Replacement Procedure
Trailer Axles

Drum Brake Trailer Axles

Four-Bolt Bearing Bracket With Cam Enclosure

Introduction

1. General Safety Instructions

This manual provides the information necessary for the
replacement of the S-cam bearing brackets for SAF® axles
equipped with drum brakes, from two-bolt to four-bolt design.

 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.

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.

Indicates a potentially hazardous
situation which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.
XL-TA20022RM-en-US · 2016-08-16 · 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 replacement of S-cam brackets
on drum brake axles where an S-cam bracket has been damaged.
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.
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

TAG LOCATED ON
THE FRAME BRACKET

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.
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.

Figure 2

The model number is located on the serial number tag. The
serial number tag location varies by suspension model.
Fixed frame SAF® Air Ride suspensions: Serial Number Tag is
located on the roadside frame bracket (Figure 1).

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 model number, suspension capacity, part
number and serial number. (Figures 2)
Record the tag numbers below for future quick reference.
Model Number: ___________________________________
Part Number: ____________________________________
Serial Number: ____________________________________
Capacity:

____________________________________

In Service Date: ____________________________________

2

XL-TA20022RM-en-US · 2016-08-16 · 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.

Welding
5. Welding Standards
5.1 Scope
The SAF axle has been designed to be installed on a trailer
with no welding required. When welding is required for axle
repairs, observe the requirements below. Customers may not
weld on an SAF® axle without our prior approval, including the
application of the American Welding Society standards
by SAF-HOLLAND® engineering. This specification applies to
all components supplied by SAF-HOLLAND®, and its products.
The customer assumes all responsibility for weld integrity if
weld material and procedure differ from those listed below.
®

The recommended welding gas for gas metal arc welding
(GMAW) is 90% Argon / 10% CO2. If a different gas is used,
welds must comply with penetration requirements illustrated
(Figure 3). Where the installation drawing specifies different
than above, the drawing shall prevail.

5.4 Procedures

All welding on SAF-HOLLAND® products MUST be performed
by a welder qualified according to the appropriate AWS
standard for the weld being made or an equivalent standard.
It is the responsibility of the customer to provide good
workmanship when welding on SAF-HOLLAND® products.

Tack welds used for positioning components are to be located
in the center of the final weld, where practical. Tack weld
should be completely fused to the finish weld. DO NOT
break arc at the end of the weld. Back up all finish welds
at least 1/2" (13 mm) or a sufficient amount to prevent
craters at the end of the weld. Where weld is illustrated to go
around corners, it is assumed the corner represents a stress
concentration area. DO NOT start or stop weld within 1/8" (3 mm)
of the corner. Particular care should be taken to prevent
undercutting in this area.

5.3 Material

5.5 Weld Size

Items to be welded that are made from low carbon or high-strength
alloy steel are to be welded with AWS filler metal specification
AWS A5.18, filler metal classification ER-70S-3, ER-70S-6 or
equivalent unless specified on the installation drawing.

If weld size is NOT specified, the effective throat of the weld
MUST be no smaller than the thinnest material being welded
(Figure 3).

5.2 Workmanship

NOTE: Any substitution for filler material from the above
standard must comply, as a minimum, with the
following mechanical properties:
Tensile Strength - 72k psi (496 MPa)
Yield Strength - 60k psi (414 MPa)
Charpy V Notch - 20 ft.-lbs. (27 N•m) at 0o F (-17.7o C)
% Elongation - 22%
Figure 3
PENETRATION AS MEASURED
THROUGH SEAM
LACK OF FUSION OF
ANY KIND IN THIS AREA
IS NOT ACCEPTABLE AT
ANY TIME

TARGET PENETRATION TO BE
10% OF THINNEST MATERIAL
FROM INTERSECTION OF FILLET
AS ILLUSTRATED

TARGET PENETRATION

XL-TA20022RM-en-US · 2016-08-16 · 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

S-Cam Bracket Replacement
6. S-Cam Bracket Replacement
1.

Remove the wheels and tires. Disassemble the brake
adjusters and brake shoes. Retain all of these parts, as
they will need to be reassembled in a later step.

2.

Slide the S-cam shaft out of the spider bearing up to the hub.

3.

Remove the cam enclosure assembly from the two-bolt
axle bracket. Discard the cam enclosure assembly and
mounting hardware as they will be replaced with new
hardware in later steps (Figure 4).

4.

Using a straight edge and paint pen or scribe, mark the
existing bracket location (Figure 5).

5.

