Brake Adjustment-How often?

If you are a seasoned, refined driver and especially if you have self adjusting brakes then you should rarely have to touch them. I do recommend you check them frequently though. If they are bad enough you feel the difference or know when to adjust them though. When adjusting them, if you have never done so, don't just tighten them. You have to back them off a touch. Once you have adjusted them, after driving for a bit, check them again and also use your sense of smell to determine if they are too tight. If you have adjusted them too tight you will be able to smell your brakes.

 

With the auto slack adjusters you should occasionally (couple times a week) push your brake pedal as hard as you can when you have full air pressure. As mentioned we often drive for weeks without applying full pressure or much pressure at all, the auto adjusters need this to insure they adjust. this is also a good practice as you hold the pedal down watch your gauge to see if you have leaks. you should do this at the truckstop or yard so if there is a weak airline or something you don't pop it on the road.

you (or a mechanic) should also be visually inspecting brakes, driveline, suspension, etc... once a month. If a brake is found out of adjustment you need to replace the slack adjuster or possibly camshaft bearing or something.