Automatic Slack Adjuster, Gunite 42.

11
General Information

General Information slack adjuster. The bottom of the slack adjuster is

The Gunite automatic slack adjuster (Fig. 1) has two
main functions:
• As a lever it converts the straight-line force of
the brake chamber push rod to torque on the
brake camshaft. Rotation of the camshaft
forces the brake shoes against the drum.
4
5 rod. The automatic slack adjuster adjusts the brakes
6
splined to the brake camshaft. The splines hold the
slack adjuster internal gear to the camshaft, so the
camshaft turns when the slack adjuster moves.
When the brakes are applied, the brake chamber
push rod moves outward forcing the slack adjuster
and camshaft to rotate. This movement forces the
brake shoes against the drum.
The brakes are adjusted when the slack adjuster
senses an increase in the lining-to-drum clearance.
The slack adjuster’s internal worm shaft and ratchet
shorten excessive lining-to-drum clearance. This pro-
vides maximum leverage for the brake chamber push
at the beginning of the brake application.

7
3
8

2 9

10

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1. 7/16-Inch Adjusting 6. Clevis
Hexnut 7. 1/2-Inch Clevis Pin
2. Grease Fitting 8. 1/4-Inch Clevis Pin
3. Boot 9. Grease Relief
4. Link Opening
5. Brake Chamber 10. Slack Adjuster Spline
Push Rod

Fig. 1, Gunite Slack Adjuster

• As an automatic slack adjuster, it maintains the

lining-to-drum clearance needed for proper
brake chamber push rod stroke.
The slack adjuster is installed between the brake
chamber push rod and the brake camshaft. A clevis
is either welded to the brake chamber push rod or
screwed on. The clevis is connected to the top of the

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Automatic Slack Adjuster, Gunite 42.11
Slack Adjuster Removal and Installation

IMPORTANT: This automatic slack adjuster can-

not be rebuilt. If it is damaged or inoperative,
replace the unit.
Each factory-installed brake chamber has a clevis
welded onto the pushrod. See Fig. 1. On a replace- 1 2
ment brake chamber, the clevis is threaded onto the 3
pushrod, and has a jam nut installed. See Fig. 2. 4

1
2 6

3
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1. Brake Chamber Pushrod (threaded)
2. Jam Nut
4 3. Threaded Clevis
4. Cotter Pins and Clevis Pins
5. Link
6. Adjusting Hexnut

Fig. 2, Slack Adjuster (attached to threaded clevis)

09/14/2001
1. Brake Chamber Pushrod and Clevis Assembly
2. Cotter Pins and Clevis Pins
3. Link
4. Adjusting Hexnut
Fig. 1, Slack Adjuster (attached to welded clevis)
Removal
1. With the vehicle parked on a level surface, chock
the tires. If you are removing a rear slack ad-
juster, cage the parking brake power spring. For
instructions, refer to the applicable brake cham-
ber section in this group.
2. Remove the cotter pins and clevis pins.
3. Rotate the adjusting hexnut counterclockwise
until the slack adjuster clears the clevis.
4. Remove the snap ring from the brake camshaft,
then slide the slack adjuster off the camshaft.
f430273
Installation
NOTE: For brake chambers that have pushrods
with threaded clevises, measure the pushrod
length before installing the new slack adjuster.
With the brakes fully released, and no air pres-
sure to the chamber, check the dimension be-
tween the chamber face and the centerline of
the 1/2 inch clevis pin hole. It should be 2.25
inches (57 mm) for long stroke chambers, and
2.75 inches (70 mm) for standard stroke cham-
bers.
1. Coat the camshaft splines, and the splines of the
slack adjuster gear with an anticorrosion grease.
2. Using the old snap ring, install the automatic
slack adjuster on the brake camshaft.
3. Turn the adjusting hexnut clockwise to rotate the
slack adjuster toward the brake chamber until the
holes line up.

