Help Please

you gotta be kidding?!?! your boss isn't concerned that your braking system is losing air pressure? seriously? are they not responsible for the maintenance of their vehicles? I can't tell you how to fix your brake problem (not that you should anyway,) but if you're going to drive an unsafe vehicle, and end up causing a wreck because of it, YOU will be the one in a world of sh;t, not your boss.

 

Easy fix, call a DOT officer and have him inspect your vehicle (preferably before you drive very far down public roads). Just note saftey issues on pretrip and note you drove the equipment under duress ... a job is a job. But your boss should get the hint after he has to pay a fine, and have the vehicle fixed before it moves.

Finding a little air leak can be somewhat complex ... a big one, not so much, its loud. Does the tractor hold pressure on its own without the trailer brakes charged? If not, shut it off and check for a leak. Does pressure only drop a few psi when tractor brakes are applied, and then continue to drop when foot is on the pedal? Leaking tractor brake can, line, or quick release. Does pressure drop when your trailer is charged? Get out and listen to where the leak is coming from ...etc, etc, etc

Im guessing you have a leak from the compressor to the storage tanks, maybe a drain petcock is stuck open. Listen for it. You could also have a compressor problem.

"Help" the mechanic to find your problem ... before it goes on its next trip. It shouldnt be on the road.

 

You passed several open scales in Ohio . Why didn't you pull in and report it ? For all your boss knew it could have been a random check . You'd get put Out Of Service and not leave until a mechanic came out and fixed it . That would cost twice as much as your boss could have had it fixed for in his shop .

 

All you need to do is keep driving this vehicle and wait for the cops to put you out of service for the defects and write you several tickets, or you can do as RickG suggests.

From a retired federal DOT official

 

This is some good advice if you want to try to fix it yourself or at least identify the problem. Does the truck do this by itself (no trailer attached). This will tell you if the problem is on the truck side or the trailer side. This is the first step in locating the problem. If you can try to get a co-worker to help you find the leak, example, have your friend push the brke pedal while you check. If you can not find a friend then you can get one of those bar clamps that you sqeeze the handle to tighten. If you turn the end around it will force objects apart. Put one end on the seat frame and the other on the pedal and sqeeze. Then run around the truck/trailer to find the leak because from what it sounds like it is not a small leak.

Good luck to you.

 

Take a wheel chock with you. next time your coming to a stop (ramp or rest area is good ) and its leaking down. stop,shut off truck and dont set brakes.use chock,walk around till you find it. if you cant hear the leak its in application side and you will need someone to listen while brakes are applied.

FWIW, brakes dont last long when you put it in neutral at 35 mph and brake to a stop . trans dosent splash lube coasting in neutral

 

If your tractor builds (ie build up to 120 psi, and shut it off) and holds that pressure, and only drops pressure when brakes are applied its a really good chance you have a bad brake can ... a 20 minute and 35 dollar (wholesale) fix.

 

I had the same thing happen to me. loss of air presser . it was a cracked airline going to the brake chamber.
It is not safe to drive that truck. It could have been bad for me if the brake locked down.
You need to get it fixed and be safe