Adjusting Brakes

If it was up to me, I'd have all manual adjusters on the truck.

Two things I hate about self-adjusting slack adjusters:
1. They leave you to "assume" they are working and adjusting slack all along just fine. (often not the case)
2. You have no control over adjustment. If I want a hair more or less shoe to drum clearance, I can't do it with the self-adjusters.

 

As a o/o I adjust,inspect,repair,replace.found cracked lining couple weeks ago,cost 40 bucks,new shoe,and spring kit.if dot found it at scale.probably 3-400 bucks or more at scale.

 

I do as much work as possible on my truck,oil change,grease,brakes.etc. I adjust brakes every time some need it most don't.what gets me I know my truck and have been told by DOT,let me check and see if that's a,long or short stroke! I want to scream,I can look at the brakes one time,and tell you if it's out of adustment.

 

Good explanation thanks!

 

HHHMMM -looking from the outside in, this "Brake adjusting" issue may have become too complicated.
To maybe simplify, lets just say you are talking ONLY about "Self adjusting brakes" and not the Manual adjust brakes (that could be another thread -"No" ?)
Lets also assume we-you are talking to "Newbies -wannabees - or just drivers that have never messed with the brakes period.
Can you all agree!
1) Find out if your truck and trailers are equipped with self adjusters from your CO. or their mechanics.
2) that 10 hard pedal applications of 80 psi each day before you roll or when grabbing a different trailer whether it is the soft application (Gunite ?) or hard application (80 psi) adjusters should work in theory (if everything is mechanically OK) to adjust your brakes.
3) a good visual check on the brake pads whether or not they are contacting the drum will be enough generally -I said generally, to assume you can roll with it.
4) If 1 "Auto slack adjuster" or set of brake pads isn't adjusting properly your choices are -sit right where you are and call road service, Keep rolling carefully (at your own risk) at least till you have some down time or at a convenient place and time or at the Companies shop to get it repaired and hope you dont get inspected and or fined. Or learn the proper way to adjust it yourself and watch it closely to see if it is adjusting automatically or needs replaced and spare yourself a "Out of adjustment" inspection fine.

If the only tool you know how to use is a hammer - "DONT TOUCH THEM".
All of the posters before have had great info and said everything above -but its spread out and getting confusing on what the " Wannabees- Newbies -or drivers that just haven't even looked at such things might do.
As far as its being the law to not touch them or the companies rules - Geez - Just dont tell them if you do, you are going to pay money in fines if you dont adjust them or get them repaired. Please learn out how to do it first before you do touch them Though.
I left out anything about "push rod travel" --above mentioned is only about having "braking Power" to get you down the road.
Victor --love your threads, very fun to read --i also admire willingness to read and learn about things --however what you post may come back to haunt you --so if you are adjusting your brakes and IF by law it is illegal without certification -please become certified in brake adjustment so if anything happens (knock on wood) "They" cant hold anything against you - you posted numerous times about adjusting your own brakes and its out there for all the world to see now.

 

Crazy that's what the world is but I agree on the liability thing. It's funny anyone with the slightest mechanical ability can adjust brakes/repair/replace on personal vehicles and no-one has a problem - there are no certifications required nor regulations there. Brakes on those are no less important than big trucks. A 3,500lb car with faulty brakes kills or can cause death/injury just the same as an 80,000lbs truck. That said how exactly would one go about getting certified to legally be able to work on air brakes and what would it cost?

 

I won't have Manual slack adjusters on mine thier junk. Self adjusters are not rocket science an contrary to popular belief they are very easy to adjust if not set the way u prefer