S-Cam turned too much and locked brakes. How to release it?

On one wheel, the brake pad wore out too much, so when I was adjusting the brake adjustor, the S-cam turned through and is now stuck and the brake is locked. How can I unlock this brake and turn the S-cam back?


Thanks

 

You'll need to adjust that slack and use a brake application to force the cam to pop the rest of the way around. That's assuming the roller is close to the tip of the S-cam and there's not something going on.

 

I'd be willing to bet your drums are worn past their limits and that's why it cammed over.

 

Yes, it happened because the drums are worn, but I need to release the brakes to drive the trailer to the mechanic.

 

I think we've all been there, turned an S cam over. What I did, is disconnect the brake actuating rod, if you can, or remove the whole brake chamber. I think DOT allows 1 brake to be inoperative, but if one cam turned, the others are close behind.

 

Small 18” pipe wrench can be your friend…..

 

If you can hit the back of the slack adjuster down near the rod, it'll cam on over

 

Awesome, thanks. I released the brakes (chocked the wheels also) and kept adjusting the slack adjustor further. At some point S-cam "clicked" and the brakes released. I made a few more turns just to stay safe and now the brakes are released, though inoperable.