Greasing slack adjuster

[caymann]

What are the steps to grease slack adjuster on the drive axle on the roadmaster chassis?
Jim

[hardy1000]

They have the same zerk fittings as the chassis just make sure to wipe off excess grease so it dosen't work its way into the brake. Very easy job.

[Rex]

Well easy job, but ONLY give it a couple of shots. There are some zerks that do not show grease coming out anywhere. It goes inside the wheel and if you put too much in it gets on the brakes. That will require removing the wheel and lots of cleaning.

[caymann]

I need advise on the drive axle lubing .....

Let me explain,

For the front axle and tag axle, the instructions on Monaco book is as following:-
1. Chock vehicle wheels
2. Release parking brake
3. Using a screw driver lift "adjusting nut locking pawl" and then turn slack adjuster 9/16" bolt counterclockwise to tighten. Apply grease until it comes out. Now lift "locking powl" again and turn slack adjuster nut clockwise until it opens all the way out. You should see grease coming out of the pressure release valve. Tighten slack adjuster again all the way back and then back off 1/2 turn (3 clicks) so brakes won't drag.
4. Grease other zerks nearby until grease come out.

For the drive axle...

I didn't find an adjusting nut locking pawl.
So i was unable to loosen/tighten the slack adjuster.
I didn't see a pressure release valve either.

At the end, i just pumped grease two times and let it go as i was not sure if this was the right procedure.

If you have lubed drive axle slack adjuster where there is no "slack adjuster nut locking pawl" or "pressure release valve", could you please post on how you did it?


Improper lubrication of slack adjuster can cause trouble on the road.

1. grease on the brakes
2. excess grease on the caliper that will lead to brakes dragging
due to excess grease pressing on the caliper camshaft
3. clevis pins are not greasable and can freeze thereby dragging brakes

When i called Monaco Tech Support, i didn't get much help.

[walt2137]

Quote:

Originally Posted by caymann What are the steps to grease slack adjuster on the drive axle on the roadmaster chassis? Jim

I believe you have air over disc brakes and if so be very careful what grease you use, I have no idea how to adjust the disc brakes but the air band brakes they have auto slack adjusters and I will past a procedure for them.

Walt

TESTING YOUR AIR BRAKES AND SLACK ADJUSTERS
Auto slack adjusters are used to maintain proper brake chamber stroke and lining to drum clearance during normal operation. 

The entire slack adjuster operates as a unit rotating with the brake camshaft as brakes are applied or released.

THE MOST EFFICIENT BRAKING OCCURS WHEN PUSH ROD TRAVEL IS HELD TO A MINIMUM. 

Auto Slack Adjusters adjust themselves automatically during full brake applications to accommodate brake lining and drum wear. The key words here are FULL BRAKE APPLICATIONS. 

Have you ever engaged your brakes full.... pedal to the floor... probably not many have. But there is way to do this properly to ensure you get your auto adjusters to work for you. If you have never fully depressed this pedal it is likely that your auto adjust system has not been fully activating its full adjustment potential. 

DO NOT RUN OUT AND DO IT NOW....DO THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF YOUR BRAKING SYSTEM AND THAT YOU DO NOT DAMAGE IT. 

Following is a procedure that should be done every day before you start your drive. Certainly, it should be done if your unit has been sitting for a time without use. This will tell you if your air brake system is functioning satisfactorily and will also adjust your slack adjusters. 

1.Start engine and let air pressure build up. 

2.Block wheels (use chocks that can be purchased from an RV supply store and chock the outside dual on each side. Be sure to insert a chock in front and behind the tire to ensure no vehicle movement. Parking on level ground when you do this is a big help. After this is done and you are sure your Discovery can not move RELEASE YOUR PARK BRAKE.

3.Your brake pressure should be at max. Now fan your brakes to 
85psi. NOW ENGAGE YOUR PARK BRAKE AGAIN. Compressor should cut in and watch to ensure a return to full pressure.

4.When you have reached max pressure and the compressor has cut out RELEASE YOUR PARK BRAKE AGAIN AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE.

5.MAKE FULL BRAKE APPLICATION (BE SURE you have released your park brake before you do this or you will damage the system.) Hold the pedal all the way to the bottom for one minute. Watch your air gauges as they should not move (allowable loss in this mode for 60 seconds is 
3 psi). Listen for audible leaks as you wait for the 60 seconds to expire. After 60 seconds release the pedal. (YOUR AUTO SLACK ADJUSTERS WILL SET UP AUTOMATICALLY DURING THIS PROCEDURE.) 

6.Turn on key... fan brakes to 20 psi. LOW AIR WARNING SHOULD START, continue to fan down to 20psi.. by now your park brake will have engaged automatically although you will not have any indication of this. Start engine and run at 1000 rpm using your cruise setting. Time 
3 minuets. In this time your air pressure should be up to between 50 and 90psi. This will tell you your Compressor is functioning properly. 

8. Apply park brake. 

End of Test


[caymann]

Hi Walt
This is a great article on how to test air brakes
It says nothing about how to lubricate air brake components
such as brake calipers and auto slack adjusters, which is my question.
I have outlined the process for steer and tag axle
I got stuck at the drive axle - caliper and slack adjuster lubrication
thanks
Jim

[walt2137]

Like I said Jim if you have disc brakes I dont know.

[caymann]

How is it done for drum brakes?
thanks
Jim

[walt2137]

Just grease until grease comes out except the the zerk next to the drum, as Rex stated just a couple shots because it will go into the drum and get on the brake shoes and will have to pull the wheel and drum to clean out and my have to change the brake shoes.