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2026
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08
A large gap in the brake camshaft could cause a fire
It's not uncommon for trailer axles to catch fire, destroying trucks and cargo. But logically, trailers don't have fuel tanks or electrical systems, so why do these fires happen so often? The cause isn't really complicated; many are due to poor maintenance.
Take Brother Hong in Xinjiang, who transports hazardous goods. He bought three second-hand trailers, and the axles had serious fire risks. Luckily, he dismantled and repaired them in time after purchase. Otherwise, hauling a load of flammable goods would be really worrying.
● Large brake camshaft clearance, watch out for tyres catching fire
These three second-hand trailers had been in operation for three years, and the previous owner hadn't maintained them well. So after buying them, Brother Hong first dismantled the wheel hubs and checked the brakes in detail. The inspection revealed that the internal wear was simply dreadful.
Especially the brake camshaft part, the gap between the camshaft and the bearing hole has become very large. Hu Dayong, an expert in brake system maintenance, said: 'When this gap increases, it can cause the lower part of the brake shoe to rub against the brake drum during normal driving.' Long-term friction will generate a lot of heat in the brake drum, which could potentially ignite the tyre and cause a fire. Besides friction, it can also enlarge the gap between the brake pad and drum, eventually leading to insufficient braking power. Therefore, this part must be repaired.
● Severe wear also means the brake camshaft needs to be replaced
Normally, if there's too much play in the brake camshaft, you just need to replace the bushing in the bearing hole. But when this car was taken apart, it was found that there wasn't a trace of grease inside the bearing hole, and besides the bushing, the brake camshaft itself was also severely worn, which clearly shows that this car hasn't had any grease added for a long time.
For safety, the bushings and brake camshaft must be replaced. One thing to watch out for: when replacing the brake camshaft, you have to make sure it isn’t installed incorrectly, because the camshafts on the left and right sides are not interchangeable, and if installed wrongly, it could cause brake failure!
Also, the brake shoe ball bearings need to be checked at the same time. If the base of the balls is worn out too much, the brake shoes may wear unevenly when braking, causing a loss of braking force. The trailer's braking system may seem simple, but it is actually quite complicated. Any small issue in any part can lead to huge irreparable losses. So in daily use, everyone must maintain the whole system at the prescribed intervals to nip any problems in the bud.
Focus on the research and development of automotive brake systems and pneumatic brake valves to promote the development of the auto parts industry!
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