If there is binding, or if more than 25 lbf·in (280 N·cm) is needed to turn the slack adjuster, replace
it. For instructions, see the applicable slack adjuster section in this group.

IMPORTANT: If any slack adjuster problem is found, repair or replace the unit, depending on the
manufacturer’s recommendations.
NOTE: The brake chamber can remain connected to the vehicle if is passes inspection.
10. Remove the brake chamber stud nuts and lockwashers that attach the brake chamber to the camshaft-andchamber bracket.
Check the chamber for a cracked housing, bent pushrod, loose clamp ring, loose air fitting, air leaks, or
clogged vent holes. Repair or replace brake chamber parts as needed.
11. Remove the whole brake package.
12. Remove the brake spider from the axle flange.
13. If equipped, remove the four capscrews that attach the dust shield to the brake spider; remove the dust
shield.

Freightliner Service Bulletin, 01/08/2019

Page 5

42-077
Freightliner
Service Bulletin

Steer Axle Brake Chatter
FLA COE
FLB COE
FLD Conventional
Business Class
FLC 112 Conventional

Century Class Conventional
Argosy COE
Cargo
Columbia
122SD and Coronado

Business Class M2
Cascadia
108SD/114SD
> New Cascadia

Cleaning
WARNING
Before starting the procedure below, read the information in the General Safety Precautions. Failure to
be aware of the dangers of brake lining dust exposure could result in serious and permanent health
damage.

NOTICE
Do not clean ground or polished metal parts in a hot solution tank or with water, steam, or alkaline
solutions. These solutions will cause parts to corrode.

NOTE: For corrosion protection, do not apply brake grease or corrosion-preventive materials to the
brake linings or the brake drum.
After removing the brake parts being serviced, do the following:
1. Wire brush all parts exposed to mud, road dirt, and salt, including the exterior of the drum and dust shields
(if equipped).

NOTICE
A thick layer of oxidation and dirt on the outside of a brake drum acts as an insulator and may hinder
normal heat dissipation. Make sure oxidation and dirt are removed by wire brushing, or damage to
brake components could occur.
2. Using an industrial vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter system, remove any dust accumulation from the
brake parts that are being reused.
3. Wipe the interior of the drums with a damp rag to remove lining dust.
4. Prepare the brake parts for assembly, as follows.
4.1

Thoroughly clean all the brake parts.
For ground or polished metal parts, use a cleaning solvent to clean the parts and surfaces that are
ground or polished.
For rough metal parts, use a cleaning solvent or a weak alkaline solution in a hot solution tank to
clean the parts. If a hot solution tank is used, leave the rough parts in the hot solution tank until they
are completely cleaned and heated. Remove the rough parts from the hot solution tank and wash
them with water until the alkaline solution is removed.

4.2

Thoroughly dry all the brake parts with either compressed air or a clean soft cloth or paper towel.

WARNING
All worn or damaged brake parts must be replaced. If the brakes are assembled with worn or damaged
parts, they may not perform to their capacity and a brake failure could occur, which could cause
personal injury and property damage.
4.3

Page 6

Thoroughly inspect all the brake parts for wear or damage. It is very important that all the parts be
carefully inspected before they are assembled. Repair or replace any worn or damaged parts.

Freightliner Service Bulletin, 01/08/2019

42-077

Steer Axle Brake Chatter
FLA COE
FLB COE
FLD Conventional
Business Class
FLC 112 Conventional

4.4

Century Class Conventional
Argosy COE
Cargo
Columbia
122SD and Coronado

Freightliner
Service Bulletin

Business Class M2
Cascadia
108SD/114SD
> New Cascadia

For parts that will be assembled, apply a thin layer of brake grease to the parts after they have been
cleaned, dried, and inspected to protect them from corrosion.
If the parts will be stored, apply a special material that prevents corrosion and rust on all surfaces.
The parts should be stored in special paper (or other material) that prevents corrosion and rust.

Assembly
WARNING
Before starting the assembly procedure, read the information in the General Safety Precautions. Failure
to be aware of the dangers of brake lining dust exposure could result in serious and permanent health
damage.
1. Install the dust shield, if equipped. See Fig. 1.
Position the dust shield against the brake spider and install the capscrews. Tighten the capscrews to the
specifications in Table 1.
Dust Shield, Spider, and Bracket Torque Specifications
Fastener
Torque Specification
Size
Grade
lbf·ft
N·m
Dust Shield Fasteners
5/16–18
5
15–20
20–27
3/8–16
5
25–35
34–47
3/8–16
8
35–50
47–68
Brake Spider Fasteners
7/16–20
—
60–75
81–102
1/2–20
—
85–115
115–156
9/16–18
—
135–165
183–224
5/8–18
—
180–230
244–312
3/4–16
—
237–301
321–408
Camshaft-and-Chamber Bracket Fasteners
1/2–13 Capscrew (without nut)
5
65–85
88–115
1/2–13 Capscrew (without nut)
8
70–100
95–136
5/8–18 Bolt with Locknut
—
130–165
176–224
5/8–18 Bolt with Plain Hexnut
—
150–190
203–258
Table 1, Dust Shield, Spider, and Bracket Torque Specifications

2. Install the brake package.
3. Apply a thin film of rust-preventive grease on the camshaft splines. For the recommended grease
specification, see Table 2.

