Stupid question

Back off the slack adjusters..

 

You can also use a air line to the system on the truck and charge up the system if it doesn’t have any major leaks

use a portable air compressor or another truck to suplly the air.

 

Sounds like crud in the chamber, especially if those covers gone missing. The bolt isn't going in far enough to turn, maybe some "knocker loose", or a rap with a hammer or disconnect the actuating arm. Still waiting for the stupid question,,just kidding, there are no stupid questions, not here anyway..

 

Like Roundhouse said, try filling up the tanks from another aur compressor. Take a plug off an air tank and put a female quick connect airline fitting for access to charge. Or you can charge from at the teflon lined line between the air compressor and drier.

 

Lube the threads on the release bolts and use a long handled ratchet. It takes lot of pressure to release them.

 

This is the way

 

If it's been long enough after you get it aired up and the valve pressed make sure the shoes aren't rusted to the drums. If it's dirt blown in the cans that's keeping your cage bolt from locking in you can try blowing them out with your air, then cage em after they're released so you don't have to deal with losing air every so often.

 

Air it up and save some wrenching on the cage bolt