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

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by ichudov, Jul 30, 2023.

  1. Jul 30, 2023 #1
    ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 14, 2012
    Berkeley, IL
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    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
     
    ichudov, Jul 30, 2023
    ichudov, Jul 30, 2023
    #1
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  3. Jul 30, 2023 #2
    Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    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.
     
    Hammer166, Jul 30, 2023
    Hammer166, Jul 30, 2023
    #2
    Oxbow, ichudov, AModelCat and 2 others Thank this.
  4. Jul 30, 2023 #3
    AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    I'd be willing to bet your drums are worn past their limits and that's why it cammed over.
     
    AModelCat, Jul 30, 2023
    AModelCat, Jul 30, 2023
    #3
    Big Road Skateboard, kylefitzy, Last Call and 2 others Thank this.
  5. Jul 31, 2023 #4
    ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 14, 2012
    Berkeley, IL
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    Yes, it happened because the drums are worn, but I need to release the brakes to drive the trailer to the mechanic.
     
    ichudov, Jul 31, 2023
    ichudov, Jul 31, 2023
    #4
  7. Jul 31, 2023 #5
    201

    201 Road Train Member

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    high plains colorado
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    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.
     
    201, Jul 31, 2023
    201, Jul 31, 2023
    #5
  8. Jul 31, 2023 #6
    OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    Small 18” pipe wrench can be your friend…..
     
    OLDSKOOLERnWV, Jul 31, 2023
    OLDSKOOLERnWV, Jul 31, 2023
    #6
    Hammer166 and Oxbow Thank this.
  9. Jul 31, 2023 #7
    Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    If you can hit the back of the slack adjuster down near the rod, it'll cam on over
     
    Big Road Skateboard, Jul 31, 2023
    Big Road Skateboard, Jul 31, 2023
    #7
    Oxbow Thanks this.
  10. Jul 31, 2023 #8
    ichudov

    ichudov Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 14, 2012
    Berkeley, IL
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    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.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2023
    ichudov, Jul 31, 2023
    ichudov, Jul 31, 2023
    #8
    North Pole Nightmare, Oxbow, Hammer166 and 1 other person Thank this.
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