How I cage a brake chamber and get home

It is illegal to drive with a caged brake chamber. I am not advising anyone to drive with a caged brake chamber. Drive and make repairs at your own discretion.
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[@spencerc9284]

Nice fix but please remind people how dangerous brake chambers can be if someone doesn't know what they're doing. That spring can shoot through a concrete block wall and will turn someone's guts to soup if they're not careful or don't know what they're doing

[@aftersolo]

Good advice. I'll highlight your reply so its at the top of the comments.

[@wethobgoblin2740]

You also need to put the parking brake on when work with a brake chamber as well for the slack adjuster to release so you can safely work on them.

[@aftersolo]

@wethobgoblin2740 that's how I did it. A lot of people have suggested to cage the chamber with brakes released bc it's easier but I just applied them and did it. Took longer but felt safer.

[@tractorboy31]

Both times I had blown chambers the spring had broke and ruptured diaphragm. Company driver and funny I just had 1 blown on trl this morning. Waited a few hrs at delivery store while waiting for mechanic

[@ItalianStallion1415]

Usually, the spring is broken by the time it leaks like this. You can tell if you smack the chamber and hear a rattling piece of metal

[@Kh1m3ra]

Little piece of advice from a diesel tech, just to make things a bit easier: If you release the brakes, then insert the caging bolt and tighten it down, you'll do a lot less turning to ensure that it's properly caged. Even if it's leaking like that, it should still push the internal piston back a decent bit, just a little trick I've learned from changing them out so many times

[@aftersolo]

I appreciate the tip. Yeah, that would of saved a lot of headache.

[@dmac6955]

Underrated comment

[@scottbulach]

I think for safety reasons to show people the safest way is to do it the way he did it but yes the easiest way and the way I do it is to release the brakes. Way faster.

[@aftersolo]

Agreed

[@gopnikolai7483]

​@@Cyrus_The_Virus_00even if you let the brakes off in the cab, when you dump all the air out and knock the engine off, the brakes will be on. Air brake systems are fail-safe designed with the default state of the brakes being on and applied. Chamber service brake is a diaphragm pushed by air, park brake is a big fuck-off sweaty spring that can hold up a building. The spring is always trying to push the brakes on, and air releases the brakes. No air = parking brake stuck on, the same as if the engine is running, with the parking brake pulled on in the cab. I think the fail-safe exception is trains. I don't know why but I think they're the opposite way, with the default brake states. Like by default, the brakes are off, air applies the brakes. I work on wagons and trailers so I don't know anything about trains.

[@mwoodall13]

I’ve heard cajun bolts are spicy 🌶️

[@aftersolo]

Lol. Even the auto-captions thought i was saying cajun.

[@nam6128]

I heard that part and immediately started craving some Cajun bread 🤤

[@tommytom5650]

I was coming to make this comment and you beat me to it

[@darralpphillips]

I hate coming to the comments only to see someone has already commented my comment 😂

[@garyw9108]

Now I want Blackened Cajun Chicken

[@dbblues.9168]

I was a class 8 truck mechanic for 6 years before I became a driver. Basic mechanical skills and an understanding of how semis work will save a driver a lot of time and money. Any driver willing to get on the ground to stay productive is gold these days fays.

[@aftersolo]

For sure. I was at it today putting on some new brake chambers on my trailer. Tomorrow, looks like I'll be replacing the ecu for the trailer. Brakes have been skipping. I unplugged it and problems gone. But yeah, I save a ton of money doing everything myself. Only person I can be mad at is myself if something goes wrong.

[@ooVEXXXoo]

I was a driver that has switched to being a mechanic at the same company. When they ask me to drive to help them I now bring a bag of tools and it has helped me more often than count from corroded wires that stop a sensor from working to hydraulic hoses that needed to be snugged up

[@mattr8772]

You’re a dying breed my friend, mostly all new drivers don’t know what a brake chamber is.

[@Alex462047]

I squashed a brake booster between the axle and the trailer frame the other day (don't ask how it got there). Lucky for me, that big spring was a goneburger, but the bottom half still shot out from under with a bit of force, landed right at my feet.

[@Zookeeper101]

I always pull my cage bolts and put them in my tool box. I've had way too many times i couldn't get them out of the holder on the brake can due to dirt/ salt/ road grime.

[@aftersolo]

I'll have to do that, especially with winter coming. Appreciate the tip!

