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Surge Brakes
Guides are only intended for use on Atwood™ products by service technicians who have successfully completed
Atwood™ training. This guide should be used in conjunction with the appropriate Instruction Manual provided
with the product and any applicable Industry Standards. This is not intended to be a complete list. Please
direct questions concerning service of Atwood™ products to 866-869-3118 option 5 before proceeding or
service@atwoodmobile.com
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SQUEAKING, CLATTER OR CHUCKING
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CONDITION
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SOLUTION
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Lack of hitch ball lubrication
Binding linkage & pivots on the brake actuator
Loose hitch
Loose hitch
Actuator loose on trailer frame
Hitch ball worn or too small
Overheated brakes
Broken brake drum(s)
Low brake fluid level
Worn out shock absorber
Partial application of breakaway cable
Brakes improperly adjusted
Broken brake return spring
Seized actuator master cylinder
Worn out brake shoes
Leaky wheel cylinder
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- Lubricate with conventional automotive grease or commercial lubricant made for hitch balls
- Oil linkage & pivots on brake actuator
- Inspect hitch & tighten
- Inspect hitch & tighten
- Inspect brake actuator & tighten
- Replace
- Replace wheel bearing
- Replace brake drum(s) & check brake shoes
- Fill & bleed brakes, per IOM instructions
- Replace
- Fully release breakaway cable
- Check brakes for adjustments/IOM instructions
- Replace return spring
- Replace/rebuild actuator master cylinder
- Replace brake shoes and check brake drums
- Replace/rebuild wheel cylinders and replace brake shoes. Clean drums and other hardware.
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RELEASE HANDLE DOES NOT CLOSE EASILY
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CONDITION
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SOLUTION
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Oversize ball
Ball not fully inserted into ball socket
Foreign material in actuator socket
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- Check ball size
- Check for proper ball size. Check to see if jack is fully retracted.
Insure release handle is open when inserting ball.
- Clean and lubricate.
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BRAKE OVERHEATING, SIDE PULL, BRAKES DO NOT OPERATE,
POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE
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CONDITION
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SOLUTION
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Only one brake is applying
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- Check brake adjustment, per IOM instructions.
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Leaking wheel cylinder
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- Check and replace wheel cylinder and bleed brakes, per IOM instructions
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Seized wheel cylinder piston
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- Check and rebuild/replace wheel cylinder and bleed system, per IOM.
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Foreign material in brake unit
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Low hydraulic fluid level
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- Fill and bleed brakes, per IOM instructions.
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A bent shoulder bolt
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A bent push rod in the shock absorber
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A damaged socket assembly
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Broken/pinched brake lines
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Brake actuator frame damaged
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Worn brake shoe(s)
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Towing Vehicle Shaking Back and Forth
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CONDITION
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SOLUTION
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Worn vehicle suspension
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Hitch not secure
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- Tighten all bolts and nuts
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Under-sized hitch ball
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- Ball should be 2" machined/forged type
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Adjusting 7" & 10" Brakes
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Trailer brakes should be adjusted after the first 1,000 miles of use and at least
every 2,000 miles of use thereafter. in addition, trailer brakes should also be
inspected for excessive wear, replace lining if necessary and adjusted at the
beginning of each season or yearly. Wheel bearings and seals should be
inspected and packed at this time.
Raise one trailer wheel at a time, chock opposite wheel to prevent trailer from
rolling. Remove dust clip from adjusting slot at lower part of back side of brake
assembly and insert brake adjusting tool. Adjust brake shoes out until wheels
will not turn by moving end of adjusting tool toward top of brake. When this
condition is felt, by rotating wheel, back-off (loosening) adjustment until wheel
will just turn freely.
7? single axle 10 notches
7? tandem axle 5 notches
10? single axle8/10 notches
10? tandem axle4/5 notches
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Bleeding the Brake System
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• Bleeding the brake system at the actuator using a power bleeder or a
manual rod/hitch ball bleeder.
• On single axle trailers, bleed the brake that is furthest from the main
hydraulic line first. This means that you would bleed brake 3 first on a
single axle trailer and brake 1 first on a dual axle trailer with brakes on
both axles.
• Use DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid.
• Synthetic silicone based brake fluid is not recommended. It has low water
tolerance and decreases braking performance.
Check: • all hydraulic fittings are secure
• fill and bleed brake system as follows:
1. Remove master cylinder filler cap and fill reservoir with DOT type 3 or
4 automotive brake fluid.
2. Check all hydraulic line fittings & connections to make sure they are leak
free.
3. At brake assembly, connect a bleeder hose to bleeder fitting on wheel
cylinder and submerge free end in a container with brake fluid. DO NOT
reuse brake fluid.
NOTE: Use power bleeder or bar with 2? diameter hitch ball attached (FIG 9).
Do not use breakaway cable for purpose of bleeding brake system. If a
power bleeder is used air pressure 35 PSI is most effective.
NOTE: Bleed brakes on rear most axle furthest from the actuator first.
4. Loosen bleeder fitting at top of brake assembly.
5. Apply actuator (see FIG 9) and tighten bleeder fitting. Return actuator to
forward position. Again, loosen bleeder valve one turn and apply
actuator. Repeat this procedure until fluid expelled from bleeder hose is
free of air bubbles. It is helpful to lower the trailer tongue to promote
air bubble movement in the brake tubing. It is also helpful to tap gently
along the brake tubing during brake bleeding to keep air bubbles from
sticking to the inside of the brake tubing. During this procedure,
master cylinder reservoir fluid level must be maintained at no less than
1/2 full and no more than 1/2? from top of reservoir.
6. When no air bubbles are visible, close bleeder valve securely and
remove bleeder hose.
7. Repeat STEP 1-6 for remaining brake, then brakes on forward axle.
8. If installation is tandem axle with brakes on both axle, repeat bleeding
procedure on rear axle brakes for second time to assure positive
purging of all air in system.
9. After bleeding has been completed, re-check fluid level in master
cylinder.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT use brake fluid drained from brake system in refilling
master cylinder. Brake fluid can be contaminated from the system. |
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* indicates NOT covered under warranty
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