Jost outlines key maintenance advice for its DCA trailer axle series.
The DCA trailer axle series from Jost provides a complete modular axle system which opens up endless application possibilities with minimal components. For customers, this means fewer spare parts and, thanks to genuine quality, lower lifecycle costs.
It is the compact axle housing which gives the DCA series its name – DCA stands for Durable Compact Axle. Integration of all the axle functions allows a compact and extremely durable and lightweight axle housing due to its innovative design.
Whilst axles in the DCA series are low maintenance with minimum spare parts required, there are still some important service and maintenance procedures which should be followed in order to keep trailer axles in top condition, working their best and delivering maximum uptime.
Types of inspection
The recommended focus areas and methods of inspection of the axle are as follows:
- Brake: Visual inspection of the components for damage/wear, especially the safety-relevant threaded connections
- Suspension: Visual inspection of the components for damage/wear, especially the safety-relevant threaded connections
- Wheel circumference: Visual inspection of the components for damage/wear, especially the safety-relevant threaded connections
- Wheel nuts: Check for specified tightening torque after first drive with load (after approximately 50 km) and after every wheel replacement
- Steering axle: Visual inspection of the components for damage, wear and function
Test and maintenance schedule
Under normal operating conditions the following should be checked every three months or 25,000km (whichever is first):
- Brake lining thickness
- Brake disc
- Locking mechanism
- Lubrication of the plain bearing lubrication points (axle unloaded/raised)
Furthermore, annually or every 100,000km (whichever is first), the following vehicle checks should be completed:
- Unobstructed movement of brake caliper
- Clearance of brake caliper
- Bearing play of brake caliper
- Brake caliper seals
- Brake caliper threaded connection
- Threaded connection, hub/brake disc
- Threaded connection, brake cylinder
- Retaining bracket at frame
- Retaining bracket threaded connection
- Plastic wearing washers at retaining bracket
- 3D bushing (The first time after four years, then annually thereafter)
- Shock absorber
- Air bellows
- Air bellows threaded connection at axle housing
- Retainer, hexagon nut with collar
- Compact bearing unit
When working in harsh operating conditions, the following updates must be considered further to the above recommended schedule:
- Unobstructed movement of the brake calliper should be checked every six months, or 50,000km
- The 3D bushing should be first checked after two years or 200,000 km (whichever is first), and then once per year or 100,000km thereafter
It is important to note that for both the above recommended schedules, the required intervals and work depend on the type of vehicle, individual usage, and operating conditions.
This test and maintenance schedule was created for use in normal operation (asphalt/concrete roads). Test and maintenance schedules for vehicles that are operated under different operating conditions can be found on Jost’s website under the menu item ‘Downloads/Service’.
The DCA series comprises of the DCA Weightmaster, DCA Megamaster, DCA Airmaster, DCA Steermaster, DCA Pavemaster, and DCA Railmaster. Furthermore, in the first quarter of 2021 Jost launched the DCA-U6: a new 19.5-inch brake.
The new DCA-U6 brake disc for 19.5-inch applications comes in a weight-optimised design – meaning less weight for more payload. The DCA-U6 has a 15kg weight advantage per axle trio, making driving noticeably more economical and contributing to enhanced cost-efficiency.