[@Scorkula]

@@aftersoloalways keep a spare or 2 in the truck with you

[@rickcross7888]

Looking at the dirt on that chamber and how easy he got the cage bolt out he doesn't drive anywhere near the rust belt 😮

[@aftersolo]

@@rickcross7888 definitely not.

[@ThePeopleVerse]

Dude, when I was learning to drive trucks .... mmm, 1982-3 ... everybody learned first thing was how to adjust your brakes pre-trip or start of the day and to get yourself home with an air leak of any kind. That is exactly how you let that brake roll.

[@aftersolo]

They don't teach that stuff anymore. I am 100% self-taught

[@DAndyLord]

@@aftersolo I learned to drive a bus recently. We have a whole team of mechanics and will never ever have to to a brake adjustment. It was the first thing we were tested on.

[@trickyricky12147]

@@aftersolo Don't worry, many people wouldn't know what to do to limp home a regular car or truck anymore. Tow truck bills are expensive, so I always find a way. lol 🤷

[@aftersolo]

@DAndyLord yes. Too much liability. Makes sense. I'm just a one man show.

[@aftersolo]

@trickyricky12147 You have to. When I was a company driver, I got stuck. Called breakdown. They sent a wrecker. Wrecker company was 2 miles away. They charged $500. This was in 09. It would be $1000 now. They only had to pull me 5 feet. Their trucks are super expensive so I get it, but if I was stuck now, I'm finding a way out. I'll walk and flag down people if I have to. Maybe a farmer with a tractor could help. I'll use my landing gear and raise the entire truck and put rocks and boards under the tires. Done that and it worked. I'll uber to lowes and get a shovel and salt. I'd rather spend 100 dollars at the most than a thousand anyday. I'm getting out no matter what without calling a wrecker.

[@butternmayo]

I watched thousands of tutorials and had a cdl for 22 years and never knew about the cajun bolt, awesome thank you

[@stuffandthings8767]

When I was young I was directed by a manager to take a brake chamber apart. Never mentioned anything about a caging bolt. Half of my face is titanium now. Cage your shit haha

[@aftersolo]

Jesus. Sorry dude. Dangerous stuff

[@sumo-ninja]

I really hope you got money out of it

[@cargofun200]

CHP commercial Enforcement. The first things they showed us was that the damn springs would ruin your day and the facility if messed with! Luckily we just showed the driver and they took care of the problem outside 😢

[@Rainhill1829]

Fun trick i was taught by an old timer: if the brake pot has an internal leak you can block the airline off by inserting a dime into the air fitting connecting the supply line to the pot. Turns out dimes fit perfectly into the fitting.

[@joshriles84]

3 weeks later, i guess I'll replace that chamber now lol

[@anything.with.motors]

Thats what I was thinking. Ok now that iv done 15000 miles i should probably fix that issue with the brakes

[@garyw9108]

I don't always forget to fix a broken brake chamber, but when I do it's usually when I'm about to hit a 10+ downgrade during a miniature hurricane, with a muti trailer load.

[@michaellugo6506]

Just put few zip ties on that vise grip you should be good till next PM 😂😂😂

[@sandasturner9529]

Lol

[@HustleVenture]

That would be nice but this will be replaced immediately as dot would have a field day and both drivers and dispatchers know this.

[@noahtownshend4540]

Vice grips on the brake rod before you cage it then release the air then use the cage bolt

[@Jonah.the.moist.noodle]

As a guy who used to replace brakepots/brake chambers, man for a moment I was so stressed thinking you planned on rebuilding that bomb lmao. But great video showing how to get back to the shop. And for the idiots that might try rebuilding one... DO NOT try rebuilding the brake chamber! Just replace the whole thing, much safer, and easier. Those springs+ the rod in it turn into a rocket that WILL kill you if you ever so slightly mess up. Re adjusting the brakes is easy too, so don't use that as an excuse

[@toxictrpgaming3612]

its allways a good idea to wrap some tape around your vice grip pliers , by putting some tape around the head prevents them from puncturing the air line . then secure pliers as well . the vibration with pressure and the sharp teeth on those pliers it will wear that line down .

[@aftersolo]

Good idea. Thanks for the advice. I guess you could wrap the line too before crimping it. I had a bigger hose I tried to put around it and crimp it but it just wasn't happening

[@Zookeeper101]

Or just put a dime in the fitting at the can, no risk of damage to the rubber line.

