ARB Compressor WTF?!

[Pighead]

I got this ARB setup (front air locker, pump & tire-filler air hose package) for my Pig just days before Rubithon 2009. Got it from 4 wheel parts in Sacramento, where I used to live.
Then, just yesterday, finishing up a 'wheeling weekend to Crystal Mountain and Moody Hill (in Northern Colorado) we decide that that fire is just too darned close and we head out in a hurry. As soon as we hit pavement we proceeded to air up. We were interrupted by a local Sheriff who was none too pleased to find us still in the evacuation area. We decided to continue airing up a few miles down the road.
Not that that adds anything pertinent, I just wanted to emphasize the dramatic setting.
So, while airing up the second time, my compressor starts making a bad sound. I shut it off. I take a close look, look for loose connections, listen for leaks, etc.
I call for a back-up, 'cause the fire is too darned close. Fortunately, both of the 40s we're 'wheeling with also run ARBS. They do seem popular up here. So I got my tires aired up and was able to outrun the fire. Perhaps the problem was that I am running these massive 37 inch tires (and that cracked leaking orange air hose that has ARB printed on it), the 40s were on wimpy 33s or something.
So, living another day, I disassemble my ARB pump first thing after work today. Hoping to go 'wheeling next weekend.
WTF?!?
This screw falls out when I take off the easy cover. Looks like the screw that fits through the conn-rod and connects to the whatever it is that rotates in there. I haven't taken anything else apart. I think I found out what went wrong.
So, um, I don't suppose that there's an easy fix? It's gotta be a cheap easy fix too. The little Allen-headed screw looks like it broke off, seems to be a bit of it left in the hole.
Anybody know off-hand what thread that is? Figger I'll just easy-out that broke part and rethread it.
Any ARB reps on 'Mud?
Sticker on the inside of the pump says NO.12V 4552, sticker on the outside says N17876. And 0909030754 on the blue finned cooler.
Also, is it worth rebuilding? Like, do the parts cost more than a new pump?
Or, since we already have an airtank, do we just need a regulator to make the locker work so I don't blow it up too?
Or, should I just work on mounting a York? I have a spare tank for air.
Before next weekend remember.

 

[DSRTRDR]

my solution to this would be:

MV50 air compressor - which can be had for about $69 in some major auto parts stores - sometimes, a deal for $50 pops up on Amazon or so - Northern Tool has them, too - even seen them at Walmart once

we (hubby and I) have found the air-up option on the ARBs wanting, for sure with big tires

the MV50 keeps going and going - I've had mine for some 6 years now - eventually, look into a Puma (around $250 or so; all the cool kids in the wagons in AZ are running those)

 

[Pighead]

Thanks, Claudia.
Maybe it is time to go big. But it's gotta be bolted in and dedicated. Should probably be overbuilt too. That's my style.
I've been feeling the need for a horn, too, lately.

 

[DSRTRDR]

yeah, the MV50 isn't really big - neither is it bolted in, which is kind of it's beauty, you can loan it out - realistic air-up time is about 10-15 minutes for 33s in my experience, depending on where you are coming from

with the Puma, on the other hand: you could serve as the mother cow to the whole group

these days, I much prefer to smooch than even bothering to unwrap the MV50

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Kurt @ CruiserOutfitters should be able to get you the parts necessary.

For airing up tires, I prefer to use a 20# CO2 tank. I can air all 4 of my 35's up from 10psi to 35psi with CO2 faster than my buddy running 31's can air up one tire using the MV50.

 

[inkpot]

Puma is a nice way to for the money. Much cheaper than the big name products. 100% duty cycle. Some of us in the Phoenix area have had them for several years with NO problems so far. Takes 2 minutes and 10 seconds each to refill my 315's from 15 to 36 psi. Runs a 3/8 IR impact pretty good too. Most of us have them hard mounted to the fender in the rear. John

 

[nuclearlemon]

judging by rants last night, the post isn't about finding parts for the arb, but finding a superior product. between the hose and the compressor and the use they've seen (only a few years old, not wheeling every single weekend during that time), they should've lasted much longer for the price and reputation attached.

my advice pighead...go york. all the rest are inferior. oh, and when's dinner?

 

[baja1d]

Yeah, when's dinner!!! With that MV-50 you surely would have become a Roasted Pighead. That's what we were all using when we ran Slaughter House. None of us were running anything bigger than 33's and you were done airing up long before us with your FUBARed ARB.

