Installing a fresh trailer s cam bushing kit is usually often one of the most ignored part of a solid brake job, however it's the 1 thing that can save you from a massive headache down the road. If you've ever sensed that annoying vibration or heard the rhythmic thumping every time you tap the particular brakes on your own rig, you're most likely dealing with sloppy bushing. It's one associated with those "while you're in there" tasks that makes the night-and-day difference in how your trailer handles under the heavy load.
What is actually inside the kit?
When a person order a trailer s cam bushing kit , you aren't just obtaining a couple of metal fleshlight sleeves. Most of these kits are created to be a total refresh for the camshaft assembly. You'll usually find the particular bushings themselves—which may be bronze, nylon, or a high-density composite—along with the particular necessary seals, O-rings, washers, and all those tiny snap rings that always appear to fly across the shop when you're seeking to install all of them.
The variety in materials is actually pretty essential. Old-school guys generally swear by the heavy-duty bronze bushing simply because they can consider a beating plus handle the heat. However, some of the newer engineered plastics or "no-lube" composites have become really well-known simply because they don't catch up as easily in case you forget to strike the grease fittings for a several weeks. No matter which material you choose, the goal may be the same: keeping that camshaft perfectly concentrated so your brake shoes and boots hit the drum evenly.
Indications your current bushings are usually toast
A person might think your brake shoes are just wearing down, when you look closely at the use patterns, they tell a tale. If one side of the particular shoe is paper-thin while the other looks brand brand-new, your camshaft is probably dancing about inside a worn-out bushing. That "slop" means the S-cam isn't pushing the rollers out directly.
Another deceased giveaway is "cam flip. " In the event that the bushings are so far eliminated that the S-cam can tilt or even shift, it might actually rotate previous its intended restriction. When that occurs, your brakes can secure up or, even worse, fail to utilize altogether. If you're under the trailer and you can get the camshaft plus wiggle it by hand, you've waited a long time. It should end up being tight and soft, with zero straight or horizontal have fun with.
Why this particular little kit is cheap insurance
Think about the cost of a trailer s cam bushing kit compared to the particular cost of the roadside service contact or an unsuccessful DOT inspection. It's a no-brainer. Whenever those bushings go, they don't just affect the brakes; they begin a chain response. Excessive play in the camshaft leads to vibration, which eventually rattles the particular slack adjuster and can score the camshaft itself.
If you allow it go lengthy enough, you won't you should be replacing a $30 kit; you'll be buying a new camshaft, new rollers, and maybe even a fresh spider plate in case the holes get wallowed out. Maintaining the bushings new ensures that each bit of surroundings pressure you send out to those chambers actually results in stopping power, instead than just twisting a loose base.
Obtaining the work done without shedding your mind
Tackling a trailer s cam bushing kit installation isn't exactly rocket science, but this could be a bit associated with a workout. You'll need to obtain the wheels away from and pull the particular drums first. As soon as you've got the shoes and spring suspensions out of the way, you may get towards the heart of the issue.
Getting rid of the old rubbish
The toughest part is generally getting the outdated, seized bushings out from the tube. If they've been in generally there for years, they've probably bonded with the metal. A good strike and a weighty hammer are your very best friends here. Occasionally, if you're coping with the plastic variety, they'll crumble right out. If you've got bronze ones that won't budge, a little heat through a torch can help, but you have to be careful not really to warp the mounting bracket.
Prepping for that new ones
As soon as the old bushing are out, don't just shove the brand new ones in. Take a minute to clear out the bore along with some emery towel or a cable brush. You want those new bushing to seat flawlessly. If there's a bunch of aged, crusty grease plus rust in right now there, the brand new bushing might not sit directly, and you'll become right back where you started in 6 months.
The particular install
Slide the new bushings in, making sure the grease openings line up with the particular grease zerk fittings on the casing. If you skip this task, your grease gun won't do a lick of good later upon. Tap them within gently—don't go crazy using the sledgehammer—and after that slide the camshaft back through. It should feel snug but move openly when you transform it by hand.
The significance of the closes
One associated with the biggest errors people make whenever using a trailer s cam bushing kit is ignoring the closes. The kit arrives with them for the reason. These closes are designed in order to keep the grease inside the particular bushing area and, more importantly, keep it off your brake linings.
If you skip the seals or install them backward, fat will eventually migrate out of the particular tube and find its way onto the particular brake shoes. Once that happens, these shoes are destroyed. You can't simply wipe the grease off and call it up good; it soaks into the liner material. So, take the extra 30 seconds to ensure individuals seals are sitting down correctly and dealing with the right method.
Maintenance: It doesn't end along with the install
Once you've got everything buttoned upward and your brake systems adjusted, the job isn't quite over for the life associated with the trailer. The trailer s cam bushing kit only lasts mainly because long as the lubrication you give it.
Greasing intervals
You should be hitting those S-cam grease zerks every time the trailer is in the particular shop for a good oil change or even a general examination. You want to see just a little bit of fresh grease purge out from the seals. This flushes out any kind of road salt, dust, or moisture that's tried to sneak in.
Inspecting with regard to play
Even with regular greasing, parts eventually use out. Make it a habit to give the camshaft a quick shake throughout your pre-trip or even monthly maintenance. When you catch the wear early, you can replace the kit before it damages your drums or tires.
Deciding on the best kit for your own axle
Not all trailers are built the same, so not every trailer s cam bushing kit is going in order to fit your particular setup. You should know your own axle manufacturer—whether it's Meritor, Dana, Hendrickson, or someone otherwise. The diameter of the camshaft plus the length of the bushing pipe can vary considerably.
If you aren't sure, the particular best thing to accomplish is pull one of the older bushings and measure it with a set of calipers. Check the inner diameter, the outer diameter, and the overall length. Many kits are pretty universal within certain axle brands, but there's nothing even more frustrating than getting your trailer up upon jacks and recognizing you purchased the 1-1/2 inch kit whenever you actually needed the 1-5/8 inches version.
Wrap it up
At the finish of the day, a trailer s cam bushing kit is really a small investment that will pay off in security and smoother operation. It's one of those parts that you don't really believe about until this fails, but as soon as you've replaced the set, you'll realize how much better the trailer acts. The brakes could be more responsive, the "chatter" will disappear, and you'll have the peace of mind knowing that your foundation brakes are in tip-top shape. It's the dirty, greasy job, but your rig (and your wallet) will be glad for this.