[@aftersolo]

@@Zookeeper101 I'll have to remember to keep some change with me in the truck in my washers and nuts bottle.

[@JohnR2022]

Smile good.

[@Mark_317]

I like to put a piece of hose on each jaw of the vice grips, give her some cushion to not bite the line.

[@daniellepage2923]

If you go to a heavy truck parts store you can pick up a spare chamber and leave it in your truck somewhere. All you need is a 15/16th wrench and socket. A pair of needle nose pliers. And and adjustable wrench. And best to have a 7/16 wrench for the slack adjuster

[@aftersolo]

Yeah, I definitely need to carry one with me.

[@daniellepage2923]

@@aftersolo get a few sizes of air line couplers and some spare glad hands and runners. Also a spare trailer power cord and some bungee cords couldn’t hurt. Wouldn’t believe the service calls I get or road side rescues I do in 10 min for $400 just patching an airline or a pigtail.

[@aftersolo]

@daniellepage2923 I got everything in the world with me, just not the brake chamber. I'm running out of room bc I have so many tools and parts. I have to with an older freightshaker running up and down oil lease roads. It always seems like its that one thing I don't have that I need. I got a buddy that only has a socket set that looks like it came from Walmart and that's it. No way I could do that

[@philsmith2444]

You may have to clock it so the hoses reach the fittings and are away from the driveshaft, *make sure* it’s still caged before you do that because it involves loosening the clamps (9/16”/14mm) on the spring brake side. Unless it’s one of the new style cans like mentioned above. Cut the pushrod ahead of time if yours aren’t welded.

[@B0RN2RACE100]

Also, it is 100% legal to be down 1/10 or 10% of brakes. Just make sure you fix it quick. If another brake goes down or out of specs, the dot will put you out of service and ticket you.

[@aftersolo]

Ok. Appreciate the info.

[@backroadtrucking]

Your service brakes still work with the chamber caged, so you've still got 100% of your brakes functioning while driving down the road. You just have to use caution when parking, as most road tractors only have spring brakes on 1 drive axle. If your truck is spec'd heavier, it'll have them on both drive axles. If that's the case, even with a chamber caged you still have more parking brakes than most road tractors. And the OOS is 20%. 2 defective brakes on a 5 axle truck gets you shut down. 1 defective brake is just a citation.

[@aftersolo]

@backroadtrucking Yes. That was how I interpreted the 20% rule as well. I had an empty trailer so that was another 4. The brakes still worked just fine. I really didn't even notice it. I just don't want to argue with people on here. It's exhausting. Some people got extremely upset about the video. Reminded me of my brother getting upset for me not using a torque wrench for freaking spark plugs.

[@500mgs-of-fukitol.]

You can back the brake off the drum by turning the slack adjuster and then punching the libe off too. I dont ever leave a cage bolt in my new chambers. They fall out and ya run them over and screw up a tire.

[@Frank-re6bc]

I'm glad to know some drivers out there still know how to do it

[@aftersolo]

I try

[@rb2287]

Wow! I had no idea you could do that! Great tip! ALWAYS have a few tools in your cab, especially for stuff like this.

[@haroldjackman2010]

Great info. Hopefully someone who loves you will buy you a ratcheting box wrench.

[@aftersolo]

I hope so too

[@davidturk6170]

I’d tape the vice grip to hose; less chance of loosing it over the road.

[@BillyBob-im7og]

My dads friend had a vice grip on the brake line driving home on I-75 it came off went through someone’s window and made them blind and he went to jail good idea to tape it

[@chrisrageNJ]

I was going to say the same thing

[@magicalphones]

​@@BillyBob-im7oghow did they know if they went blind.

[@cooper8318]

@@magicalphones lawsuit

[@goosenotmaverick1156]

I'd be more concerned about the possible damage to the hose? Are these not wire woven air hoses that will crush and break the steel braided portion of it and cause it to weaken? Edit to add, I've seen low pressure fuel hoses be damaged from technique like this. So I assume more rigid air lines would suffer similar damage? I Understand the point of getting yourself home without a tow, but I assume that line needs to be replaced now? It's basically been crushed, isn't it's integrity compromised?

