changing service chambers

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by sshewins, May 2, 2015.

  1. sshewins

    sshewins Road Train Member

    1,631
    4,730
    Aug 21, 2011
    0
    Hey guys. With brake check america hitting us first week of june, as usual, I'm doing some pre-emptive repairs. Staying ahead of the curve. I've changed out the maxi's already, did the piggy back thing. I've searched u tube and all they show is doing the maxi's. Don't need that. How complicated is it swapping out the others?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

    7,625
    6,023
    Feb 4, 2009
    0
    You mean the service chambers on the steer axle? That is just basic unbolt and bolt back on.
     
  4. sshewins

    sshewins Road Train Member

    1,631
    4,730
    Aug 21, 2011
    0
    Sorry, I was finishing up unloading at the customer and had . to finish typing fast. I ment the service chambers on the front drive axle. (My maxi's are on the rear drive axle) Just unbolt everything and swap out old for new?
     
  5. Heavyd

    Heavyd Road Train Member

    7,625
    6,023
    Feb 4, 2009
    0
    Yes, the service chambers like to rot out where they mount, so not worth just installing a new diaphragm. Yep, just disconnect the air line, slack adjuster and unbolt it. The new chamber will come with a push rod that will probably have to be cut to length to match the one that came off.
     
    sshewins Thanks this.
  6. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

    7,740
    14,412
    May 7, 2011
    0
    I'm of the belief that if it ain't broke, why fix it? Seems you're throwing money away replacing parts that might still have several more years of dependable service ahead of them? If the brakes work, maintain adjustment, and aren't showing any signs of impending failure, then I say save the money for something that might actually break and spend your time on more important things.

    ...but if you are replacing them, it really isn't that tough of a job. The question I always have in the back of my mind, though, is whether a person ought to be doing brake work if they aren't sure what they are doing. I understand that nobody is born knowing how to turn a wrench, and that there are those with enough mechanical aptitude who can figure things out pretty easily. Most can't, though...and the last thing a person needs to do is take on a brake job that is above their ability shortly before the blitz, screw it up, and have DOT put a truck OOS that would've been fine had the driver not touched it.
     
  7. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,676
    43,101
    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
    0
    Look for corrosion of the housing and check the springs inside to make sure they aren't broken and listen for leaks.


    Make sure if you replace a long stroke chamber to use a long stroke replacement.

    I have had one leak since I started pulling mostly reefers, it happens, but not that often.

    I found a broken spring in one of the other chambers at the time.

    If you can't slide the axles with air assist pins, it's probably a good hint some of the springs may be broken or weak.(The spring brakes have to hold the trailer with those).
     
  8. sshewins

    sshewins Road Train Member

    1,631
    4,730
    Aug 21, 2011
    0
    Ok, I have a minute. When I got my annual inspection last month, the guy came out and told me I had an air leak. So we walked out and he pushed the valve in and....nothing. So it passed. But he did hear it leaking, so on to the next point.

    Twice in the last week at night time, with the truck off (it was over 40°) the truck lost all the air. I only set the trailer brakes. I know, it says not for parking, but I was being lazy (I can admit it - not a normal thing), and when I fired it up to warm it up, had all kinds of air leaking noises coming from behind the dash. Went inside, came back out and all was normal again. I'm sorta gambling that this was a result of the service chamber(s) going bad. And if not, well, the truck has about 1.2 million on it, they're bound to go bad sooner or later. I'd rather replace them and know I'm ok.

    I'm not terribly worried about my mechanical abilities, as I worked for an international dealership years ago. And have tinkered with cars and pickups and trucks for years. I never got around to changing stuff like that, cause I figured out driving them made me more money. Thanks guys.
     
  9. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

    4,907
    6,539
    Aug 21, 2011
    0
    bleeding down overnight. Could be your leveler valve. Could be a lot of connections. Worn hose. Spray with soapy water and find out.
    The "air leak" in your dash was probably the air flowing thru your valves.
     
  10. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

    7,604
    1,640
    Oct 11, 2010
    Borispol, Ukraine
    0
    usually bolt to unload spring is screwed in aluminium casting of park brake chamber, but it is usually rusted in and impossible to remove)) LOL

    So when u install new park brake chamber - remove bolts and hide them somewhere in cabin to use next time)
     
    25(2)+2 Thanks this.
  11. sshewins

    sshewins Road Train Member

    1,631
    4,730
    Aug 21, 2011
    0
    Senior moment here, I forgot about spraying soapy water in the general area of suspected air leak. Shoot, I even have a bottle with soapy water in it. Uuugghh. Thanks for the reminder.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.