Air lift axle help

Firewoodjoe · January 10, 2015, 06:35:12 PM

My one lift axle has been working when it wants. It's not iced up. If you run it up and down and up and down time and time again it always works and fast. But if you put it down as if your driving for an hour it will not lift. It blows off the down bags but dose not fill the up bags. Now I have three valves on the axle. A service valve, quick release and a third that has two 3/8" lines from each side and a tee with two 1/4" lines. There is a 3/8" line that runs from the "mystery" valve to the quick release. Any ideas. I know it's a lot😁

Gary_C · January 10, 2015, 06:50:11 PM

I have to look hard at the valves on my lift axle before I can figure out how it all works. I had a problem with mine working very slow and I found the mud daubers had got to the exhaust port.

Doubt that is the problem now, but most likely you have some moisture in the system that freezes when you go down the road. Best solution is to dump some brake line antifreeze right in the supply line to that axle. But be aware if you do that, next time you have problems, don't use a torch to unfreeze the valves. I heard about a guy that made that mistake and the valve exploded in his face.

Use your wife's hair dryer if she will let you borrow it. I bought my own since she was so fussy with hers. ;D

Firewoodjoe · January 10, 2015, 06:57:35 PM

I had th ready heater on it for three hours this morning I'm sure it's not froze. And I mean I drop the axle pressured up in the drive way. Not driving. For an hour and it will not lift. Crack a line it will lift. Then you can lift it many times unless u let it down for an hour. Then it won't lift again.

Firewoodjoe · January 10, 2015, 07:15:41 PM

I think a valve is sticking. I'm thinking quick release valve. But I wish I new what the other is. Pilot valve?

ga jones · January 11, 2015, 07:04:38 PM

All three of those valves are plumbed to the bags?

smwwoody · January 11, 2015, 07:21:58 PM

The third valve may be to disable the brakes on the lift axle when it is up. what make and model is it?

Firewoodjoe · January 12, 2015, 06:10:46 PM

I think I got it. I hope. I changed the third mystery valve. It must be a combination of a quick release and a control. Because the one I thought was a quick release was just gutted. Used for a tee! I guess I'll find a lot of stuff from the previouse owner. I'm just happy it's working. Thank you for your help.