WABCO ABDX Operating instructions

REPAIR TRACK
MAINTENANCE
2391, S.52391, S.5
2391, S.52391, S.5
2391, S.5
REPAIR TRACK
MAINTENANCE
2391, S.52391, S.5
2391, S.52391, S.5
2391, S.5
SEPTEMBER, 2004
(SUPERSEDES ALL PREVIOUS ISSUES OF 2391, S.5 & S-4017)
Freight Air Brake Control Valve Portions:
ABDX, ABDXL, ABDX-R, ABDXL-R
© 2002 WABCO Freight Car Products. A Wabtec Corporation

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September, 2004
Repair Track Maintenance
SAFETY PROCEDURES AND WARNINGS:
The following statements of warning apply all or in part to the procedures and information contained within
this document. Failure to observe these precautions may result in serious injury to those performing the work
and/or bystanders.
WARNING: When performing work and testing these devices and the associated brake details, the vehicle
on which the equipment is installed must be properly chocked and blue flagged to protect
against inadvertent vehicle movement which could result in injury to personnel present and/or
damage to equipment.
WARNING: The use of an air jet, which must be less than 30 psi, to blow parts clean or to blow them dry
after being cleaned will cause particles of dirt, contaminants and/or droplets of the cleaning
liquid to be air borne. These conditions may cause skin and/or eye irritation. Avoid direct
contact with this air stream or possible flying debris.
WARNING: When using an air jet do not direct it toward another person. Improper use of the jet could
result in bodily injury.
WARNING: Personal eye protection, must be worn when performing any work on the equipment and
associated details to avoid possible injury to eyes.
WARNING: When blowing out the brake pipe, and/or the opening and closing of air valves, make sure all
personnel are clear of the ends of the vehicle as well as under the vehicle to protect against
injury from flying debris as well as potential movement of brake rigging, cylinders, etc.
WARNING: When handling valve portions, care must be taken to prevent the portion from falling which
could result in portion damage and/or injury to personnel. Also protection of the open face of
the valve portion is required to protect against the entrance of contaminants which could result
in unsafe brake operation of the vehicle on which the portion is installed.
WARNING: Cast iron air brake portions are very heavy. Extreme care is essential when applying, removing
or lifting the complete control valve including the pipe bracket, service and emergency portions
to preclude personal injury. Adequate support or lifting mechanism is required.

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September, 2004
Repair Track Maintenance
1.0 SCOPE
1.1 The purpose of this manual is to describe appropriate repair track procedures to be followed by maintainers of
these control valve portions and to avoid unnecessary expense due to careless handling.
IMPORTANT: This procedure covers the replacement of the ABDX Type Control Valve Portions only. For
repair track information on AB Type Control Valves (AB, ABD, ABC-1, & ABDW), please see Instruction
Leaflet 2391, Sup. 1.
1.2 Rule 3 - Testing of Air Brake Equipment MUST BE in accordance with the current Field Manual of the AAR
Interchange Rules.
2.0 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
2.1 Each repair track location must be provided with containers so arranged that both the lubricants and brushes
can be protected against dirt, one extra set of shipping covers for service and emergency portions, a release
stem guard for the service portion and a vent protector plug for the emergency portion, a blower hose and
suitable tools such as wrenches, scrapers, clamps, etc.
NOTE: The air brake shop containers with known approved AAR lubricants must be appropriately
stenciled with AAR specification identification.
Lubricant Current AAR Specification
Dry Graphite M-913
Brake Cylinder Lubricant M-914
2.2 The operating portions or parts thereof must never be dismantled or have any parts removed or replaced at the
car. All cleaning and re-lubricating of the valve portion parts must be done as per WABCO Freight Car Products
recommendation by an AAR Certified shop in accordance with AAR S-477.
The valve portions removed from the car must be transported to the shop for cleaning, lubricating and testing in
accordance with current issue of Instruction Leaflet 2391, Sup. 4 and other WABCO Freight Car Products
specifications.
2.3 The entire air brake equipment must be tested in accordance with the latest issue of the Code of Air Brake
System Tests for Freight Equipment (AAR Standard S-486, latest revision).
2.4 Inspect angle/end cocks for external damage, including worn, broken or missing handle stops/lugs. Handles
with excessive free movement due to pin wear and/or broken or worn top cover stop lugs exceeding 1/16” on the
top or sides are cause for immediate angle cock removal. Wabtec recommends to replace with an AAR
approved new or satisfactorily repaired and tested cock at least once every 144 months or more frequently if
conditions cited above exist.
2.5 All rubber parts, including pipe bracket gaskets and the control valve pipe bracket strainer must be replaced
with NEW WABCO Freight Car Products parts at the time the portion is renewed and a suitable replacement
applied.
NOTE: Control valve pipe bracket strainer must be replaced with NEW WABCO Freight Car Products parts at
any time it is exposed whether access is from the service portion or emergency portion side of the pipe
bracket.

