Weld Repair Procedure
Trailer Axles

Drum Brake Trailer Axles
Bottom Plate Axle Connection Weld Repair

Introduction

1. General Safety Instructions

This manual provides the information necessary for the
bottom plate axle connection weld repair on SAF® trailer
axles equipped with drum brakes.

 Read

and observe all Warning and Caution hazard alert
messages. The alerts provide information that can help prevent
serious personal injury, damage to components, or both.
Failure to follow the instructions and safety
precautions in this manual could result in
improper servicing or operation leading to
component failure which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.

NOTE: SAF® Service Manual for Drum Brake Axles,
XL-TA10006OM-en-US MUST be obtained prior
to repairing the axle.
The Service Manual for Drum Brake Axles contains information
about removal, installation and verification that the unit can be
returned to service which is needed throughout the following
procedures. The service manual is available on the internet at
www.safholland.us or by contacting Customer Service at 888-396-6501.
When replacement parts are required, use only SAF-HOLLAND®
Original Parts. A list of technical support locations that supply
SAF-HOLLAND® Original Parts and an Aftermarket Parts Catalog
are available on the internet at www.safholland.us or contact
Customer Service at 888-396-6501.

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
Before starting any work on the unit, read and understand all
the safety procedures presented in this manual. This manual
contains the terms “NOTE”, “IMPORTANT”, “CAUTION”, and
“WARNING” followed by important product information. These
terms are defined as follows:
NOTE: Includes additional information to enable accurate
and easy performance of procedures.

 All

maintenance should be performed by a properly trained
technician using proper/special tools, and safe procedures.

NOTE: In the United States, workshop safety requirements
are defined by federal and/or state Occupational
Safety and Health Act (OSHA). Equivalent laws may
exist in other countries. This manual is written based
on the assumption that OSHA or other applicable
employee safety regulations are followed by the
location where work is performed.
 After

re-positioning the brake chamber, slack adjuster and/or
ABS system as instructed in this manual, ALWAYS consult
the manufacturer’s manual for proper operation.

IMPORTANT: Key components on each axle system
including but not limited to suspension,
slack adjuster, brake chambers, bearings,
hubs, and drums require information
supplied by the original manufacturer of
the components to ensure proper and safe
operation of the axle system.

IMPORTANT: Includes additional information that
if not followed could lead to hindered
product performance.
Used without the safety alert symbol,
indicates a potentially hazardous
situation which, if not avoided, could
result in property damage.
Indicates a potentially hazardous
situation which, if not avoided, could
result in minor or moderate injury.
Indicates a potentially hazardous
situation which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.

Failure to follow the original manufacturer’s
instructions regarding spring brake or air
pressure control may allow an uncontrolled
release of energy which could result in
death or serious injury.
 Service

both roadside and curbside of an axle. Worn parts
should be replaced in sets. Key components on each axle’s
braking system, such as friction material, rotors and drums
will normally wear over time.

 The

wheel contact surfaces between the wheel and hub
MUST NOT receive additional paint.

XL-TA20018RM-en-US · 2015-10-16 · Amendments and Errors Reserved · © SAF-HOLLAND, Inc., SAF-HOLLAND, HOLLAND, SAF, and
logos are trademarks of SAF-HOLLAND S.A., SAF-HOLLAND GmbH, and SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.

Model Identification
2. Allowable Axle Repairs

Figure 1

SAF® axle repair is limited to the bottom plate axle connection
weld repair on drum brake axles where welds on the axle clamp
group are found to be missing. If any damage, including bending,
dents or cracks, is evident on the SAF® axle tube, DO NOT
repair the axle. Remove and replace the entire axle.

SERIAL NUMBER TAG LOCATED
NEAR CENTER OF AXLE TUBE

Failure to replace a damaged SAF® axle
tube could result in reduced strength in
the axle tube which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.

3. Model Identification
Service manuals and repair part information for the SAF® axle
and suspension can be located by the suspension model number
on the internet at www.safholland.us.
The axle serial number tag is located near the center of the
axle tube (Figure 1).
If the serial number tag can not be located or repair and
service information obtained from the internet, contact
customer service at 888-396-6501.

2

XL-TA20018RM-en-US · 2015-10-16 · Amendments and Errors Reserved · © SAF-HOLLAND, Inc., SAF-HOLLAND, HOLLAND, SAF,
and logos are trademarks of SAF-HOLLAND S.A., SAF-HOLLAND GmbH, and SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.

Identification Tag
4. Identification Tag
The sample tags shown will help interpret the information on
the SAF-HOLLAND®, Inc. serial number tag. The tags, which
may vary, contain the part number, axle beam rating, and serial
number. (Figures 2)
Record the tag numbers below for future quick reference.
Axle Number:

Figure 2

SAF-HOLLAND USA, INC.
Axle Assembly
xxxxxxxxxxxx
Axle Beam Rating: XX,XXX lbs

Axle Rating:
Serial Number:

Made in China
US and Foreign Pattents Apply

Serial No. (s)
xx xx xxx xxxx

In Service Date:

XL-TA20018RM-en-US · 2015-10-16 · Amendments and Errors Reserved · © SAF-HOLLAND, Inc., SAF-HOLLAND, HOLLAND, SAF,
and logos are trademarks of SAF-HOLLAND S.A., SAF-HOLLAND GmbH, and SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.

