In conducting a complete brake job, disassembly can impact the assembly portion
of the brake job process-both of which affect overall performance of your brakes.

Be sure as you disassemble the brake to inspect every part carefully, checking for
unusual wear. In fact, a little bit of detective work pays off in the long run. Part wear patterns can tell you a lot about the brake and the entire braking system.

DISASSEMBLY
It is important to note that most friction problems can be diagnosed by a close
inspection of the old parts. Begin by checking the pushrod stroke.

Check pushrod stroke per CVSA checking procedures at 90 to 100 psi reservoir pressure. Excessively long or short stroke can alert to problems that need to be addressed during rebuild. Reference Haldex ABA Stroke Adjustment Instructions Service Manual (L55054) and Haldex ABA Service Manual (L30033HBS) for list of potential problems.

Before pulling the wheels, check each for end play and oil-seal leakage. This may
indicate seal problems or bearing/cup wear and/or adjustment needs.

Inspect all brake shoes for even wear. If all brakes are not worn evenly, there may
be failed or misadjusted components that will need to be corrected before assembly.

Inspect lining surface for heat checking. If present, this indicates excessive heat
due to all wheels not braking evenly, incorrect lining being used for the application, overloading or a combination of these.

Check lining wear across each shoe. An uneven pattern or excessive grooves can
indicate the drums need replacing. An uneven pattern can also indicate bent
spiders or bellmouth drums, or weak shoe return springs.

Inspect lining surface for grease or oil. Never reuse a grease or oil-soaked brake
shoe. Grease or oil on the friction material will cause the lining to glaze and not do its share of the braking. Never do a one wheel brake job.

Inspect drum surface for even wear, glazing and/or heat checking. Heat checks,
cracks and blue spots are indicators of excessive heat (hairline heat checks not
over one inch are normal). Never reuse a drum if wear is over .080 or several heat
checks are aligned across the braking surface or hard spots exist.

Check S-cam for wear at the inner and outer bushing surfaces, S-cam head and
spline areas. Worn S-cam or worn S-cam bushings will contribute to longer-than-normal pushrod stroke.

Check brake adjusters for proper settings and operation. Check clevis pins and anchor brackets for wear. Never mix automatic brake adjusters with manual brake
adjusters, or use different makes of automatic brake adjusters on the same axle.

Never operate automatic brake adjusters with worn components.

Check the wear difference between the front and rear axle shoes (if relining a
truck or trailer). If the wear is not equal, this can indicate an air timing imbalance or different rated friction materials. Check for inconsistent use of elbows in air lines (a 90-degree elbow is equal to 7 ft of extra hose).

Inspect spiders. Pay special attention to the anchor-pin-hole area and for squareness and S-cam bushing bore, and to anchor surfaces that are not replaceable.

REASSEMBLY
It is important to note:

a) Select the proper friction material based on your type of loads, application, duty
cycle and operating terrain. Consult your supplier if you have any questions.

b) Many shoes look alike, especially the new extended-service design. Therefore,
be sure to install the same shoe that is removed.

Always replace all shoe attaching parts, shoe return springs, anchor pin bushings,
cam bushings and oil seals. All parts being reused should be cleaned with solvent, rinsed and dried. Replace S-cams, bearings and cups, as necessary.

Lubricate anchor pins, brake rollers, camshaft splines and bushing area of camshafts. Never lubricate the face of the roller (contact point with the S-cam).

Only lubricate the bearing area of the roller that contacts the shoe web.
Install new drums, if necessary. Do not mix light and heavy duty drums as this will result in uneven brake shoe wear.

Lubricate axle spindle to insure bearings slide on easily. Slide hubs on to the axle far enough to be able to install the inner and outer bearing and inside axle nut.

Never slam the hub onto the axle. Adjust bearing to manufacturers specifications.

Install spacer/lock ring and outer nut (if applicable) and new hub cap gasket.

Ensure proper hub oil or bearing grease, depending on the type, is applied.

Always adjust all brake adjusters on all wheels of the vehicle. Shoes should be as close to the drums as possible without dragging. Adjust all manual brake
adjusters for .015 drum clearance. Automatic brake-adjuster drum clearance is
.018-.020 (check manufacturer’s specifications for proper setup). Follow the same procedure for each brake adjuster on the vehicle.

Inspect all brake hoses leading to chambers. Replace if cracks are found.

Inspect all spring brakes for center seal leakage. Replace, if needed.

Check brake release. If slow on the trailer, install a quick-release gladhand on the
service side of the trailer to speed air exhaust.

Inspect spring brakes for proper installation of rubber cap in caging bolt hole.
If you replaced any brake chambers, ensure you did not mix sizes. Never mix
long-stroke with standard-stroke chambers on the same vehicle.

If relining a trailer, replace both gladhand seals.

Always road-test after reassembly to check for satisfactory brake performance.

Automatic brake adjusters are typically backed off a half turn from lining contact.
Final stroke will not occur until brakes are cycled and lining is “burnished in.”

Re-examine wheels for excessive end play.

Re-check brake adjusters and chambers for proper and equal stroke.