Brake Adjustment-How often?

gravdigr is exactly right, if you need an adjustment on automatic slack adjusters, there IS a problem, if you don't know what you are doing, you will set yourself up for worse problems. It's not like in the old days when everyone carried a 9/16" wrench.

 

They need adjusting too. For instance I was getting tires on my trailer a few weeks ago and by chance I happened to put my hand on the from axle and it spun I told the mechanic and he adjusted. A few weeks before that it got new brakes so maybe they missed it then but I would hope not.

 

If you had to adjust an automatic slack adjuster manually, then there IS a problem.

 

Automatic slack adjusters have grease fittings on them...they must be greased when truck is serviced..if they're not then they will seize up eventually and they must be replaced.

 

I'm not sure he adjusted it and didn't indicate that there was a problem. If there was I'm sure he would have had to change the adjuster.

 

If an automatic slack adjuster needs adjustment, then it is bad. Do not adjust an automatic slack adjuster. Fix what's causing it to not self-adjust.

This Document discusses brake failure on fire apparatus linked to manual adjustment of ASAs, but is also applicable to Class 8 truck braking systems.

This Document from the NTSB also says not to do it.

Bottom line - Don't manually adjust ASAs

 

I say this is too complicated just unhook the brakes and honk when you come to an intersection. They will get out of your way and everyone can be happy.