One cheap part brings down my ARB locker - again

[mattadams]

this time the problem is on the compressor, rather then the lockers itself, which blew in moab 2000 due to the spider gears exploding and bringing down the ring and pinion with them, ANYWAYS...
After a long day of hard wheeling (using the locker quite a bit, and it worked magnificantly I might add (when I remembered to turn it on, ha ha), airing up tires getting ready to head back to town. Hear a horrible grinding, followed by a woosh and lack of pressure. Quick shut off the compressor and popped off the hose to see there was no air pressure built up in the compressor. I figured I'll work on it later, no biggie.
Upon further inspection of the compressor, looks like one of the seals has popped out. If I push it back in with my thumbnail and turn the compressor on, the compressor will go until it builds pressure, this part of the seal will pop out again, and I'll loose all air pressure. It will continue to run until I shut it off due to not being able to build up enough pressure.
Here are the pictures of the seal I am referring to:
Dead Link Removed
Dead Link Removed

So the question is, do you guys think that this is repairable? I thought about just pushing the part of the seal in and finding some way to permanently secure it in there, i.e. superglue, but ifgured that would be masking the problem rather then fixing it.
Any other ideas?

 

[leebo]

Does the ARB have a "Built in tank"?? That's what tha almost looks like. If that's the case i don't think you could be fixed. I'd think you would always be losing air preasure when it hits a certain PSI.

I've never used an ARB compressor though.... so I don't know for sure.


ps..... QuickAir.

 

[tdavis]

It's dead matt.

The ARB compressor has an itty bitty air tank, and you've just lost the seal to it.

ARB's compressor can't take lots of tire filling. it's really too small.

 

[mattadams]

doh! Not the news I wanted to hear tom, LOL.
OK, so then lets move on to the next question. How difficult is it going to be replace this compressor with a quickair? Not referring to the actual installation, more the wiring and hoses, etc. I don't want to replace one weak compressor with another one...

 

[tdavis]

well, let's see.

1) order a quick air II, or an viar200. (both perform about the same, the viar is cheaper).

2) decide - tank, or no tank? personally, I'd get a 1, or a 2.5 gal tank. You can mount it in back, where the spare used to be. get the phone number of central4wd and order the viar 2.5 gal tank plus install kit.

3) wiring - you are mostly done. just get a pressure switch -(dead link) has diagram showing how to wire it up. You can reuse the ARB wiring.

4) pressure regulator - for the ARB. makes it see only 90psi, which actually makes it last longer.

last, I wouldn't put the new compressor in the engine compartment - it's hot in there. Move it to the spare tire carrier location - got that hint from Ray L. it's a great location!

 

[Joe Dietz]

Sorry to here that the compressor is dead.
Did your compressor use to come on a lot when you were driving?
I filled about the same amount of tires with mine. So far its held up.
Is your compressor close to the radiator? Maybe the seal got dried out?

Perry had talked about something called extreamAir? This might make a nice upgrade/repAIR.

Joe

 

[leebo]

Matt... I can tell you right now that the QuickAir is a very good setup. I've got mine hooked up with the tank and often use it to air up as well as run air tools. The only other part to instal is the preasure swith. They run anywhere from 25 up to 40 depending on what PSI you want them to run. These are a fitting that hooks up to the tank or where ever else you want them and keeps track of the PSI. You'll hook the ground wire for the QuickAir up to it and then ground the preasure switch to a good ground. The one I've got turns on the compressor at 80psi and turns it off at 115psi. I would stay away from the hoses and tank from quickair. Too expensive. You can get the tank from central4x4 and all the hookups from Home Depot.... for a heck of alot cheaper. I'd also listen to tom about the mounting location. Mine is in the area where the window resovor was... it works... but the rear is even better. I would think you would have to get some sort of tank for the lockers to work though.... or wait about 30 seconds for them to build up the PSI and turn on.

Good Luck.

 

[mattadams]

ok but umm, I kinda like my windshield wiper fluid and coolant overfill reservoir, how did you guys relocate yours?

 

[rpenner54]

Dude that sucks! I always have the problem of mine being WAY to hot to touch. I think thats probably what will do it in too. You could go to a hardware store and see if they have some kind of a sealent to fix that. I would think some hi-temp RTV sealent might work? Worth a shot I would think.

 

[leebo]

What do you mean the coolant resovor?? I put mine in the rear of the truck. By where the jack was stored. I relocated it to the trash can. Living in Vegas I think I've needed it about once since I got the Explorer. Be warned though... it's loud with it there. If I could do it again... I'd drill into the tire carrior and mount it there. I've got a pic around here somewhere if you want it...just yell

 

[mattadams]

well pictures are always good...
I wonder what kind of RV sealant might work, I'd really rather seal it then go with a new compressor, I kinda like the ARB so far, it's worked good for powering the locker as well as inflating tires...

 

[rumney510]

Matt
the exact same thing happend to my newish ARB compressor. It is easy to fix. Just need to replace the o ring seal. I took mine to high country and they did it for free, very quick.
andy

 

[mattadams]

really? It looked like I wouldn't be able to replace it... I'll swing by high country and see what they can do.

 

[tdavis]

noooooooooo!

We want Matt to get rid of that evil ARB compressor..

Now stop giving him cheap hints!



Matt - I put mine under that truck, on top of the spare tire carrier. No loss of anything, except a spare tire carrier that didn't work anymore for me. (35's don't fit in there..)

 

[mattadams]

hey now, I'm all about cheap fixes. While I'd like a better compressor, I'd also like to spend the money on a custom paint job for my F-150 instead... LOL

 

[mattadams]

I've got an appointment with the guys at high country on the 15th so it should be done hopefully! I am still looking at a better air compressor in the future but for now the ARB is owrking just fine... I think I'll just get something else to air up my tires with...

 

[mattadams]

bad news for those waiting for me to go with a super-cool air compressor. The ARB compressor has been repaired and is good to go. Apparently one of the bolts on the inside came loose which allowed for too much pressure to go to the tank which caused the o-ring to blow out. Got it repaired for a pretty good price considering how much high country typically charges, and how much I would've had to pay for a whole new compressor setup.

 

[rpenner54]

So I guess that means everything is done? You will need a ride tonight?

 

[mattadams]

yup... from my house probably around 5...