DOT Blitz- Brake shoe wear indicator???

dropped it in the yard till I get it registered and a few other small things straightened out, don’t really have an opinion yet

 

I’ve got a Kenworth in the shop right now with disc all way around. You can see the pad thickness without removing anything.

 

On my drum shoes I always look for the notch line on the side of shoes. As long as I can still see it they’re good. Once it’s no longer visible, time to start planning a brake job.

 

I have disk brakes all the way around on the tractor and 3 trailers for the last 9 years. I wouldn’t buy anything else when buying new. The first pads I put on a trailer was at 460,000 because one appeared low at a DOT inspection. When the work was actually done I still had 40-50 percent life on all but one position that may have been sticking at some time. The tractor I replaced them at 550,000 with similar life left on them. I am the only one who drives this rig and try to go easy on my brakes. I have been told that the second time I put tractor pads on it may need rotors. If I am still trucking in 500,000-600,000 miles when it will need them again that will be money well spent in my opinion.

 

The brake lining/pad thickness on the steering axle of a truck, truck-tractor or bus shall not be less than 4.8 mm ( 3/16 inch) at the shoe center for a shoe with a continuous strip of lining; less than 6.4 mm ( 1/4 inch) at the shoe center for a shoe with two pads; or worn to the wear indicator.

 

Hello!
For my education, would you mind sharing a picture? Are those Bendix brakes?

 

Disc brakes on a tractor and trailer are they cats ###. 1.) inspections they can’t even check them. 2.) the stopping power and stopping distance is way better.

I’ve had a few instances where I thought to myself wonder what would have happened if I had drums there…lol

stay safe!

 

They can check them. Whether they know how or not is another story.
Bendix has it’s own measuring tool.
Bendix Disc Brake Rotor and Pad Wear Gauge - K109114
There’s also a generic go-no go tool.

 

Have had a lot of people mention that disc brakes do not last in off road conditions unless they're washed regularly and I believe it. Disc brakes on the smaller stuff never last in the mud and slop, don't see how the theory would change when you upsize the equipment.

 

The size doesn’t matter….at least on a school bus….they have the same problem as 4 wheelers if you run gravel or anything other than pavement.