how to release stuck air brakes (caging)

this is a way to unlock your brakes (it is basically the manual version of what happens when you push in the red or yellow knobs in the cab).
this will get you rolling again but you should drive straight to a shop to fix whatever issue caused your brakes to not release...

[@rayanhollister7267]

Thank you so much for saving me a lot of money

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

Always happy to help, truckers stick together & help each other 👍

[@vicpetrishak1077]

Carry 4 caging in the truck or your tool box . 3/4” or 19mm wrench fits the nut .

[@oogie149]

If it gets ya moving it get's ya moving but those brake chambers look fine, internally spring could be weathered away and broken possibly. But I'd try releasing the brakes with the tractor valves and back up sometimes that will free the shoes from the drums if they've been sitting.

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

You're absolutely correct- after caging & releasing them i got them working well

[@cadena06]

Once you cage em, do you drive and then release thw caging bolt? Or when would you take off the bolt

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

You must fix the problem- pulling the spring back will get you rolling & save money on a rodside repair or expensive tow but you would need to solve the issue(s) that had them stuck to begin with.

[@cadena06]

@@vinnyoombotz3132 thanks for the quick reply

[@johnysilver1853]

Good to know how to release them

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

Happy to help!

[@laythap784]

Thank you so so so much it work do you save me so much time

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

No problem! Each 1 teach 1!

[@samueloyebanjo6986]

Do we have to do this for all four chambers?

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

Whichever are stuck, or if your emergency line is busted yes

[@ronaldowen3646]

Is it illegal to pull a trailer with no brakes

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

Depends where you're pulling it to... this is the same thing a tow truck will do (if the operator knows how) but it is to exit the roadway & get repairs for safety purposes.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

So fooking what...Go ahead and pay a tow bill of $400.....Take a ride on the wild side like a farmer...

[@fisher1b]

​@vinnyoombotz3132 we only cage brakes as a last resort. Normally we run air from our auxiliary and use the trailer brakes via our own service line. We are trained to repair airlines before caging becomes an option.

[@fivestar000]

Should the cap always be left plugged in?

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

Yeah bro, you have a T-shaped fitting in there that can get filled with road grime or rusted out etc... The rubber cap keeps it clean in there (some brakes have the bolt built-in, & instead of a rubber cap you will see a hex nut, usually 9/16 i believe...)

[@fivestar000]

@@vinnyoombotz3132 okay because sometimes it pops out and I have to keep pushed in back in should I get the cap replaced since it’s always coming loose? And will I affect anything while being loosened especially while driving?

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

The cap won't affect driving, but caging the brakes will eliminate the use of THAT brake. Cage them & drive to a shop to fix whatever made them not release.

[@fivestar000]

@@vinnyoombotz3132 thanks

[@88Petry]

Why do some people use vise grips on the air line?

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

Probably not on an air line but if so, it would be the same as the reason for doing so on a hydraulic line- crimped to stop a leak

[@JATFinancialcoach]

Thanks buddy!

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

I'm happy to help!

[@codyramos3200]

Why would the brakes lock up like that? Or in this specific case why did they lock up?

[@YourName-jm7lz]

they might be "camed over" which the "S" cam extends to far pushing the shoes to the brake drum and wont release.

[@codyramos3200]

@@YourName-jm7lz ah I see , thanks for the insight .

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

Just think about what we're doing here is "manually" releasing the brakes that we would normally push a valve to release on the dash in the cab...

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

@@codyramos3200 great question! In this case it seems to have been insufficient air but what your name wrote could also be the case. Bleed your air tanks to clear out water & oil (before or after every trip is really good).

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

@@YourName-jm7lz this time it seemed to be clogged air lines close to the diaphragm but it is great to have your insight!

[@gerlandkent6377]

[I, have the wedge type air brakes]

[@pamirsarez5062]

The bolt won’t turn

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

If you're missing that little rubber cap it is possible that the keyhole for the end of your bolt is all cruddy or blocked by road grime- but the bolt itself is not supposed to turn. You put it in the chamber, lining the "T"end up with it's keyhole inside & then turn 1/4 turn to grab the back of the spring. Once that is all in place you thread the nut on the bolt using the nut to draw the "T" up, pulling the spring back.

[@pamirsarez5062]

@@vinnyoombotz3132 Most likely, it's blocked by something solid, it goes in easily matching the T but I can't twist it 1/4.

[@earnestmcmiller5455]

instead of talking about getting other bollts, maybe you could talk about how far you need to turn the bolts

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

All the way... You are effectively doing the same thing the constant air pressure does when you release the brakes with your dash knob

[@Movingfoward-c6p]

Only a technician can cage brakes.

[@vinnyoombotz3132]

@@Movingfoward-c6p lol, i guess anybody is a technician, did you see my other video with my 8yo son caging the brakes lmao