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September, 2004
Repair Track Maintenance
2.6 When the valve portions are removed, if conditions are found in the portions or the pipe brackets evidencing
that the car brake equipment has been submerged in water, special additional cleaning operations not regularly
performed will be required as per instructions outlined in Section 4.
IMPORTANT: The ABDX Type Control Valve Portions and associated air brake equipment details, including
brake pipe angle cocks, are to be removed from the equipment arrangement and taken to a repair facility for
complete overhaul. Wabtec recommends that the portions and other details must be completely disassembled
and the parts must be cleaned or renewed, lubricated, assembled and tested for correct operation at least once
every 144 months, or more frequently if service conditions so indicate.
3.0 PROCEDURES FOR CLEANING ABDX, ABDXL, ABDX-R, & ABDXL-R CONTROL VALVES ON
REPAIR TRACKS
3.1 SERVICE PORTION
If the valve requiring attention is an ABDX orABDX-R service portion (Figure 1 and 3), the following steps should
be taken:
3.1.1 Close the branch pipe cut-out cock and drain the air out of auxiliary reservoir, emergency reservoir and
brake cylinder by pulling the release valve handle on the service portion.
3.1.2 Remove gaskets in both brake pipe end hose couplings and replace with NEW WABCO Freight Car
Products coupling gaskets. Follow Rule 5 - in the current Field Manual of the AAR Interchange Rules as
to hose renewal.
3.1.3 Blow any dirt or water out of the air supply line and couple air supply to approved Single Car Test Device.
3.1.4 Couple Single Car Test Device to one end of the car, preferably the “B” end.
3.1.5 With both angle cocks open, blow out the brake pipe by moving the test device handle to Position 1. Close
the angle/end cock to apply a dummy coupling. Once the dummy coupling is applied leave both angle/end
cocks open.
3.1.6 Remove the bowl from the dirt collector and leave it off until a cleaned service portion is applied.
NOTE: Inspect the dirt collector check valve. If made from aluminum, it must be removed, scrapped and
replaced with a NEW WABCO Freight Car Products replacement part.
WARNING: When blowing out the brake pipe, and/or the opening and closing of air valves,
make sure all personnel are clear of the ends of the vehicle as well as under the vehicle to protect
against injury from flying debris as well as potential movement of brake rigging, cylinders, etc.
3.1.7 Carefully open the branch pipe cut-out cock for a few seconds to expel dirt from the branch pipe, then close.
3.1.8 Disconnect the release valve handle or handles, leaving it attached to the release rod or rods.
3.1.9 Scrape, wipe and blow off with a jet of low pressure air (less than 30 psi) all dirt adjacent to the gasket
between the pipe bracket and valve portion. Using the blower hose, blow off the service portion, pipe
bracket, hopper slopes, car underframe, etc., to free them of all loose dirt that may otherwise get into the
service portion or pipe bracket when the portion is being removed and reapplied.