Remove the existing two-bolt axle bracket. Be careful
when removing the two-bolt axle bracket to avoid removing
the location marks. Minimize the heat introduced into the
axle tube by cutting the bracket off as quickly as possible,
at a distance of 1/4"- 1/2" (6 - 13 mm) from the axle tube.
When removing the two-bolt S-cam bracket, be careful
not to cut or grind below the surface of the SAF axle tube
(Figure 6).

Figure 4

Figure 5

NOTE: Damage to the axle tube may require the axle to
be replaced.
Failure to avoid grinding into the axle
tube could result in stress points that
weaken the axle which, if not avoided
can cause death or serious injury during
normal operation.
TWO-BOLT
AXLE BRACKET

Figure 6

4

XL-TA20022RM-en-US · 2016-08-16 · 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.

S-Cam Bracket Replacement
6.

Grind away the remaining portion of the bracket being
careful not to remove the location marks (Figure 7).

7.

Using a straight edge and a paint pen or scribe,
reconnect the previously made location marks from
Step 4 (Figure 8).

8.

Replace the square cut O-ring on the inboard side of
the spider. (Figure 9).

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9
SQUARE CUT
O-RING SEAL

XL-TA20022RM-en-US · 2016-08-16 · 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

S-Cam Bracket Replacement
9.

Slide the new cam enclosure tube over the S-cam shaft
and push the new cam enclosure tube inside the spider
until bottomed out against the square cut O-ring seal.
Ensure that the cam enclosure grease fitting and vent
plug hole are facing away from the axle.

Figure 10

10. Slide cam shaft inward back into position (Figure 10).
11. Slide the new four-bolt axle bracket over the cam
enclosure tube (Figure 11).
12. Slide the new four-bolt cam enclosure plate over the cam
enclosure tube and bolt the four-bolt axle bracket and
four-bolt cam enclosure plates together. Ensure that the
brake adjuster/stroke window is facing opposite of the brake
chamber push rod. Torque to 25-30 ft-lbs. (34-41 N•m)
(Figure 11).
13. Using the four-bolt axle bracket location marks from step
7, position the four-bolt axle bracket tight to the axle
tube (Figure 11).
14. Tack weld the center of the four-bolt axle bracket to the
axle tube with a 1/4" (6 mm) tack weld on both sides of
the bracket (Figure 11).

Figure 11

15. Tack weld the inboard side of the four-bolt cam enclosure
plate to the cam enclosure tube in the center with a 1/8"
(3 mm) tack weld, top and bottom (Figure 12).

FOUR-BOLT
AXLE BRACKET
FOUR-BOLT CAM
ENCLOSURE PLATE

TACK WELD

Figure 12
TACK WELD

6

XL-TA20022RM-en-US · 2016-08-16 · 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.

Notes
16. Measure and mark the axle tube 1/8" (3 mm) from the
top and bottom edge on the four-bolt axle bracket on
both sides (Figure 13).

Figure 13

17. Prior to final weld, verify the four-bolt axle bracket is
square to the axle tube as tacked.

1/8"
(3 mm)

18. Ensure that the axle tube, the cam enclosure tube, the
four-bolt cam enclosure plate, and the four-bolt axle
bracket are clean and free from all moisture, scale,
grease, oil and weld slag from the tack welds.

1/8"
(3 mm)

19. Weld both sides of the four-bolt axle bracket with a 3/8"
(9.5 mm) fillet weld; refer to welding standards in Section 5.
Ensure that both welds stop at least 1/8" (3 mm) from the
top and bottom edge of the bracket as marked in Step 16.
20. Weld both the top and bottom of the four-bolt cam
enclosure assembly plate to the cam enclosure with a
3/16" (5 mm)fillet weld, 1 1/2" (38 mm) long on the
inboard side only; refer to welding standards in Section 5
(Figure 14).

Figure 14

21. After the weld area has cooled, clean and paint/
undercoat the welded area and any adjacent area where
paint was removed to facilitate bracket replacement
(Figure 15).
22. Re-assemble the brake shoes. Refer to SAF Service
Manual for Drum Brakes XL-TA10006OM-en-US.
23. Re-assemble the Brake adjuster. Refer to SAF Service
Manual for Drum Brakes XL-TA10006OM-en-US or as
recommended by the brake adjuster manufacturer.

WELD 1 1/2"

24. Lubricate cam shaft and bearings per SAF Service Manual
XL-TA10006OM-en-US.
25. Repeat these steps for the opposite side of the axle.
26. Re-install the wheels and tires.
Figure 15

XL-TA20022RM-en-US · 2016-08-16 · 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.

7

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-TA20022RM-en-US · 2016-08-12 · 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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