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42.11
Slack Adjuster Removal and Installation
4. Install the clevis pins and cotter pins.
WARNING
Manually adjusting an automatic slack adjuster to
bring the pushrod stroke within legal limits is
likely masking a mechanical problem. Adjustment
is not repairing. Before adjusting an automatic
slack adjuster, troubleshoot the foundation brake
system and inspect it for worn or damaged com-
ponents. Improperly maintaining the vehicle brak-
ing system may lead to brake failure, resulting in
property damage, personal injury, or death.
5. If the pushrod has a threaded clevis, use the
gauge supplied with the new slack adjuster to
check the adjustment of the clevis, as follows.
See Fig. 3.
A large clevis pin. See Fig. 4.
1 7.3
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A. Adjust the clevis in or out to position the 1/4-inch
clevis pin within the notched area of the gauge.
1. Installation Gauge
Fig. 3, Checking the Clevis Adjustment
5.1 Position the 1/2-inch hole in the gauge
over the end of the 1/2-inch clevis pin.
5.2 Align the applicable 1/4-inch hole in the
bottom of the gauge over the center of the
camshaft.
100/2
Automatic Slack Adjuster, Gunite
5.3 Check that the 1/4-inch pin is visible in the
notched area of the gauge. If the pin is
not in the right location, back off the slack
adjuster and readjust the pushrod length,
then repeat this step.
NOTE: Make sure there is clearance between
the slack adjuster and other vehicle components
when the brakes are applied and the pushrod
travels its maximum stroke.
6. Set the initial free-stroke, as follows.
6.1 Turn the adjusting hexnut clockwise until
the brake linings contact the drum.
6.2 Turn the adjusting hexnut counterclock-
wise one-half turn. There should be about
30 lbf·ft (41 N·m) resistance, and a ratch-
eting sound will be heard.
7. Measure the brake chamber applied stroke, as
follows.
7.1 With the brakes fully released, use a ruler
to measure the distance from the bottom
of the brake chamber to the center of the
7.2 Build air pressure to at least 85 psi (586
kPa). Apply the brakes, then measure the
distance from the bottom of the brake
chamber to the center of the large clevis
pin. See Fig. 4. The difference between
the measurements is the brake chamber
stroke.
The brake chamber stroke must be within
the range shown in Table 1. If it is not,
check the foundation brakes for problems
such as worn cams, bushings, pins and
rollers, or broken springs. Repair or re-
place as needed. For instructions, refer to
the applicable brake section in this group.
Then, repeat the two previous steps.
8. If a rear axle slack adjuster was installed, manu-
ally uncage the parking brake. Refer to the appli-
cable brake chamber section in this group for
instructions.
9. Apply the parking brakes.
10. Remove the chocks from the tires.
11. In a safe area, check for proper brake operation,
as follows.
Business Class M2 Workshop Manual, Supplement 14, September 2008
Automatic Slack Adjuster, Gunite 42.11
Slack Adjuster Removal and Installation

11.2 Perform six low-speed stops to ensure

B correct parts replacement and full vehicle
A control.
11.3 Immediately after doing the above stops,
check the drum temperatures. Any drums
that are significantly cooler than the others
show a lack of braking effort on those
wheels.

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A. Brakes Released B. Brakes Applied

Fig. 4, Brake Stroke Measurements

11.1 Apply and release the brakes several

times to check for correct operation of the
slack adjusters.

Brake Chamber Stroke Specifications

Maximum Applied Stroke*: Free-Stroke: inch (mm)
Chamber Type (Size)
inch (mm) New Brake Installation In-Service Brake
Long Stroke†
16 and 20 2-1/2 (64) 5/8 to 3/4 (16 to 19) 1/2 to 5/8 (13 to 16)
24 and 30 3 (76)
* Specifications are relative to a brake application with 80–90 psi (550–620 kPa) air pressure in the brake chambers.
† Long stroke design is indicated by a tag, or embossing, on the brake chamber.

Table 1, Brake Chamber Stroke Specifications

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Automatic Slack Adjuster, Gunite 42.11
Specifications

Lubricant Type Temperature

Lubriplate Aero Above –40°F (–40°C)
Texaco Multifak EP–2
Above –20°F (–29°C)
Mobil Grease 77
Table 1, Approved Lubricants

Standard Clamp Type Brake Chamber Data

Outside
Rated Stroke: Maximum Stroke at Which Brakes Must
Type Diameter:
inches (cm) be Readjusted: inches (cm)
inches (cm)
9 5-1/4 (13.3) 1.75 (4.5) 1 3/8 (3.5)
12 5 11/16 (14.4) 1.75 (4.5) 1 3/8 (3.5)
16 6 3/8 (16) 2.25 (5.7) 1 3/4 (4.5)
20 6 25/32 (17) 2.25 (5.7) 1 3/4 (4.5)
24 7 7/32 (18.3) 2.25 (5.7) 1 3/4 (4.5)
30 8 3/32 (20.5) 2.50 (6.35) 2 (5)
36* 9 (22.8) 3.00 (7.6) 2 1/4 (5.7)
* If type 36 chamber is used, slack length should be less than 6 inches.

Table 2, Standard Clamp Type Brake Chamber Data

Long Stroke Clamp Type Brake Chamber Data

Outside Rated
Maximum Stroke at Which Brakes Must
Type Diameter: Stroke:
be Readjusted: inches (cm)
inches (cm) inches (cm)
16 6 3/8 (16) 2.50 (6.35) 2 (5)
20 6 25/32 (17) 2.50 (6.35) 2 (5)
24 7 7/32 (18.3) 2.50 (6.35) 2 (5)
24* 7 7/32 (18.3) 3.00 (7.6) 2 1/2 (6.35)
30* 8 3/32 (20.5) 3.00 (7.6) 2 1/2 (6.35)
* Identified by square air port bosses.

Table 3, Long Stroke Clamp Type Brake Chamber Data

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