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September, 2004
Repair Track Maintenance
3.1.10 The cleaned service portion must be handled with care to avoid entrance of dirt or water which could
damage the internal parts.
IMPORTANT: The shipping cover must not be removed from the clean service portion until it is ready to
be mounted to the pipe bracket on the car.
3.1.11 Remove the failed service portion and apply shipping cover (Figure 4) and tighten nuts.
3.1.12 Apply standard or alternate stem guard (Figure 5) to the removed service portion and hold in place with
cotter pin.
3.1.13 Remove service portion pipe bracket gasket and discard properly.
3.1.14 Remove the pipe bracket strainer using strainer nut wrench.
3.1.15 Install a NEW WABCO Freight Car Products pipe bracket strainer. A wooden mandrel of suitable form will
assist in guiding the strainer into proper position. Make certain its inner end is in engagement with the
sealing bead (if inserted properly, all nut threads will be visible), then apply the holding nut and tighten it
firmly using the strainer nut wrench.
3.1.16 Install a NEW WABCO Freight Car Products service portion pipe bracket gasket.
3.1.17 Remove the shipping cover from the new or satisfactorily repaired and tested service portion and immediately
apply the portion to the pipe bracket. Coat the threads of the mounting studs lightly with brake cylinder
lubricant (M-914) or a compound consisting of one part graphite, Wabtec Specification M-07695-02 (AAR
Specification M-913), and two parts oil (SAE-20) by weight.
3.1.18 Tighten the holding nuts evenly and firmly in order to sufficiently prevent gasket leakage and yet not
excessively to cause distortion of covers and gaskets. (Wabtec recommended tightening sequence:
starting at 3 o’clock position on each valve portion and going in counter clockwise direction, torque all hex
nuts to 30 foot-pounds first. Then apply final torque of 70 foot-pounds in same direction and order.)
3.1.19 Remove release valve stem guard from the new or repaired service portion and reconnect the release valve
handle or handles (which has been left attached to release rod) to release valve handle end plate with a new
cotter pin.
3.1.20 Clean and blow out the dirt collector bowl. Apply a NEW WABCO Freight Car Products gasket, then
assemble, lubricating the bolt threads lightly with brake cylinder lubricant (M-914) or a compound
consisting of one part graphite, Wabtec Specification M-07695-02 (AAR Specification M-913) and
two parts oil (SAE-20) by weight.
3.1.21 If car is equipped with a reservoir charging check valve mounted on AB Type Pipe Bracket, remove the cap
nut, spring and check valve. Examine the internal parts for excessive wear or damage and replace rubber
check valve with a NEW WABCO Freight Car Products supplied check valve. Worn parts are to be renewed.
Reassemble the check valve.
3.1.22 Check the brake cylinder, reservoir and pipe bracket for loose or missing supporting bolts and nuts and
replace or tighten as necessary.
3.1.23 If any pipe clamps are loose or missing, or if angle/end cocks are broken or improperly located, make
necessary repairs.
3.1.24 After the control valve service portion has been reinstalled and all repairs have been completed, the entire
air brake equipment must be tested in accordance with the latest issue of the Code of Air Brake System
Tests for Freight Equipment (AAR Standard S-486, latest revision).

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September, 2004
Repair Track Maintenance
Figure 1 - ABDX Service Portion
Alternate Configuration
of Release Valve
P
P
X
“P” designates Vibration Protection
ABDX cast on top cover
“X” stamp

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Repair Track Maintenance
Figure 2 - ABDX / ABDXL Emergency Portions
ABDX Emergency Portion
ABDX-L Emergency Portion
S
P
P
S
ABDX
ABDX
L
P
P
L
ABDX-L
ABDX-L
Internal
Vent Protector
ABDX-L cast on
vent valve cover
ABDX-L cast on
vent valve cover
ABDX cast on
vent valve cover
ABDX cast on
vent valve cover
“S” designates Short Car
“P” designates Vibration Protection
“L” designates Long Car

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Repair Track Maintenance
LR
P
XR
ABDXL-R Control Valve
“XR” Stamp
“ABDX-L” cast on
vent valve cover
“SR” designates Remanufactured Short Car
“P” designates Vibration Protection
“LR” designates Remanufactured Long Car
“XR” designates converted ABD to ABDX (Remanufactured ABDX)
SR
P
XR
ABDX-R Control Valve
“XR” Stamp
“ABDX” cast on
vent valve cover
Figure 3 - ABDX-R / ABDXL-R Control Valves

