The present invention relates to an air dryer cartridge designated for an air dryer of a utility vehicle. The air dryer cartridge comprises a supporting element. At least one spring is interposed between a supporting element and a pressing element for a desiccant. The supporting element is movable with respect to a housing of the air dryer cartridge. The supporting element is freely accessible from the outside of said air dryer cartridge. The present invention in particular provides the option to use the at least one spring both for pressing the desiccant as well as for clamping the air dryer cartridge in an air dryer.