[@wellfudgethis]

I usually remove the supply line,then get a penny, trim it to size with a file or on concrete basically anything as its soft metal,then put in in the fitting and tighten back up,basically you are capping that air line, its done as it looks better,its secure and if dot man wants to do an inspection there wont be anything to grab his attention,this is faster tho so kudos 👍😊

[@aftersolo]

I appreciate the tip. I'll have to carry some changes with me. They would never know.

[@Thomas-qh3vj]

A dime will work on the trailer air lines done it a time or two

[@josephdobias2813]

I was told a dime will do the same thing without having to trim it

[@JonathanCF0]

Honestly, it's very clever to have a temporary solution to a known problem attached to the part. Why isn't this more common in, well, everything.

[@aftersolo]

Bc of money

[@timcook6566]

I was the backup driver for our overnight guy. Driving a semi pulling doubles. I usually drove a straight truck within the city. I was 3 hours out of town when the air warning alarm started screaming at me. I pulled over just in time for the brakes to lock up as I was coming to a stop. I had to walk a mile or so to a gas station and use the pay phone (before cell phones were a thing) and call my boss. Took four hours for a tow truck to show up. After telling him what happened he chuckled, and looked in the driver’s side door pouch and pulled out a rubber gasket. I felt like the world’s biggest dumbass because it was just a rotted gasket on the glad hand. You can bet that I checked that every time I drove that truck from then on 😂

[@aftersolo]

We've all done things like that. Got to love those doubles. I pulled triples for 7 years. It sucked when the rear trailer was the heaviest. That thing was like a wrecking ball. People were afraid to pass. 😆 🤣

[@davidharton7202]

buy a rachet spanner life will be easier than using a shifter

[@declansills1614]

I've driven trucks a long time, but never knew how to do that.

[@muhammadtayyabshahzad484]

Every truck has different brake system, it's also informative

[@benblackburn6774]

You sir have balls of steel. People need to know that brake chambers can be very dangerous

[@Wild_Bill57]

I was today years old when I learned how to do that. Thanks!

[@aftersolo]

Glad I could help!

[@Lettucepray2]

Yeahhh brother. Thanks for sharing for others.we also do that in our country.i live in Suriname.

[@aftersolo]

I had to look that up. What a beautiful country. Yeah. We do what we got to do out here.

[@desislayer8790]

Thanks for the straight to the point video. YOU SAVED ME A TOW

[@aftersolo]

Glad I could help.

[@HutchesonMobileMechanics]

As a gas mechanic whos bot used to these sort of heavy duty braking systems this is actually an interesting fix. Ill be sure to use this when i pick up my diesel chevy in a few months. Thanks man.

[@aftersolo]

No problem. Glad I could help

[@donziperk]

Instead of pinching the hose with vice grips and possibly damaging it I take the fitting apart and put a copper or brass round head rivet in the hole and put the fitting back together. It seals perfectly on the taper. Carry them in my tool box.

[@rickcross7888]

In the rust belt we carry Cage bolts in our toolbox. Because if you leave them on the chamber you will never get them off 😊

[@squatchpnw2331]

I'm so glad I just watched this video because I had a brake chamber go bad and I wish I knew how to do this before

[@aftersolo]

Glad I could help. 👍

[@NTATchannelNickTaylor]

My 9900i crapped a chamber. I change mine in pairs. There's a socket made that's extra deep and made for this. Sunex Tools part# 224XD and Lisle 49000. Being in the HD towing business I have one in every wrecker. Pro Tip, when tightening the nut and the brake shoes clear the drums (keep an eye on the slack adjusters too, if it stops moving stop turning 👍🏽) Every truck I have I removed the bolts from the chamber and they're sprayed with my homebrew lube and they're in a sandwich bag with the trucks tools in the toolbox. So if and when they need to be used (for MY trucks) they're clean and lubed and ready to go. I've came across so many that are so corroded and crudded up I have to use some I keep in the wrecker just in case. But you got her done and that's what counts! Yessir...

[@aftersolo]

I got that socket and it's awesome. I actually used it the other day. I had to change out all 4 of my torque arms on the trailer and the brake chambers were in the way. On one of them, I caged it. Once I was finished putting the new torque arm on, I reinstalled the brake chamber. I went to loosen up the caging bolt and it was very difficult for my impact. I ended up breaking the bolt and that spring made a super loud noise when it popped back. I guess the nut was cross-threaded or something or maybe I put it on too tight. I wish I could of just engaged the brakes but the spot where the caging bolt goes doesn't line up with the hole where you stick it in. I had guys telling me it's easier to cage the brakes with the brakes released and I tried that but it just doesn't line up. I can kind of get the bolt in there, but I can't turn it. I wish I could do that bc it does seem like it would be a lot easier and a lot less stress on the caging bolt and nut.

