checking slack adjusters

[/QUOTE]The best way to keep them working, keep them greased, properly.[/QUOTE] Very true, auto or manuals, and keep the cam shaft greased also.

 

I'm like you. I want my brakes to work and I want to see for myself. The only problem is we are setting ourself up for jail time if we are in any bad accident. You know the first thing that the opposing lawyers are going to look at is the mechanics of the truck. When they come to the brakes they are going to find that you are not qualified to inspect or adjust and the procedures that you did use may have caused your brakes to not work properly. Even if it's not true and the brakes had no baring on the case they will make it a big deal and do their best to shift blame to you.

NTSB has found that our way, or the old way, only will cause the brakes to come out of adjustment faster and more often. They have issued a letter of recommendation that all automatic slack adjusters that have been adjusted without the proper tools be replaced. The standard proceedure now is to keep them properly lubricated and do a pedal presurre adjustment daily. If they still do not work then they need to be replaced.

It's hard to change but it only took me a little while before I had excellent working abs on all 8 of my axles. I still got underthere and looked and I did see where they are working and I just watched the parts and wear. I was lucky and pulled the same set everynight. I can see where the problem is if you have to pull a different trailer all the time. I think I would have to stay the old way if I changesd trailers all the time but not on the tractor..

 

Could of course happen.
They would need to PROVE that someone unqualified adjusted them though wouldn't they? Officially never touched them. Reality, adjust them near weekly.
I know the theory etc, but in 20yrs, I have yet to have a problem myself. Problems are easy to spot when backing them off the drums, as are cracked shoes, leaking wheel seals and so on.
Good investment of my time IMHO. That, and I dont trust anyone else adjusting them if needed....

Martin

 

Sure you can lie under oath. But the point is to have working brakes all the time and be within the law.