How to check brakes on a pre-trip:

How are you pushing and pulling on the slack adjusters? Steer axle can move move than 1/4 inch. If they are C-20, your allowed 1 3/4". Most that you see are 1 1/4" to 1 1/2".

 

They make a tool for checking your brakes.

A simple gauge.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXG4gjzEbDU

 

Or you can go this route Heavy.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnGi_lqueo0&feature=related

 

Yah, I found the second video too. I skimmed through it real quick and the guy seemed to be protesting or whatever, so I skipped it.

 

I don't think he was "protesting" really he was making a very valid point... You do not adjust AUTO slack adjusters... Thats what the manual says.... Problem is that people have been adjusting slack adjusters for so long and the gooberment manuals haven't caught up with todays technology... They tell you to adjust your slack adjusters but the manufacturer say you will damage them if you manually adjust.... As usual we are caught in the middle of this idiocracy...

 

Yah, Like I said, I didn't watch the whole thing. But now I have. I was looking for a video that was more of a training or instructional video to help this guy out from the original post. This video didn't really seem to be helping at all to perform and pre-trip inspection. I have watched this video from start to end, and at what point does the guy actually show how to do an inspection? In fact he is PROTESTING, at the end he says, "Well, really, I can't do this at all." Ok, I think we are getting off track. Powell is asking for help on how to do a proper pre-trip. I am not a driver, but I am a licensed tech. I think you are supposed to at least inspect your brake stoke, are you not? The video I posted does show this. The other video is better for a different topic all together with the matter of adusting automatic slacks or not. With that, there are several different types of adjusters out there, if you aren't sure on what to do you need to get the manufacture and model of adjuster you have, then go to their website and get the maintenace manuals and follow their guide lines.

Meritor slacks
http://www.meritorhvs.com/MeritorHVS_Documents/MM4.pdf

Haldex slacks
http://www.haldex.com/en/North-America/Applications-Products/Literature/Brake--Suspension-Systems-Literature/ABS/?pdf=%2fDocuments%2fhbsna%2fABA%2fABA_Truck_Trailer_Applications_Service_Manual_L30033_9-03.pdf

Gunite Slacks
http://www.gunite.com/literature/pdf/svcbull9.pdf

Bendix / Spicer Auto Slacks
http://www.roadranger.com/ecm/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=117696

General info
http://www.mpi.mb.ca/PDFs/DVL_PDFs/AirBrakeManual/ABM_Section8.pdf

http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/CVSE/references_publications/booklets1-6/pdf/PI221.pdf

Ministry of Transportation of Ontario pretrip, inspection requirements.
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/regulations/daily/page3.shtml

Again, this is not to start a flame war over the adjustment of automatic slacks. The info provide here is help with the inspection of the system.

 

adjusting auto slacks does not hurt them it is if you back them off, it strips the gears inside. This comes from talking to the slack people at truck shows