Tandem slider maintenance

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Still undecided, Jun 25, 2022.

  1. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    No air.. brakes won't release.

    Brakes that don't hold or work properly are usually out of adjustment. With brakes released (aired up). Just look for gaps between drums and shoes. Adjusted properly brakes won't have gaps.
     
    Still undecided and stuckinthemud Thank this.
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  3. teams567

    teams567 Medium Load Member

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    WD 40 sprayed on the pins and the rails works if the brakes are not out of adjustment. If you see a lot of rust and it's an older trailer, better to spray and wait 5 mins before sliding.

    As one poster said, vice grips are invaluable if your company has a pull bar. Sooner or later you will run across a trailer where the bar won't hold.

    If ever have a trailer where the brakes are out of adjustment, making it impossible to slide tandems, use wheel chocks. Slide the tandems and get the brakes fixed ASAP.

    If you don't have actual chocks, can use rocks, pieces of wood, even backing up to a curb works if moving tandems forward.
     
  4. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Someone said no to this question.

    But use some logic and common sense.
    If the brakes are out of adjustment, do you really think they will be as effective while driving as brakes there are adjusted correctly?
     
  5. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    Ok. You are are correct. My "no" was towards my comment on brake chamber spring weakness.

    You got me
     
  6. RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    To add to this, "weak" brake chamber springs is usually because they're rusted and broken. Eventually the spring pieces will pierce an air diaphragm, and the brake chamber replacement will suddenly become more urgent.
     
  7. rockeee

    rockeee Medium Load Member

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    Instead of using wd40 you can use soapy water and squirt it with a dish soap container. Much cheaper and lubricates just as well.
     
    stuckinthemud Thanks this.
  8. BigMoose

    BigMoose Bobtail Member

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    Jun 8, 2022
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    Hey guys, was looking into this also because mine slide just fine with low to no weight. It's only when I'm hauling heavy that my tires just start rolling and never hold in place. I read most of the replies.

    I have taken it to 4 different mechanics and they all adjust the break adjusters but this only works for a week then back to normal. The last one even replaced two of them and the problem still exists.

    The only way I can slide tandems when heavy is to use chock blocks. I'm worried that I have a bigger issue that these mechanics can't or won't fix.
     
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