[@NTATchannelNickTaylor]

@@aftersolo Yeah we run across that a lot when towing disabled trucks. We have little tricks that work but it's hit or miss. A lot of times the cage key inside the chamber will get cockeyed and sometimes a small prybar can be used to manipulate it enough to get it to where you can get the cage bolt in it.

[@The_Superior_Self]

I dont think many people realise how horrifyingly powerfull these cute little metal bumbs are.

[@jsmith5443]

Wow, what an awesome design. That is cool having something to fix the problem it might have.

[@enoch7132]

10 cents always works for me drop it in the hose and tighten it back up it contours to the fitting and you don’t have to worry about the dot seeing those vice grips

[@RG-wy1ol]

Thanks for making this video very helpful and informative

[@aftersolo]

Glad it was helpful!

[@markiefufu]

I didn't have my chambers go bad, but I let mine sit for four years without driving. The shoes were stuck to the drums. Had to cage them and pound away on the drums till the pads released. I did this in subzero temps last December in Minnesota. It was a lot of fun! 😉

[@aftersolo]

I guess you could always back the pads off the drum with the slack adjuster if it's going to be sitting a while. I probably wouldn't even think to do it. If I know it's going to get super cold, I'll just leave the brakes released and chock the wheels overnight if I'm idling. Now, if the truck is off, that's a different story.

[@michaelprue9024]

The rubber diaphragm inside is most likely cracked and failed. They have a tendency to do that and leak air. You can replace the diaphragm to fix it, as long as the spring isn’t broken, but you’re probably better off just replacing the entire chamber. Whenever I get a customer in the shop with a failing brake chamber I suggest replacing both on the same axle at the same time. You don’t have to, but if they’re old you’re better off, at least you’ll know what you have instead of being nickel and dimed 1 at a time until they’re all replaced eventually.

[@aftersolo]

Yeah, I just replaced both of them.

[@stevep7713]

Snap on makes a nice extra deep 3/4 npact socket that works great for that bolt

[@aftersolo]

I need that in my life. Thankyou

[@huntereakright8988]

cajun bolt sounds splendid

[@arvedludwig3584]

Thank you Mercedes for having that bolt already installed and the nut fixed to the end. Meant I could use the ratched all the way.

[@aftersolo]

Thats convenient

[@mikeadams2252]

Good fix man, I always carried a small pair of needle nose vise grips for the exact same thing. Always better to get it back to the shop👍

[@aftersolo]

Thankyou. Finally, someone who gets it. Got a lot of armchair quarterback, dot inspector wannabes on here critiquing the ever loving crap out of everything they don't understand and never will.

[@stevenliberadzki9160]

Release brake. Place vice grips on rod that goes to slack. Set brake. Now cage chamber. Both springs in chamber now caged and no need to pinch off air line.

[@aftersolo]

I would still have the leak though, right? The truck was struggling to keep the air pressure up. Thats the main reason I did it. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[@stevenliberadzki9160]

@aftersolo with the brake set no air leak. If you did you got a bad valve or a different brake chamber back feeding. And what's an air leak gonna hurt when you're repairing the chamber?

[@aftersolo]

I mean to get home. I don't want a huge air leak on the way home and my brakes going off. I believe it was a bad diaphragm. I'll remember you're trick though next time. I've also heard of taking off the line, putting a dime in it to block it off, turn putting it back on.

[@stevenliberadzki9160]

@aftersolo yes it was a bad diaphragm but in an unservicablĺe area of the chamber. So the job to fix it is what's called a piggy back. Parts needed.. New diaphragm, piggy back, and 2 piece clamp to secure parts together because the clamp is one time use. All parts should come in one box. Weather it is LS or SS t20 or t30

[@aftersolo]

Ok. See. I didn't know you could do all that. I just replaced the whole thing. Makes me nervous taking apart stuff like that. I'm assuming it would be much cheaper. There was another guy on here saying you can't replace the diaphragm. You sound like you know what youre talking about though. Thanks for the info.