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September, 2004
Repair Track Maintenance
3.2 EMERGENCY PORTION
If the valve requiring attention is an ABDX, ABDXL, ABDX-R or ABDXL-R emergency portion (Figure 2 and 3), the
following steps should be taken:
3.2.1 Close the branch pipe cut-out cock and drain the air out of auxiliary reservoir, emergency reservoir and
brake cylinder by pulling the release valve handle on the service portion.
3.2.2 Remove gaskets in both brake pipe end hose couplings and replace with NEW WABCO Freight Car
Products coupling gaskets. Follow Rule 5 - in the current Field Manual of the AAR Interchange Rules as
to hose renewal.
3.2.3 Blow any dirt or water out of the air supply line and couple air supply to approved Single Car Test Device.
3.2.4 Couple Single Car Test Device to one end of the car, preferably the “B” end.
3.2.5 With both angle cocks open, blow out the brake pipe by moving the test device handle to Position 1.
Close the angle/end cock to apply a dummy coupling. Once the dummy coupling is applied leave both
angle/end cocks open.
3.2.6 Remove the bowl from the dirt collector and leave it off until a cleaned emergency portion is applied.
NOTE: Inspect the dirt collector check valve. If it is made from aluminum, it must be removed and scrapped
and replaced with a NEW WABCO Freight Car Products replacement part.
WARNING: When blowing out the brake pipe, and/or the opening and closing of air valves, make sure
all personnel are clear of the ends of the vehicle as well as under the vehicle to protect against injury from
flying debris as well as potential movement of brake rigging, cylinders, etc.
3.2.7 Carefully open the branch pipe cut-out cock for a few seconds to blow dirt from the branch pipe, then close.
3.2.8 Scrape, wipe and blow off with a jet of low pressure air (less than 30 psi) all dirt adjacent to the gasket
between the pipe bracket and valve portion. Using the blower hose, blow off the emergency portion, pipe
bracket hopper slopes, car under frames, etc., to free them of all loose dirt that may otherwise get into the
emergency portion or pipe bracket when the portion is being removed and reapplied.
3.2.9 On an emergency portion with an external vent protector assembly, remove the vent protector from the
failed portion and apply a WABCO Freight Car Products standard vent protector plug, as shown in Figure
6. On a failed emergency portion with internal vent protector assembly, completely cover the internal vent
protector assembly with duct tape or tape with equivalent coverage and adhesion.
3.2.10 The cleaned emergency portion must be handled with care to avoid entrance of dirt or water which could
damage the internal parts.
IMPORTANT: The shipping cover must not be removed from the clean emergency portion until it is ready
to be mounted to the pipe bracket on the car.
3.2.11 Remove the failed emergency portion and apply shipping cover, as shown in Figure 4, and tighten nuts.
3.2.12 Remove emergency portion pipe bracket gasket and discard properly.
3.1.13 If pipe bracket is single sided, the pipe bracket strainer nut will be visible. Remove the pipe bracket strainer
using strainer nut wrench. Install a NEW WABCO Freight Car Products pipe bracket strainer. A wooden
mandrel of suitable form will assist in guiding the strainer into proper position. Make certain its inner end

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September, 2004
Repair Track Maintenance
is in engagement with the sealing bead (if inserted properly, all nut threads will be visible), then apply the
holding nut and tighten it firmly using the strainer nut wrench.
3.2.14 Apply a NEW WABCO Freight Car Products emergency portion pipe bracket gasket.
NOTE: The appropriate type of emergency portion must be applied. There are two versions; the ABDX and
ABDX-R for short cars (less than 75 feet of brake pipe) and the ABDXL and ABDXL-R for long cars (greater
than 75 feet of brake pipe).
In order to preclude the misapplication of operating valve portions, the ABDXL and ABDXL-R pipe brackets
have one slightly longer mounting stud than the ABDX and ABDX-R pipe brackets. This special stud
located on the pipe bracket near the bottom, is intended to prevent a long car valve portion from being
mounted to a short car.
3.1.15 Remove the vent protector plug or tape covering the vent protector exhaust from the new or satisfactorily
repaired and tested emergency portion. Install a cleaned or renewed vent protector into the cleaned
emergency portion.
3.2.16 Remove the shipping cover from the new or satisfactorily repaired and tested emergency portion and
immediately apply the portion to the pipe bracket. Coat the threads of the mounting studs lightly with
brake cylinder lubricant (M-914) or a compound consisting of one part graphite, Wabtec Specification M-
07695-02 (AAR Specification M-913), and two parts oil (SAE-20) by weight.
3.2.17 Tighten the holding nuts evenly and firmly in order to sufficiently prevent gasket leakage and yet not
excessively to cause distortion of covers and gaskets. (Wabtec recommended tightening sequence:
starting at 3 o’clock position on each valve portion and going in counter clockwise direction, torque all hex
nuts to 30 foot-pounds first. Then apply final torque of 70 foot-pounds in same direction and order.)
3.2.18 Clean and blow out the dirt collector bowl. Apply a NEW WABCO Freight Car Products gasket, then
assemble, lubricating the bolt threads lightly with brake cylinder lubricant (M-914) or a compound consisting
of one part graphite, Wabtec Specification M-07695-02 (AAR Specification M-913) and two parts oil (SAE-
20) by weight.
3.2.19 If car is equipped with a reservoir charging check valve mounted on AB Type Pipe Bracket, remove the cap
nut, spring and check valve. Examine the internal parts for excessive wear or damage and replace rubber
check valve with a NEW WABCO Freight Car Products supplied check valve. Worn parts are to be
renewed. Reassemble the check valve.
3.2.20 Check the brake cylinder, reservoir and pipe bracket for loose or missing supporting bolts and nuts and
replace or tighten as necessary.
3.2.21 If any pipe clamps are loose or missing, or if angle/end cocks are broken or improperly located, make
necessary repairs.
3.2.22 After the control valve emergency portion has been reinstalled and all repairs have been completed, the
entire air brake equipment must be tested in accordance with the latest issue of the Code of Air Brake
System Tests for Freight Equipment (AAR Standard S-486, latest revision).

