Brake Nightmare

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Smellfunny, Aug 2, 2023.

  1. Smellfunny

    Smellfunny Road Train Member

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    Had a new customer come in over the weekend because his truck was burning fuel. When I went to move the truck with the trailer hooked up it did not want to move so I got out to look at brakes and there was an issue with air to the trailer. BUT I also saw a wire in one of the clevis. So when I got it into the shop I slid under and saw all of this.

    As far as his MPG someone had recently adjusted his valves. He told me they didn't have an injector setting tool. Once I got in there it was the worst valve adjustment I have ever came across. The guy had the intakes set to the exhaust and vice versa. The injector heights were off by 4 or 5 turns and the #1 injector adjuster nut was loose and it was off by about 8 turns. Had a leaking charge air cooler as well. A cracked flange on turbo exhaust.
    All he wanted me to do was adjust the valves. I documented the rest.
     
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  3. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    I thank the post for the information.,

    WOW just wow. How can anyone drive a truck with all those problems. Especially the brakes.
    IF Karma is working. He will have a breakdown then get inspected roadside. OOS and a runaway repair bill. Hopefully before he kills someone.
     
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  4. Smellfunny

    Smellfunny Road Train Member

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    These are the trucks I warn my friends and family about. I tell them DO NOT get around a semi and stay there. This guy probably never gets stopped by DOT while my customers with trucks that they fix everything gets written up for one light out or some small oil leak.
     
  5. JoeyJunk

    JoeyJunk Road Train Member

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    That is beyond ridiculous.

    I drive a 98 FLD120. I replaced the entire front suspension and brake system recently. It didn’t need most of what I replaced but I wanted everything new. Not just for safety but piece of mind.
     
  6. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Sadly guys like in the OP are broke and DOT will pull in a few to showcase and be able to say they did something. But usually they want to pull in people who actully are likely to not only HAVE money but are likely to PAY any fine they get too.

    Follow the dollars. There is no profit in nailing these dudes at the weigh stations beyond the bare minimum. There is huge profit in nailing otherwise good drivers and finding #### like mismatched glad hands to give $150 tickets out over.
     
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  7. Smellfunny

    Smellfunny Road Train Member

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    True.
     
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  8. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Me being an old school truck guy I won’t fault the guy for using manual slacks IF they were kept in top notch adjustment but how does a clevis pin just fall out? Half the time them things are stuck and are a pain to remove. The cotter pin is one of the best most simplest fail safe inventions ever thought of. Lol!
     
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  9. Smellfunny

    Smellfunny Road Train Member

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    But if you get stopped with manual adjusters you are in violation if your truck was made after 20 Oct, 1994.

    (b) Automatic brake adjusters (air brake systems). Each commercial motor vehicle manufactured on or after October 20, 1994, and equipped with an air brake system must meet the automatic brake adjustment system requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 121 (49 CFR 571.121, S5.1.8 or S5.2.2) applicable to the vehicle at the time it was manufactured.
     
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  10. Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

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    I could get rid of my auto slack adjusters? September 1993 manufacture date.

    I used to have manual on older trucks. I'm ok either way
     
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  11. Bean Jr.

    Bean Jr. Road Train Member

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    There's another reason. These guys are a little lazy. They inspect a clean truck, they can be done in 10-15 minutes. Maybe they'll find something, maybe they won't. An old dirty junker? They'll be under there for hours and get filthy! That's what one explained to my uncle as a junker passed the scale.
     
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