[@TARGETBrakes]

Very good instructional video👍

[@aftersolo]

Thanks 👍

[@briebel2684]

Looks like a Midland style brake actuator with the roll form clamp band. Fun story about why the bolt less clamp band came about, and how a dumb mechanic put 400 some people out of a job: Mechanic ignored the warnings all over the housing and thought he was strong enough to hold that spring and take it apart. He was wrong, and it ended him. His wife sued. Midland settled despite it being his fault. Midland comes up with a new design so that doesn't happen again. Midland forgets to patent the new design, and a competitor submits a patent even though they themselves aren't making them. Competitor then sues. Midland ends up having to pay royalties to the patent holder despite being the only company that made those at the time. Business is struggling due to the patent royalties. Owner conglomerate sells Midland to the competitor. Competitor then shuts down the plant and moves it to Mexico. The plant still sits mostly empty to this day, only occasionally being used as a warehouse by the company that shut it down.

[@aftersolo]

Wow. That's a hell of a story. Made me depressed. What a horrible way to go out of business. Thanks for sharing.

[@Dot-bs4yv]

Ruthless 💀

[@Amen.22]

@@Dot-bs4yvThat reminds me of a girlfriend I had years ago. Her name was Ruth. I had a motorcycle at the time. One day I was going to take Ruth for a ride. I started it up and Ruth got on behind me. I took off too fast and Ruth fell off the back. I drove on Ruthlessly.

[@rsxbase9291]

As a heavy wrecker driver I #respected you

[@aftersolo]

No problem. Comments like yours make my day in a sea of people who probably can't leave the house without their driving gloves and try to memorize car manuals to sound smart online. It's been rough last couple days with these armchair quarterbacks.

[@johnfroelich2066]

As a wrecker driver I'm always shocked at how many drivers don't know how to cage brakes or what it does. Even more shocking when it is an owner operator.

[@CBelske]

Brings memories of caging brakes on the side of asr Long Island in Iraq.

[@MechanicsAdvice]

Finally a driver who keeps the cage bolt .. man these European and Arab drivers could learn something here

[@bikelifesoldier5412]

Finally, a useful informative video that kept my interest 👍

[@aftersolo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@horseman1968]

That has happened to me so many times in the 2.5 decades I’ve been driving

[@GraceEngineering]

Note to everyone, take the time to pull all your cage bolts out of their holders in the can and clean and antisieze them then restow them into their tubes. The mismatched metals, steel bolt to aluminum body, will fill the holder and bolt threads with corrosion and rust to the point that they are stuck so bad you can't get them out without breaking the housing. Ask me how I know.

[@revoldrofnugoblarevoldrofn9278]

Did a similar thing to my old f350. I had break fluid leaking from rear lines (hit snow/ice Bank and clipped the brake line). I ended up using a vice grip to clamp the main supply to the splitter to the rear wheels as a temporary until I got home to repair the broken line. Fun days

[@rodneypattonsr3179]

Been there and have done that a time or two. If you don't have a pair of vice grips, you can take the supply line off and put a dine in it and put it back on, it'll block the air going to the break pod.

[@elamonty]

Holy crap, all this time. I never knew there was a bolt right there for that!

[@aftersolo]

Yeah. I never knew for the longest when I was a company driver...

[@jasonstclair6293]

No guarantees on that though. It all depends on if the last person took it out and left it out for whatever reason.

[@aftersolo]

@jasonstclair6293 good point. Guess you would have to borrow one from another in that case

[@ireneanderson859]

Head shop guy did this on my truck when an air can started leaking while i was parked for night, an hour away from the yard (dang elog) only he also had to use 2 quarters to help vice grip pinch better. He brought out a new can but forgot the trailer i had used the kind with a longer rod.

[@aftersolo]

I just got some smooth jaw vice grips for next time. Will be a little easier on the air line

[@ohiopipper3956]

Use a pair of vise grips on the back of you brake chamber so the slack adjuster don’t move forward and you cage the brake chamber. After putting the caging bolt in the slot chalk your wheels and supply air to the system this help with caging it a lot easier. You not having to turn the nut under pressure cause supplying air takes the pressure off. Then give it a turn or two then set your brakes again then take your chamber off

[@dakotahmoose1192]

When I worked at a semi junkyard (we took them apart to keep others going) I actually bought the socket for that when we had a bulk rear end purchase, it's like a 5" long socket...I used it maybe 10 times, now it sits in my impact box, shiny as ever, no longer used 😂

[@aftersolo]

I need that socket...