3

Welding Standards
5. Bottom Plate Welding
5.1 Operator

5.4 Procedures

Axle assembly repair welding is to be performed by welders
who are certified in accordance with American Welding
Society (AWS) D1.1.

Tack welds used in positioning a bracket are to be located
in the center area of the final weld where practical. The tack
should be completely fused into the finished weld.

5.2 Component Conditions

1/4" (6 mm) fillet welds are to be used in the attachment of
bottom plate.

The area on the axle to be repaired MUST be at least 60° F
(15° C) before any weld repair is performed.
The axle and the weld area to be repaired MUST be clean and
free from any paint, corrosion, moisture, oil, grease, or debris.

5.3 Weld Parameters
All SAF-HOLLAND® axle repair welds are to be with AWS filler metal
specification AWS A5.28, filler metal classification ER-90S-D2.
NOTE: Any substitutions for filler metals from the
standard above must comply with the following
mechanical properties, at a minimum:
Tensile Strength - 90 KSI (620 Mpa)
Yield Strength - 78 KSI (540 Mpa)
Charpy V notch - 20 ft/lbs (27 N•m) @ 0°F (-18°C)
% Elongation - 17%
The recommended welding gas for gas metal arc welding
(GMAW) is 90% Argon / 10% CO2.

4

IMPORTANT: DO NOT break the arc at the end of the
weld. Back up all finish welds at least 1/2"
(12 mm), or a sufficient amount for the
prevention of craters at the end of the weld.
No undercut is allowed on the axle tube.
The maximum depth of undercut on the bottom plate shall be
no greater than 1/32" (0.8 mm).
IMPORTANT: DO NOT attach the welding ground cable
such that wheel bearings are between the
ground cable and the area to be welded.
This will result in a large electrical current
passing through the wheel bearings,
potentially damaging them.
Failure to prevent damaging a wheel
bearing by weld current could result in a
wheel end failure which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.

XL-TA20018RM-en-US · 2015-10-16 · Amendments and Errors Reserved · © SAF-HOLLAND, Inc., SAF-HOLLAND, HOLLAND, SAF,
and logos are trademarks of SAF-HOLLAND S.A., SAF-HOLLAND GmbH, and SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.

Weld Repair Instructions
6. Weld Repair

Figure 3

Make sure both the bottom plate and axle tube are clean and
free from all moisture, scale, paint, grease, and oil.

1-1/2"
(38 mm)
NO WELD

Apply any missing welds to bottom plate (Figure 3) with
1/4" (6 mm) fillet welds. Make sure to fuse the new weld and
existing weld ends together.

1-1/2"
(38 mm)
NO WELD

CONTACT AREA

XX

XX
X

XX

X
XX

XX

XX

XX

Clean and paint/undercoat the welded area and any adjacent
area where paint was removed to facilitate weld repair.

XXXXX
X

XX
XXXX

XXXXX

XXX XX

XXX

XXX

XX

XX

2-3/4"
(70 mm)
NO WELD

2-3/4"
(70 mm)
NO WELD
CONTACT AREA

1"
(25 mm)

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

1
4

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXX

XXX

1/2" TYP
(13 mm)

XXX

XXXX

XXX

XXXX

XXX

XXXX

TYP

1/2" TYP
(13 mm)

XL-TA20018RM-en-US · 2015-10-16 · Amendments and Errors Reserved · © SAF-HOLLAND, Inc., SAF-HOLLAND, HOLLAND, SAF,
and logos are trademarks of SAF-HOLLAND S.A., SAF-HOLLAND GmbH, and SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.

5

SAF-HOLLAND Original Parts are the same quality components used in
the original component assembly.
SAF-HOLLAND Original Parts are tested and designed to provide
maximum performance and durability. Will-fits, look-alikes or, worse
yet, counterfeit parts will only limit the performance potential and
could possibly void SAF-HOLLAND’s warranty. Always be sure to spec
SAF-HOLLAND Original Parts when servicing your
SAF-HOLLAND product.

SAF-HOLLAND USA

·

888.396.6501

·

Fax 800.356.3929

www.safholland.us

·
·

SAF-HOLLAND CANADA
WESTERN CANADA

519.537.3494
604.574.7491

·
·

Fax 800.565.7753
Fax 604.574.0244

www.safholland.ca

SAF-HOLLAND MEXICO
www.safholland.com.mx

[email protected]

SAF-HOLLAND USA, INC.
1950 Industrial Blvd., Muskegon, MI 49442
www.safholland.com

·

52.55.5362.8743

·

Fax 52.55.5362.8743

XL-TA20018RM-en-US · 2015-10-16 · Amendments and Errors Reserved · © SAF-HOLLAND, Inc., SAF-HOLLAND, HOLLAND, SAF, and logos are trademarks of SAF-HOLLAND S.A., SAF-HOLLAND GmbH, and SAF-HOLLAND, Inc.

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