Road check 2017

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Woodchuck88, May 29, 2017.

  1. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    I don't know why you all are worried about brake stroke.

    I mean. SERIOUSLY. Just looking at the brakes will tell you the stroke is too long.

    You all know that your brakes should be snug against the drums. Any gaps means the the chamber is going to have to push the rod out that much further to make the shoe touch the drum. Thus. more then 2 inches.

    I don't know about the rest of you all. But I don't like gaps between my shoes and drums. Marking with chalk and measure the stroke is pretty time consuming and can't be done without another person to help.

    You have eyes. Use them and look at the brakes. GAPS BETWEEN THE SHOE AND DRUM. There's your sign right there the brakes are out of adjustment.

    As far as mashing on the brake pedal and whatever other procedure you all like to recommend on this websight. If the slacks are doing their job. They'll adjust on their own with straight forward driving. If they aren't adjusting on their own. They're not working and any other recommended procedure is just a waste of time. You're only solution is to get off your lazy arse and crawl underneath and stick a wrench on those adjusting bolt heads. ONly takes 10 seconds per axle and your eyes will visually see the brakes and gaps. Technically speaking. You're supposed to be looking at your brakes ANYWAYS.

    RIGHT?????????

    The lazy generation these days. :mad:
     
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  3. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    and if you tell the DOT you just adjusted the brakes, you could be out service, for not being a certified mechanic.

    was told this by both US and Canadian DOT, when I got under the trailer to fix them.
     
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  4. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    Wrong. The adjusters will only adjust when brake force exceeds 60%. If you're driving like you should, paying attention to what is ahead of you and anticipating your stops, you won't use more than 15-20% of the available brake force. That means that over time, as the brakes wear, the slacks are NOT self adjusting as you drive unless you make a habit of driving with your head up your ### and mashing the brakes to stop. You have to apply sufficient pressure to the brakes for them to adjust, so if you rarely ever have to brake hard, you'll have to run through the process of applying and releasing the brakes when stopped.

    And they really shouldn't be "snug" against the drums. "Snug" implies they are dragging, which creates heat, wears out the friction surfaces prematurely, and hurts fuel mileage. The drum ought to ring like a bell when you tap it, and the shoes be as close as possible while still allowing that to happen. There WILL be a slight gap if properly adjusted, because they shouldn't be touching the drum. While excessive gap is a pretty good indication that things aren't right, it isn't the best way to check adjustment.

    And you DON'T need a 2nd person to check the stroke. With the trailer brakes set, release the tractor brakes and mark the pushrods. I have a 2x4 cut to length...air up the seat, wedge it between the brake pedal and seat frame, and let the air out of the seat until I have 80 psi on my application gauge. Measure stroke. Remove 2x4, set tractor brakes, release trailer brakes. Mark trailer pushrods. Use the hand valve to apply trailer brakes and measure stroke. Takes less than 10 minutes, and I know my brakes are within spec.
     
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  5. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    Ontario Canada
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    Why can't you measure by marking with yellow button in then yellow button out to have pushrod pushed out?
     
  6. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Jul 6, 2009
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    Wrong.

    The adjusters work when the stroke gets to long.

    If you're lucky enough to have brand new drums. You'll never see 60% pressure.

    I'll stick with the eyesight method.
     
  7. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    You'd do yourself well to scroll up and read the pdf posted by @STexan , as it describes the way slack adjusters function. It pretty much mirrors all of the official publications I've seen over the years, when I was searching for the truth amid the sea of trucker tales.
     
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  8. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    Because you'd only be measuring the stroke at the pressure generated by the springs. 40 psi is really all that is needed to start pressing back against the spring to release the brakes. DOT checks the stroke @ 80 psi. Parts flex under pressure, so you're measurements will come up short if you're just measuring the spring pressure.
     
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  9. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Dec 18, 2011
    Michigan
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    the number one failure on brake adjustment is the slack adjuster not working so how can you tell if you don't get under, check and adjust them, then check later in a week or two to see if they are working?
     
    tinytim and noluck Thank this.
  10. Brandt

    Brandt Road Train Member

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    I have a truck with air disc brakes ! No slack adjusters to even check !
     
  11. Fajo

    Fajo The Dark Knight

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    Boise, ID
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    Lol, This is the one time i'm happy that my load runs from 9pm to 6am Sat thur Tues. Scales around here are closed 99% of the time. ;) one time of the year that overnight driving is awesome.
     
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