Core value on brake chambers

Good afternoon boys and girls. I'm here at the Denver TA getting my brake chambers replaced. I was just wondering if there is a core value on my old chambers. The tech here said there isn't but I'm not sure if he's being honest.

 

No

 

Whatever they weigh out in scrap price..

 

There's no core, but you can replace the diaphragm for the service brake side of the chamber for like 5-10 dollars if it's leaking. If the parking brake is leaking, they're sealed and are not supposed to be opened up and worked on. I think too many people were injured or killed from the spring tension while working on the parking side, so they crimp them on now.

 

the last new can I bought was $38, If you can’t swing that for a safety issue you may as well file the bankruptcy paper work now

 

One was leaking badly. So bad that when I stopped at lights, I wouldn't have enough pressure to get off the line and I would stall out. I don't know how that could have happened so abruptly.

So the tech said he could piggy back the bad chamber. I really don't like half-measures, especially since I don't know exactly what the previous owner had done or didn't have done to the truck.

So I replaced all 4 cans with non-serviceables. $1500 for parts, labor, delivery, shop fees and sales tax. OUCH! But I called Freightliner and Rush and they quoted $1500 just for LABOR. Crazy. So I don't feel so bad. I know that I could have done this myself when I got home for probably less than $700. The chambers were about $120 each. But when one is on an active load and far from home, one has to sometimes lube up, bend over, and take it like a champ!

I'm keeping the old ones as learning tools.

 

You might have a point if it was unsafe to replace a diaphragm. Not all chambers cost $38 for everybody, and some people don't like the idea of throwing away an otherwise good component. It'd be like throwing away a watch instead of replacing the battery, or buying a new ATV because it had a flat tire.

 

The old chambers were pretty bad. They even had some rust. And they were mismatched. I don't understand how some people can half-### it when it comes to their trucks. The truck is your LIVELIHOOD.

 

Mismatched with long and short stroke? Or just different brands?

 

Strokes. Brands also I suspect.