macattack Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 hi. just want to know. what does a guy do if a brake chamber goes out on you when your on the road. this is what happened to me i was cruising along then a heard air passing. noticed my gauge began to drop rather quickly. i stop the truck and noticed one of my rear brake chamber were leaking, at the small hole on the housing.i made it home, but the brakes were dragging somewhat. what do most people do? should i have disconnected the slack adjuster and joined the 2 air lines togeather?thanks Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bollweevil Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 hi. just want to know. what does a guy do if a brake chamber goes out on you when your on the road. this is what happened to me i was cruising along then a heard air passing. noticed my gauge began to drop rather quickly. i stop the truck and noticed one of my rear brake chamber were leaking, at the small hole on the housing.i made it home, but the brakes were dragging somewhat. what do most people do? should i have disconnected the slack adjuster and joined the 2 air lines togeather?thanks The correct temp repair in such a situation would be to cage the brake chamber, and block off the spring brake hose. To do so requires some advance planing. A cage bolt is supplied with each brake chamber at manufacture, and is attached to the chamber. It is up to you to make sure it is there. You will need a 3/4 in wrench to use it. With a rubber supply hose you can clamp it off with a small pair of vise grips. You could clamp a plastic hose, with the understanding that when you do so you have ruined it and it should not be reused. A better idea, would be to remove the line from the release valve or junction and plug it. It takes tools and fittings, no matter how you do it. You can't just hook the lines together, as you have two brake systems to deal with. The service brake needs air pressure to apply, and the parking brake needs constant pressure to release. Learn how to use a cage bolt and figure out what you need for the next time. Getting home is a triumph. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-69488 Share on other sites More sharing options...
macattack Posted January 1, 2011 Author Share Posted January 1, 2011 (edited) thanks. you know i did not realize that at all. would i have to plug both air lines off the chamber or just the one? thanks for your input it is greatly appreciated!!!!.HAPPY NEW YEAR. Edited January 1, 2011 by macattack Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-69544 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bollweevil Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 thanks. you know i did not realize that at all. would i have to plug both air lines off the chamber or just the one? thanks for your input it is greatly appreciated!!!!.HAPPY NEW YEAR. You would plug only the side that was leaking. You could hear the leak on the spring brake or parking side of the camber, because it requires constant pressure to release the spring brakes. A leak on the service brake side shows up as a loss of pressure when the brakes are applied. Harder to find. A service brake leak normally would not affect the parking brake. You could clamp it off or plug it and be on your way. You just can't plan for every problem, but a few bits an pieces will make your life easier. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-69549 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 "You just can't plan for every problem, but a few bits an pieces will make your life easier."I carry a pair of Vicegrips in every one of my trucks. They've been enough to get me home more than once. Maybe one of the best tools ever invented. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-69550 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted January 1, 2011 Share Posted January 1, 2011 "You just can't plan for every problem, but a few bits an pieces will make your life easier."... Maybe one of the best tools ever invented.You're right about that. Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-69557 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 You're right about that. Yea, and don't forget the creeper. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-69619 Share on other sites More sharing options...
macattack Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 (edited) that some good info. thanks guys. i guess i have been pretty damn lucky.so what happened was. when i had the park brake off the chamber was leaking. when i pulled the dash valve the leak would stop.this would mean my emergency side was screwed. so would i plug the service or emergency?sorry for being new to this. Edited January 3, 2011 by macattack Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-69701 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Plug or crimp the emergency hose. You also need to cage the spring. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-69705 Share on other sites More sharing options...
macattack Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 thanks again guys. this is a great site Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-69727 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kav Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 thanks again guys. this is a great site Hi all - I always carried a few Brake lining rivets and small self tapping screws to slip in the middle of the fittings that go onto the chambers. In an emergency you can cage the brake then undo the line and put a rivet in and reconnect the hose- If it is a Service diaphram blown, block up the hose with the rivet to get home and it dosen't damage anything.- Best regards - Michael. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-70003 Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyRebel Posted January 8, 2011 Share Posted January 8, 2011 If the leak is occurring when you supply air to the brakes to release the spring brakes, then and ONLY then do you need to cage the brake. Remove the supply line and use one of the fittings in your tool box (if you have one) to plug the line...or pinch the line off.If the leak is only occurring when you apply the service brakes, however, you do not need to cage the brake. There is no leak on the spring-brake-release side, so the air can continue doing that. Just remove the service brake line and plug it....or pinch it off. Quote When approaching a 4-way stop, the vehicle with the biggest tires has the right of way! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-70024 Share on other sites More sharing options...
macattack Posted January 14, 2011 Author Share Posted January 14, 2011 thanks guys.i also noticed that when i go to release my park brakes it sounds like it is exhausting for a while. you think maybe a release valve or dash park valve. or maybe just a slack adjuster adjustment.thanks again Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-70418 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bullhusk Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I always carry a pair of throw away coveralls (Tyvek) an I always had a piece of 3X6 corragated cardboard folded behind my pass. seat (creeper) it saved my back an ass many times. You guys always come up with some helpful info on this site !!!! great stuff keep it coming !!!BULLHUSK Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-70427 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 I always carry a pair of throw away coveralls (Tyvek) an I always had a piece of 3X6 corragated cardboard folded behind my pass. seat (creeper) it saved my back an ass many times. You guys always come up with some helpful info on this site !!!! great stuff keep it coming !!!BULLHUSKThat's good info. I started a new thread.........."What do you carry in your truck for roadside repairs?" Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-70433 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Mandak Posted July 15, 2019 Share Posted July 15, 2019 Interesting and useful ideas, wished I had those ideas when I was on the road. Being mechanically inclined, should've thought of them. Instead I used a dime filed down to fit inside the supply line to the brake pot, reconnected the hose, therefore no damages to the hose. Then backed off the brake on that wheel only. No more leak til you get to shop/home. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-427916 Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilbur Posted July 25, 2019 Share Posted July 25, 2019 Sounds like 10cent fix Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/17080-brake-chamber-leak-on-road/#findComment-428742 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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