After winter brake ordeal

Truck Shop

Well-known member
Every winter about this time the outside customers start showing up with brake problems, mainly trailer brakes. The usual complaint is
brakes are touchy and come on sudden. And these are usually trailers that are only used maybe once a week or so. Since the DOT in
most every state drenches the roads with deicer it has caused alot of problems.
The biggest thing I find is the pins on slack adjuster where there attached to the yoke are froze-up, and that really screws with the
adjuster link and paw in automatic slacks. The pins are rusted to the slack and yoke. If trailers are used constantly there doesn't seem
to be a problem. So I tell customers when parking a trailer for short or long periods to spray the auto slacks with PB Blaster or something
like it. So far this year less problems have come to the shop. The tire shops like it though, they can sell more tires because of flat spots.
And keeping the S-cams greased, amazing how much water collects in those bushings and slacks.

The other problem air systems not being serviced and air tanks holding water. I service the air dryers twice a year, changing out the
spin on cartridges. I hate airline antifreeze-alcohol is hard on air valves, dries them out. I've had to change out four speeder valves
this last month that were not that old because of it, IMO.

Truck Shop
 

RonG

Well-known member
Did you ever use Zep 45 in the black can with yellow lettering on it Mike?That is the best rust solvant lubricating spray I have ever used.I have bought it at some NAPA stores.Ron G
 

Truck Shop

Well-known member
Did you ever use Zep 45 in the black can with yellow lettering on it Mike?That is the best rust solvant lubricating spray I have ever used.I have bought it at some NAPA stores.Ron G
Yah know I have seen that product before, never tried it. Napa here in town doesn't stock much, just little tree air fresheners. But there is another
parts house I think has it here in town. I'll pick up a can and give it a go.

I used the term parts house, That's old school.

Truck Shop
 

Goodysnap

Well-known member
I always make it habit to lube the clevis pins on PM to prevent this. I like the pins with hex so you can turn them to check if they are frozen. I have seen some applications that are drilled with zerks installed which can be nice as well. I also quit using alcohol long ago and agree it causes more troubles than its worth. Most trailers do not have landyards on the drain valves or just have petcocks that never get drained on a regular basis. With disc brakes coming more popular they are much less prone to freeze up and tire dragging situations from shoes getting frozen to the drums.
 

Truck Shop

Well-known member
I always make it habit to lube the clevis pins on PM to prevent this. I like the pins with hex so you can turn them to check if they are frozen. I have seen some applications that are drilled with zerks installed which can be nice as well. I also quit using alcohol long ago and agree it causes more troubles than its worth. Most trailers do not have landyards on the drain valves or just have petcocks that never get drained on a regular basis. With disc brakes coming more popular they are much less prone to freeze up and tire dragging situations from shoes getting frozen to the drums.
I agree 100%. PM work saves so much down the road. No pun intended.

Truck Shop
 

alexlee

Member
I agree with you Ron G Zep 45 its the best solvent for rust i have tried it.... so i have decided to use that only....:)
 

oldnotslow

Active member
Zep makes some awesome products. The 45 lubricant is outstanding. If you do any paving, they make a soy-based product that is water soluble, biodegradable, and will literally melt asphalt residue. It is called Soy Response. Once had asphalt stuck on my rear brake cans for weeks. Sprayed this on came back two days later and it came off with a regular hose and nozzle. A gallon of concentrate will make about 8 gallons of spray. Their aerosol cans of Orange Gel Degreaser are also outstanding. It sticks where you spray it and smells good. Stays on a long time without drying and washes off. I get my stuff from a Zep distributor who doesn't seem to mind delivering the small quantities I order.
 
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