Spider Bearing Cam Seal
Vent Instructions
SAF® Series Drum Brake Axles

Introduction

1. General Safety Instructions

These instructions provide the necessary information to properly
vent the inner cam seal on the SAF® drum brake axle. Read and
understand all of the procedures presented in these instructions
before starting work on any SAF® drum brake axle.



ead and observe all Warning and Caution hazard
R
alert messages in this publication. The alerts provide
information that can help prevent serious personal injury,
damage to components, or both.

We recommend only the use of SAF-HOLLAND® Original Parts.
NOTE: A list of SAF-HOLLAND® technical support locations
that supply SAF-HOLLAND® Original Parts can be
found on our website at www.safholland.us or contact
our customer service group at 888-396-6501.

Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
These instructions, contain the terms “NOTE”, “IMPORTANT”,
“CAUTION”, and “WARNING”, followed by useful product
information. The terms are defined as follows:
NOTE: Includes additional information to enable
accurate and easy performance of procedures.
IMPORTANT: Includes additional information that if
NOT followed could lead to hindered
product performance.

Failure to follow all the repair procedures
contained in these instructions could cause
a hazardous condition to develop which,
if not avoided, could result in death or
serious injury.


ll SAF® drum brake axle repair and maintenance MUST be
A
performed by a trained technician using proper tools and
safe procedures.

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

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.

XL-TA20013RM-en-US · 2015-01-16 · 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.

Venting Procedures
Venting Instructions

Figure 1

These instructions are for the proper venting of the inner cam
bearing seals located at the spider on your SAF® drum brake
axle. Additional information can also be found in the drum
brake axle service manual document number XL-TA10006OM-en-US.

ALLOWS PROPER VENTING
SPIDER GREASE
SEAL LIP
RUBBER
WIPER

Before Starting any axle brake service procedures, park
the trailer on a level surface. Exhaust the air from the
suspension(s), chock the wheels to prevent the trailer from
moving and support the trailer and axles(s) with safety stands.

INBOARD
SIDE OF AXLE

Failure to properly secure the trailer prior
to commencing work could create a crush
hazard which, if not avoided, could result
in death or serious injury.
In the case that the bearing located inside of the axle’s spider
is over lubricated, it is possible that a high pressure condition
could exist which will require venting.

SPIDER GREASE
SEAL LIPS
STEEL
SHOULDER

Figure 2

1. Locate the inner cam seals on your axle’s spiders.
PREVIOUS VERSION
WITH VENT HOLES IN
THE PLASTIC BUSHINGS

2. O
n each side of the axle, vent the zerk fitting on the cam
bearing to relieve any pressure if it exists.
3. R
emove the snap rings and washers from the S-cam end
of the cam shafts. Push them inward on the cam towards
the brake or slack adjusters to gain access to the inner seal.
4. Inspect the inner seals for orientation on each axle. If the
rubber wiper of the seal is visible (Figure 1) or previous
version (Figure 2) with visible vent holes, no additional
action is required and the washer and snap ring can be
re-installed, proceed to Step 9
5. If the steel shoulder is visible (Figure 3), it will be
necessary to vent the seal.
Figure 3

DOES NOT ALLOW PROPER VENTING
SPIDER GREASE
SEAL LIP
RUBBER
WIPER
INBOARD
SIDE OF AXLE
SPIDER GREASE
SEAL LIPS
STEEL
SHOULDER

2

XL-TA20013RM-en-US · 2015-01-16 · 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.

Venting Procedures
6. U
sing an awl with a diameter of approximately 1/8",
locate the tip in between the bearing spider and the steel
shoulder of the cam seal at approximately a 45° angle
(Figure 4).

Figure 4

STEEL
SHOULDER

7. U
sing a hammer, tap the awl lightly two (2) or three (3)
times or until the steel shoulder of the seal has been
vented (Figure 4). Once the inner cam seal is vented,
grease should be visible from the newly created vent hole.
8. R
eplace the washer and snap ring and repeat this process
for the other inner seal of this axle and for all other axles
which are installed on the unit.

SPIDER

9. W
hen the procedures are complete, verify proper brake
operation prior to returning it to service in accordance
with XL-TA10006OM-en-US.
Failure to verify proper brake operation
prior to returning it to service could
affect brake performance or render them
inoperable which, if not avoided, could
result in death or serious injury.

XL-TA20013RM-en-US · 2015-01-16 · 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

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-TA20013RM-en-US · 2015-01-16 · 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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