| Metro Trailer Sales MAINTENANCE |
| IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON TOWING
EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE |
| Suspension Axle Service |
BEFORE STORAGE
- 1. Store breakaway battery inside, out of the weather and disconnect the terminals.
- 2. Park trailer in level position using jacks as required.
- 3. Lubricate hitch and moving suspension parts.
- 4. Hub components that have been immersed in water during use must be cleaned,
dried, and repacked.
|
AFTER STORAGE
- 1. Remove hub or hub and drum.
- 2. Protect bearing from contamination and remove any rust from the armature and
brake surface with emery cloth.
- 3. Check brake linings, magnets and drums for excessive wear. Repair or replace as
necessary.
- 4. Check magnets for 3.2 OHM reading.
- 5. Remove. clean and relubricate bearings.
- 6. Inspect seals and replace if necessary.
- 7. Install bearings, seals and drums following bearing adjustment procedure.
- 8. Install wheels and torque to appropriate specification.
|
| GENERAL MAINTENANCE FOR BRAKES & HUBS |
| The best brake system is only as good as the way you use it. Your
vehicle's brakes were designed to stop it in a safe effective manner, just
as your trailer brakes were. Neither will replace the other.
When one does the stopping for both, the overload causes heat
which increases the wear of brake linings. The overload will also cause
brake fade, a direct loss of braking power. Jack-knifing can occur if the
tow vehicle's brakes are used alone, allowing the trailer to push the
vehicle.
Proper brake synchronization is obtained when the trailer brakes
have a slight lead over the tow vehicle's brakes. After this adjustment,
there should be no sensation of the trailer pushing the vehicle, nor
should there be an excessive sensation of the trailer pulling the vehicle
during a stop. |
| Brake Adjustment Procedure |
| Jack trailer up until wheel rotates freely.
Secure the trailer with jack stands.
Locate the adjusting slot in the backing plate and remove the protective
plug.
With a standard adjusting tool or screw driver, rotate the star wheel until
the brake drag makes it difficult for the wheel to turn.
The star wheel must now be turned the opposite direction to allow the
wheel to turn 3/4 to 1 revolution freely, when spun.
Replace the protective plug.
Lower trailer. |
| Wheel Bearings **Adjust after 50 miles** |
| Every time the wheel hub is removed, the wheel bearings must be
adjusted. Turn the hub slowly to seat the bearings while tightening the
spindle nut until the hub will no longer turn. Loosen spindle nut so it may
be turned by hand. Tighten nut finger tight then loosen to first hub slot
allowing alignment. Install cotter pin.
NOTE: Do not move hub during this step.
The spindle nut and hub 'Should be free to move with the cotter pin being
the only restraint. ' |
| Brake Lining |
| Inspect the lining for wear or contamination from oil or grease.
If the lining is worn to within 1/32" of the rivet or to a minimum thickness
of 1/16" on bonded linings, shows irregular wear, or contamination from
a foreign substance, the shoes should be replaced with original parts.
NOTE: Brake shoes should always be replaced in pairs, both brakes on
the same axle.
In order to maintain the safe reliable stopping power of your braking
system, it is recommended to service the running gear at the regular
intervals shown. |
|
| Service Schedule |
| Check |
Function Required |
Daily |
Weekly |
Every 3000 Miles or
3 Months |
Every 6000 Miles or
6 Months |
| Brakes |
Test for Proper Function |
 |
|
|
|
| Air Pressure |
Inflate Tires to Specifications |
|
|
|
|
| * Lugs Bolts or Nuts |
Tighten to Proper Torque Specs. |
|
|
|
|
| Break-away Switch |
Test Switch Operations, Inspect Connections |
|
|
|
|
| Break-away Battery |
Maintain Charge, Inspect Connections |
|
|
|
|
| Wheel Rims |
Inspect for Dents, Damage, or Out of Round |
|
|
|
|
| ** Brake Shoes |
Test Brake Drag and Adjust if Required |
|
|
|
|
| Brake Magnets |
Inspect for Uneven Wear |
|
|
|
|
| *** Wheel Bearings and Cups |
Inspect for Wear or Damage and Repack |
|
|
|
|
| Hub/Drum |
Inspect for Heavy Scoring of Wear |
|
|
|
|
| Seals |
Inspect for Damage or Wear |
|
|
|
|
| * |
Tighten wheel bolts or nuts every 50 miles for the first 200 miles and after every change in wheel mounting. (Torque to 85-95 ft.-lbs.) |
| ** |
Adjust brakes after first 200 miles, then at above intervals. |
| *** |
Prepare bearings by cleaning with solvent to remove old grease. Repack by pressing fresh bearing grease into bearing roller area. Repack bearings more often if subject to extremely wet conditions. If trailer has not been used for more than 2 months, bearings should be inspected and repacked if necessary. |
| |
Repack bearings using a high temperature, automotive type, wheel bearing grease produced by a reputable manufacturer. The soap type should be polyurea, lithium complex or equivalent. Use an NLGI Grade 2 product with a minimum dropping point of 440ºF. |