[@joshurban5197]

Vicegrips the one tool every one needs in there tool box.

[@aftersolo]

Most definitely.

[@yarddog6237]

Smart man, believe it or not, not. Many men know how to do that good job.

[@John13Edge]

I use to carry #10 round head screws ( Phillips or Robertson) 3/4 in long ….you could undo brake line ,place threaded section towards chamber ,tighten air line back on. The round of the head would seal against the air line…and number one make sure the T bolt is in the right place if you have never done this the next time you are visiting with the mechanic most will have a broken chamber and show you on a “safe” chamber

[@aftersolo]

Nice. Thanks for the info.

[@brettrhea9179]

you probably should also incorporate two washers on the vise grips for the hose

[@aftersolo]

Yeah. I got some smooth jaw vice grips for next time

[@shawnxd7338]

Yeah your vice grips are in my passenger seat headrest 😂

[@OneBitGaming]

If you push in the air to your parking brake chamber. It makes caging a lot easier as the air is caging it for you. Just twist the bolt on and release the parking brake. Do this on a flat surface with the wheels chalked

[@aftersolo]

I'll do that next time. I appreciate it.

[@WillaHerrera]

This are some spicy parts. Cajun is my favorite

[@5bellaful]

My drove a truck and bought and sold truck's. I'd watch him do this thing he would explain why. Thanks dad

[@JesseLeBourgeois]

excellent piece of knowledge, thank you

[@aftersolo]

You're very welcome

[@gotsteem]

I learned something new today..

[@aftersolo]

👍

[@howardullom2683]

Its called a 30/30 spring break in case anyone was wondering , they have them on the shelf at any genuine parts store in America! By genuine i mean not fake parts stores like auto zone or advanced auto or o' Rileys

[@jjuggernaut3218]

Cajun bolts are spicy!!!

[@DayandNightFleetRepair]

Good idea if you re stuck on the side of the road but get it fix asap!

[@aftersolo]

For sure

[@AntonFeklushin]

you can use a automatic slack to bring the brake pads together and plug the hose with a coin, or cut a plug for the fitting out of a soda can..

[@aftersolo]

Thanks for the tio!

[@larryc6384]

Back in the 70's when I was learning to work on trucks, an older mechanic taught me how to do it the correct way. On newer brake cans, you can not change the maxi brake diaphragm. Too many people were getting hurt. Now days, release the parking brake, then have another person apply the foot brake, put a pair of vice grips on the rod coming out of the can against the mounting bracket, NOW the can clamps bolts can be removed safely.

[@aftersolo]

The vice grips police will get onto you for that. 😆 🤣 That's a cool trick though.

[@larryc6384]

You only use the vice grips to change the diaphragm, then remove them. The other thing to do is, adjust the brakes the other direction so it pulls the rod out of the can. Back when you could change the maxi diaphragm, the can was bad, so I safely got it apart and completely released the maxi spring. In this situation, the spring is about 12" long. Compressed, it puts 900 lbs. of pressure on the brake rod.

[@aftersolo]

Dang, you know way more than me about brakes. A lot guys on here just told me to carry around a few pancakes that way I don't have to replace the entire thing. That spring scares me though. I've heard too many horror stories.

[@ruxoneto6560]

No you are confusing the brake chamber spring with the parking spring , there are two springs in the maxi pot you are correct in vice gripping the pusd rod in the applied position then you must cage the parking chamber, i would caution if you are not sure what you are doing (DON'T loosen any clamp bolts ) . & block the tires from rolling , i have seen seasoned mechanic get killed & injured with brakes rusted to drum with brakes released & under truck trying to release stuck shoe & when shoe releases get run over by truck , very innocent mistake but deadly .

[@larryc6384]

I am not confusing anything. On 1970s Era brake cans, you could change the maxi diaphragm by caging the maxi spring. Now days, it isn't possible to change the maxi diaphragm. The spring in the brake chamber is only strong enough to return the slack adjuster to the brake released position.

[@trevintaylorthe6_7veganttucke]

This the type of ingenuity you need to learn when you own your truck to save yourself about 1.5k.