 

[nuclearlemon]

Yeah, when's dinner!!! With that MV-50 you surely would have become a Roasted Pighead. That's what we were all using when we ran Slaughter House. None of us were running anything bigger than 33's and you were done airing up long before us with your FUBARed ARB.

arb didnt' puke until this weekend, a third of the way into airing up after being evac'd out of the high park fire area

i understand pighead's frustration. i expect things to last more than three years too. my powertank has ( burn!), his arb has lasted more than something from harbor freight, but for a few hund bucks, it better last more than that.

 

[baja1d]

Ment to say "your NOW fubared ARB". I was impressed with it's quickness on our run. Too bad it didn't last longer.

 

[John Smith]

Despite what ARB claims, I would never use one of their compressors for anything but engaging their lockers. Install a York with a 5 or 10 gallon tank under the truck and you can run air tools and air up fast. I've been running a York from an early 60 Mercedes for years that is still going strong.

 

[nuclearlemon]

Despite what ARB claims, I would never use one of their compressors for anything but engaging their lockers. Install a York with a 5 or 10 gallon tank under the truck and you can run air tools and air up fast. I've been running a York from an early 60 Mercedes for years that is still going strong.

i personally wouldn't use an arb pump for airing up either, but they sell the stuff to do it and even their hose was crap. the fitting falls apart in your hand, it's cracked and looks worse than a hf hose. definitely not worth the money he spent on the stuff.

 

[DSRTRDR]

definitely not worth the money he spent on the stuff.

indeed, not worth much for airing up - but for locking the diffs, they work

that said, the compressor can be rebuilt - I just responded to the need to have something more reliable going by this weekend

 

[Pighead]

I just responded to the need to have something more reliable going by this weekend

And I thank you for that, Claudia.
I'll admit that I have been a bit disappointed in the quality of some of the ARB products I've purchased in the last few years. That orange airtubing in the refill kit cracked and leaked within 2 years. I showed it to the rep at 'Cruise Moab 2011, but he couldn't do anything as he did not sell it to me...but it says "ARB" every few inches along it's length. That pissed me off a little bit. And the valve fitting on the tire end? Pisses me off every time I had to air-up. Fortunately, Ige has a selection of good tubing. And decent tire chucks. That old air tubing, and chuck, is now in the trash pile. Just 3 years old.
I absolutely love the air locker, it's just the peripheral support seems weak.
Perhaps, secretly, Pighead was hoping somebody high up at ARB would see this post and overnight me a new pump. Just because I'm Pighead. That didn't happen, and payday isn't until tomorrow. I'm never gonna get a York installed and plumbed on Friday. I'm gonna have to wheel this weekend open in the front, because a little 2 cent screw failed.
Add a little more disappointment to the list.

 

[FJ40zen]

Man those pictures do not look too promising for long term use of the ARB HO compressor. My compressor is on it's third year with "33s.

I also have a compressor like DSRTRDR pictures above (that I did not bring with me last weekend) with a 2.5 gal Viair tank, but the compressor has become weak with time. I am going to try a real Viair compressor on the bracket I have the red compressor on and save the ARB for the lockers and emergency air only. That or I just may look into an air conditioner type compressor to mount under the hood.

 

[mwalls54]

That sucks. I have one of those pumps on both of my trucks. But I use a Viair compressor to air up. To get by this weekend do you have a co2 tank? I have known a few guys use one to air up the locker. I think the seals can hold around 130 psi before they leak.

edit here is a link to arb's website on air pressures
Air Locker Pressures | ARB USA Blog

 

[Enigma]

I bought a fancy ARB tire chuck, the one with the inline gauge and the clip on valve stem fitting, at Cm2012 vendor night, it too is total crap. The whole point of it was just to clip it on so I didn't have to stay kneeling and keep the chuck pushed in....

Their fridges tho, the cats meow!

The re-branded delflater they flog works pretty good too I guess, but keyword I guess is re-branded.

 

[kbahus]

I have been using an MV50 for a few years now, worked very well with the 33's and is acceptable with the 35's but gets hot and slow on the last tire. I will use it till it dies then probably but another, the price can't be beat. I think I saw 37's on your pig when we were up at Kelly Flats? At that size I think that would push the MV50 to it's limits.

 

[Jetboy]

Hokey? Yes. Available for the weekend? Yes.

Find the right adapters to adapt the manifold to schrader valve. Then grab a bicycle pump with a gauge on it and pump it up to 70ps for the trail. Release pressure you get back.

 

[FJ40zen]

Not that it matters between now and the weekend for you Pighead, but I am looking at this one since it is 100% duty.

"This isn't the fastest compressor we sell, but it's the most reliable by far."

Viair 330C IG Air Compressor (330/Industrial)