kneel and bow your heads :-P There is great truth here. I did it wrong, struggled and then saw the light and did it right. I'm up to step #11. Next weekend is the tire mount. I'll follow the document from the start this time. Based upon...

Is acetylene available? I've been hearing it's impossible to get and you have to switch your regulators and tips to propane to gas weld anymore. The only source for the raw material for acetylene in the USA blew up and there was no intention to replace it.

A few months ago I downloaded an attachment to a thread called 'A3 Tire Change Procedure' This weekend I finally got to put it into practice. The document described step by step how to get an A3 tire off the rim and install a new tire on a rim. I started out on my own without re-reading the...

The alternator does not charg both batteries evenly. This is the reason that one bad battery prevents the pair from charging. It is also why some folks recommend peridically disconnecting and charging each separately The battery with higher internal resistance determines the performance for...