I have a 98 u295 and I don't think the retarder is doing much of a job. At the present time I am in Nac but will be traveling to Fl. I am wondering if someone knows of a good Allison shop to take it to and have the retarder checked Thanks for any help
Being in Nacogdoches, what do the mechanics at MOT or FOT say about your retarder opearation? Do they agree that it's not working as it should?
Red Tractor,
If you would drive two and a half hours down US 59 to Houston and 15 minutes east on I-10 to Channelview, TX, I have the best Allison shop in Texas that will take very good care of you.
Message me or call seven one three 818.3234 if I can help you.
My experience with the retarder was learning how to use it. Just pulling the joy stick back works great as you are slowing and the transmission is down shifting, the lower the gear the more effective it is. At 70 mph pull it back two notches, it takes awhile to slow unless you use the foot brake also.
My big surprise was how effective it is when using the foot brake. I guess due to the light weight of the 36', it feels like the retarder is too much brake, meaning it stops harder than I like. Have wondered if a DDC / Allsion shop can reprogram to reduce the effect ? But still work good when you have more air pressure on the pedal.
Know it will stop shorter than any 18 wheeler, by far.
Not complaining, just wondering.
Yes I love it, after many years with the Jake setup on Detroits, this is wonderful.
The retarder joystick is 6 stage, 16.5% per stage, I thinks. The pressure switches on the brakes are 3 stage, so it would be 33% per stage. If you have both, the brake pressure switches override the joystick.
Me, I only have the 2 speed jake wired as one. On or off, thassit (sniff)...
It does the job in the mountains and coming off a short off ramp, tho.
I agree, the first air pressure switch stage is a little more than is needed most times, so you are on/off as you need to slow down but not so quickly.
I normally use the joy stick, but sometimes I use the pedal to make sure it still works and keep it from rusting up.