SMI Updated Brake System Air Leaks ??
While up on the lift at Prevost car checking for air leaks replacing Norgren valves spending money etc I had the mechanic spray his soapy water all over the new one piece SMI Toad Brake system to check for leaks, the system had five leaks in it at every connection.
I had it removed and placed on the work bench, replaced all connections had each carefully installed and torqued down and reinstalled the entire system and really screwed down this time, no leaks now, 2 hours of tech time.
Here is my conclusion about the system. It does work and the idea is good, but the install done under the bus on the ground by folks who in my case may never had any experience under a bus is not the perfect way to install an important item as this is. I would not have it done by anyone who has no Bus experience and not unless it is in the air and easy access.
And finally the actual parts could be better more robust for the application in my opinion, they do not look as strong and sturdy as the rest of the Prevost air system is.
I like the guys at SMI and respect their idea and realize that the added cost and time required to have our buses up on a rack would add real $ to the overall install, but if you add up the expense , in my case to replace the system and, repair it twice now the extra cost for a more robust version installed properly would not have been expensive in the long run.
I do recommend SMI but please make sure it is installed by qualified people with Prevost experience under the right conditions.