[@aftersolo]

😆 🤣 Exactly

[@dangeary2134]

First off, I would have (and have) backed off brakes enough to get them to a repair shop. What you are doing is NOT illegal, by any stretch. Anything over five axles can have one disabled brake to finish the day if a “local” truck, or enough to get the truck to a repair shop if it’s an OTR truck. That is LAW!!!

[@sandasturner9529]

Good to know

[@oregonfordguy9812]

just did 2 on mine. i keep my bolts in the tool boz since they tend to seize innthe chamber holder

[@aftersolo]

Good advice. Think I'll do the same

[@travisstoneking4049]

I always put a bolt in the end of the air line if I don’t have any thing to pinch the line off. Just sharing if your ever in a situation.

[@aftersolo]

Appreciate the advice

[@firstname6208]

Back when i was still wet behind the ears a supposed master truck mechanic went under to replace a leaking chamber. When he touched that rusty can the spring came right thru the can and knocked him out cold. True story.

[@MacGyver2154]

Ahhhhhh, so that's why I keep seeing vice grip pliers on the road. 😂😂😂

[@dennisschofield6548]

I just cage the bolt far enough to take the pressure off. Then back the slack adjuster off. Clamp the air line.

[@dakotahmoose1192]

I got the specific tool for that brake release, used it like 5 times and than quit working at that junkyard, but at least i have it lol

[@paulodwyer5599]

That is some really useful information mate . Thankyou

[@MMDALR]

At my work we have Dimes bent to put in the supply lines to get the trucks to the shop

[@aftersolo]

I'll keep a few with me. Thankyou

[@ronmurphy9819]

Good to know. Thanks

[@e.b.6766]

Great tutorial!!!

[@aftersolo]

Thank you!

[@whatsupchris]

“The Cajun bolt” ??? Is it spicy ??? 😂

[@cincyjohn69]

Awesome video great little trick

[@aftersolo]

Thanks! 👍

[@alanincardona1879]

Good luck getting the caging bolt off the brake chamber. They usually rust in place, and won't come off. Also back the brake off.

[@terrycapehart6303]

KZbin worth watching, thank you sir, have a blessed day América

[@aftersolo]

You're welcome 😊

[@warhammers]

Got a recommendation for a tool. Racheting combination wrenches would've been a good tool to have on hand.

[@capn.c5321]

Cajun bolt sounds pretty tasty

[@nicholaszavala6991]

Lisle makes a cage bolt socket. 1/2" dr and its long enough for the bolt. Just a suggestion for next time. Good video!!! This is the only way i work on air brakes. Lol

[@aftersolo]

I'm definitely going to buy one. Thanks for the tip.

[@garyg79]

Instead of pinching off the supply line you can take it loose from the fitting and put a dime inside of it on most lines. Then tighten the line back on it and the dime ax as a cork so you don't need to pinch the supply line and run the risk of accidentally putting a hole in it.

[@dannyorsello8668]

I’ve done that many times but never knew it was called caging 😂

[@byronhoda7564]

And prey DOT doesn't randomly stop you for inspection 😬 My dad did this on a trailer he bought and got massive fine

[@aftersolo]

Yeah. Surprisingly, it's not an oos violation bc of the 20% rule. Definitely a violation though. Hard times out here.

[@djd34d14]

They call it a cajun bolt cuz them bois can fix anything.

[@davidtaylor8002]

In 23 years of semi work, I never saw caging bolts come of that easy. 99.99% of time they were rusted solid in the holder.

[@aftersolo]

Guess I got lucky

[@codyleonard9798]

A few things for ya. Get a 3/4 extra deep 1/2 drive socket, and hose pliers. Vice grips leave tears in the hose, while hose pliers have flat smooth jaws.

[@aftersolo]

I already got a pair of them based off another comment. Thankyou. I'm ordering the socket too. Thanks for not giving me a lecture either.

[@paulfournier3561]

You can just release the brakes and put the bolt in and then set the brakes no tools required

[@joshuapreston5333]

I would not do that it will rip the aluminum flange on the inside and then u need a whole new can not a piggy back can

[@fandango_buttlicks]

​@@joshuapreston5333wrong

[@Kh1m3ra]

​@@joshuapreston5333 Something tells me you don't completely grasp how caging works Caging a chamber *only* affects the piggyback side which in turn, prevents the push rod from moving The housing on the piggyback side is meant to withstand and contain the spring pressure inside the chamber and it doesn't matter how you cage it, it will hold up