Specification Number
O-616-A

NLGI Grade
1

Freightliner Service Bulletin, 01/08/2019

Meritor Grease Specification
Grease Type
Clay Base

Outside Temperature: °F (°C)
Down to –40 (–40)

Page 7

42-077

Steer Axle Brake Chatter

Freightliner
Service Bulletin

FLA COE
FLB COE
FLD Conventional
Business Class
FLC 112 Conventional

Specification Number
O-617-A

NLGI Grade
1 and 2

O-617-B
O-645
O-692
O-637
O-641
O-695

2
1 and 2
1 and 2
—
2

Century Class Conventional
Argosy COE
Cargo
Columbia
122SD and Coronado

Business Class M2
Cascadia
108SD/114SD
> New Cascadia

Meritor Grease Specification
Grease Type
Lithium 12-Hydroxy Stearate or
Lithium Complex

Outside Temperature: °F (°C)
See Manufacturer’s Specification

Synthetic Oil, Clay Base
Lithium Base
Calcium Base
Anti-Seize
Synthetic Polyurea

Down to –65 (–54)
Down to –40 (–40)
See Manufacturer’s Specification
See Manufacturer’s Specification
–40 (–40)

Table 2, Meritor Grease Specification

4. Place the brake spider on the axle flange. Install the mounting fasteners with hardened washers under the
bolt head and nut. Tighten the nuts to the specifications in Table 1 in a cross pattern. See Fig. 5.

11/10/2016

f421673

Fig. 5, Tightening the Brake Spider Fasteners

NOTE: If replacing a brake chamber, make sure that the new chamber is the same size and make as
the brake chamber on the other side of the axle.
5. Install the brake chamber, as follows.
5.1

Place the brake chamber on the mounting flange (camshaft-and-chamber bracket) with the chamber
mounting studs through the flange holes.

5.2

Install the hardened flatwashers, lockwashers, and stud nuts.

5.3

Tighten the brake chamber fasteners to the specifications in Table 3.
Brake Chamber Torque Specifications: lbf·ft (N·m)
Chamber Type
MGM
Haldex
(Size)
16
35–40 (48–54)
100 (136)
20, 24, 30, 36
100–115 (136–156)
100 (136)
Spring Chamber
100–115 (136–156)
100 (136)
Table 3, Brake Chamber Torque Specifications

Page 8

Freightliner Service Bulletin, 01/08/2019

42-077

Steer Axle Brake Chatter
FLA COE
FLB COE
FLD Conventional
Business Class
FLC 112 Conventional

Century Class Conventional
Argosy COE
Cargo
Columbia
122SD and Coronado

Business Class M2
Cascadia
108SD/114SD
> New Cascadia

Freightliner
Service Bulletin

6. Install the slack adjuster. For instructions, see Section 42.11 for Haldex, or Section 42.12 for Meritor
automatic slack adjusters in the New Cascadia Workshop Manual.

WARNING
When lubricating the camshaft-and-chamber bracket, if grease leaks out under the cam head, the
camshaft grease seal is worn or damaged. If the seal is not replaced, the brake linings could be
contaminated by grease and the vehicle’s stopping distance could be reduced, which could result in
personal injury or property damage.
7. For all Cam-Master Q Plus brakes except MX500, pressure lube the camshaft-and-chamber bracket
bushings, as follows.

NOTE: Use meter-type fittings with a maximum 40 psi (276 kPa) pressure relief at the shutoff.
7.1

Pump multipurpose chassis grease (NLGI grade 1 or 2) into the camshaft-and-chamber bracket until
it appears at the slack adjuster end of the bracket. Use care that no grease enters the drum cavity.
For recommended grease specification, see Table 2.

7.2

If grease leaks out under the cam head, the camshaft grease seal is worn, damaged, or installed
backwards. For instructions, see Section 42.01 of the New Cascadia Workshop Manual.

8. Install the hubs. For instructions, see Section 33.01 in the New Cascadia Workshop Manual.
9. Install the brake drums. For instructions, see Section 33.01 in the New Cascadia Workshop Manual.
10. Install the wheels. For instructions, see Section 40.00, Subject 100 in the New Cascadia Workshop
Manual.
11. Remove the safety stands and lower the vehicle.

Warranty
This procedure is warrantable only if the described condition exists and the repair is performed within the
applicable base or extended coverage warranty period. If a failure is not found, this procedure is considered
preventive and warranty does not apply.
Normal warranty applies. See Table 4 for OWL VMRS codes and labor allowance information. Enter this service
bulletin number in the Service Bulletin # field.

Primary Failed Part
Meritor Stamped
Spider Plate

OWL VMRS Codes and Labor Allowance
Component
Cause Code SRT Code
Description
Time: Hours
Code
Meritor Brake Package, Stamped Spider,
4.2
013-001-088
42
402-5012A
R/R (SB 42-077)
Table 4, OWL VMRS Codes and Labor Allowance

Freightliner Service Bulletin, 01/08/2019

Page 9