Converting our Wedge brakes to Cam brakes???

[coachgeo]

Not sure it can be done.. figured it would be worth starting the conversation.

here is very old similar conversation on939 trucks w/ different meritor axle but similar wedge brakes

932 series wedge brake to "S" cam conversion

900 series wedge brake to "S" cam conversion Good Day All, I am wondering if anyone knows of an S cam spider and backing plate, that one could use in place of the wedge arrangement on the 5 tons. I have never been a wedge brake fan. I realize that this could also pose a problem with drum and...

www.steelsoldiers.com

 

[Lugnuts]

CoachGeo, doesn't look like it got back to. Vintage Iron's post sounded like he knew it could be done. Is he still an active member. I am not as critical as I used to be about wedge brakes as long as the adjuster stay working. According to my vendors and what I read they discontinued wedge brakes in the early 80's but here we are in the end of the 90's and I guess they cleaned out all their old inventory on us the tax payer. Did the same thing in the 2000s with some Aircraft Rescue Trucks. Pearce bullt a mess of them with Detroit 2 cycles, I think they were 892's or 1292's. I personally saw those at the Bradenton, FL plant.
As far as modifications to brakes are being spoken about, has anyone put them on the flanges at the transfer case or or on the driveline in some way. Eventually the parts are going to run dry

 

[simp5782]

CoachGeo, doesn't look like it got back to. Vintage Iron's post sounded like he knew it could be done. Is he still an active member. I am not as critical as I used to be about wedge brakes as long as the adjuster stay working. According to my vendors and what I read they discontinued wedge brakes in the early 80's but here we are in the end of the 90's and I guess they cleaned out all their old inventory on us the tax payer. Did the same thing in the 2000s with some Aircraft Rescue Trucks. Pearce bullt a mess of them with Detroit 2 cycles, I think they were 892's or 1292's. I personally saw those at the Bradenton, FL plant.
As far as modifications to brakes are being spoken about, has anyone put them on the flanges at the transfer case or or on the driveline in some way. Eventually the parts are going to run dry

You aren't going to stop the truck with a driveline brake. It'll break it apart.

Parts won't run dry for LMTVs. They will slowly seep out as they are phased out of service. This happened with the 5 tons. Euclid makes most brake parts you need.

You simply need to contact meritor with the brake spider number and get all applicable units with the same housing bolt pattern for S cam.

Wedge brakes work more effectively than S cam and use less air. Both shoes on the wedge setups are leading vs an S cam has a leading and trailing brake.

There is more maintenance involved with wedge systems especially if you don't maintain them or use them. Wedge brakes were preferred usage on offroad trucks do to their limited exposure to the elements. And not an S cam full of mud or rocks between the cam and the axle or in the backing plate.

 

[Lugnuts]

You aren't going to stop the truck with a driveline brake. It'll break it apart.

Parts won't run dry for LMTVs. They will slowly seep out as they are phased out of service. This happened with the 5 tons. Euclid makes most brake parts you need.

You simply need to contact meritor with the brake spider number and get all applicable units with the same housing bolt pattern for S cam.

Wedge brakes work more effectively than S cam and use less air. Both shoes on the wedge setups are leading vs an S cam has a leading and trailing brake.

There is more maintenance involved with wedge systems especially if you don't maintain them or use them. Wedge brakes were preferred usage on offroad trucks do to their limited exposure to the elements. And not an S cam full of mud or rocks between the cam and the axle or in the backing plate.

Not disagreeing with you but why did then the commercial industry quit using wedge brakes?
If the commercial side isn't using them it certainly won't me profitable for them to keep making them unless you have someplace that is using the trucks commercially. Kinda like Korea using M35's. A lot of parts now come from them.
Then the question of modifications - anything is possible and I was following up on CoachGeo's question, Did it go anywhere and can it be done?

 

[simp5782]

Not disagreeing with you but why did then the commercial industry quit using wedge brakes?
If the commercial side isn't using them it certainly won't me profitable for them to keep making them unless you have someplace that is using the trucks commercially. Kinda like Korea using M35's. A lot of parts now come from them.
Then the question of modifications - anything is possible and I was following up on CoachGeo's question, Did it go anywhere and can it be done?

I stated why. They are more maintenance with rubber diaphragms to be replaced over just replacing a 30/30 chamber.

You can still get trucks with wedge brakes new from the factory. Lots of 6x6 commercial trucks still use wedge on the steering axle for clearance purposes

 

[Lugnuts]

I stated why. They are more maintenance with rubber diaphragms to be replaced over just replacing a 30/30 chamber.

You can still get trucks with wedge brakes new from the factory. Lots of 6x6 commercial trucks still use wedge on the steering axle for clearance purposes

Thank you for the information. I didn't know new trucks could be had with wedge brakes. Lugnuts

 

[simp5782]

Thank you for the information. I didn't know new trucks could be had with wedge brakes. Lugnuts

Old old article

Wedge Brakes on Trucks Have Many Advantages - Fire Engineering: Firefighter Training and Fire Service News, Rescue

In our column last month we briefly discussed brakes, hydraulic and air-actuated, as related to specifications for low maintenance, braking balance and operating safety. We will not spend time discussing the standard emergency brake, which is actually no more than a parking brake in most trucks.

www.fireengineering.com