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September, 2004
Repair Track Maintenance
4.0 PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING WABCO FREIGHT CAR PRODUCTS “ABDX” TYPE BRAKES
THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMERGED
4.1 Remove all associated piping from the pipe bracket, auxiliary air device pipe brackets, reservoirs, brake cylinders
and retaining valve. Remove the pipe brackets and reservoirs from the car.
4.2 Remove and clean the emergency and auxiliary reservoir pipe strainers.
4.3 Appropriate equipment must be available to properly and satisfactorily clean the various pipe brackets associated
with a set of air brake equipment. Since the condition of the pipe brackets is critical to proper valve operation,
WABCO Freight Car Products recommends that all pipe brackets that have been submerged in water or other
contaminants be returned to one of WABCO Freight Car Products’ repair centers for restoration to satisfactory
operating condition. Attempts to restore such pipe brackets by others is done so at their own risk.
4.4 Clean all reservoirs and volumes by washing out with high pressure water using a suitable nozzle and drain until
completely dry.
4.5 Thoroughly clean the inside of all pipes by whatever means necessary (hammering, high pressure water, air, etc.).
4.6 Apply new or satisfactorily cleaned and repaired pipe brackets and thoroughly cleaned and dried reservoirs to
the car, replace the auxiliary and emergency reservoir pipe strainers with new parts. Apply NEW WABCO
Freight Car Products gaskets to all flange fittings. After coating the cap screw threads with grease, reconnect
all pipes. All valves and valve portions reapplied to the car must be new or satisfactorily repaired and tested
parts. Brake cylinders must be cleaned in accordance with Wabtec Instruction Leaflet 2391, Sup.1.
4.7 After the necessary repairs have been completed, the entire air brake equipment must be tested in accordance
with the latest issue of Code of Air Brake System Tests for Freight Equipment (AAR Standard S-486, latest
revision).
5.0 RUBBER PARTS, SHELF LIFE AND STORAGE
5.1 New rubber parts such as gaskets, o-rings, rubber seated check valves, seals, diaphragms, etc., must not be
applied if over five years old from date of manufacture. The primary parts such as gaskets and diaphragms
contain date coding.
5.2 To determine shelf life, WABCO Freight Car Products new rubber repair kits are dated with the oldest date (half
year) of rubber components contained within the kit. Major individual WABCO Freight Car Products rubber
parts have the date molded into the rubber where practical.
5.3 The storage area for rubber parts must be cool, dark, and free from dampness and mildew. Since most rubber
goods are affected by ozone, they must not be stored near electrical equipment that may generate ozone.

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Repair Track Maintenance
Figure 5 - Release Valve Stem Guard
Figure 4 - Approved Shipping Covers
Figure 6 - Vent Protector Plug

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2391, S.5
September, 2004
Repair Track Maintenance
e3
Q.A.C.
c
c2
c3
b4
bb
e2 a
EX
b2
c3
c4
Port
b - To Brake Pipe.
b4 - To Brake Pipe Passage b.
c - To Brake Cylinder.
c2 - To Passage c3.
c3 - To Service Face and Branch Ports c2 and c4.
e3 - To Emergency Reservoir and Service Face.
Q.A.C. - To Quick Action Chamber.
Port
a - To Auxiliary Reservoir.
b - To Brake Pipe.
b2 - To Strainer Nut Cavity.
c3 - To Emergency Face and Branches c2 and c4.
c4 - To Passage c3.
e2 - To Emergency Reservoir and to Emergency Face.
EX - To Retaining Valve.
Figure 6 - Port Identification Emergency Face Figure 7 - Port Identification Service Face

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2391, S.5
September, 2004
Repair Track Maintenance
WABCO Freight Car Products
www.wabtec.com
1001 Air Brake Avenue 475 Seaman Street
Wilmerding, Pennsylvania 15148 Stoney Creek, Ontario L8E 2R2
[phone] • Fax [phone] [phone] • Fax [phone]