adjusting brakes yourself

Don;t just say look at the folks hearding these things around look at some of this new trash thats out on the highways. Cmon Automatic transmissions is a good start.

I have been certified at just about every company I have been with except the present one.
I have had one ticket for brakes and it was my fault for being lazy .

I am right there with you about some of these folks out there ,I got into a scuffle the otherday with some ###### that parked his rig on the fuel island and went inside I showered and came out and he was still parked there.

 

Really? I doubt it!

Automatic slack adjusters are just that...Automatic! If the adjustment is within spec, No ones going to ask you when or who last adjusted them.

Even if they ever did, The correct answer would be:

They're self adjusting, I checked them to make sure they were adjusted properly during my pre trip inspection and they were and therefore no further attention was warranted.

I can't provide proof of who adjusted my brakes last...Nor would I ever be compelled to!
Because (once again for those of you who don't get it) They are self adjusting automatic slack adjusters and when they are working properly they require no adjustment...
If during the process of inspecting my brakes I happen to see one that I feel needs adjustment I will bring it into spec. but because they are self adjusting there will be no record of anyone ever having touched them and if I were ever in a position to be asked the question I would not admit to ever adjusting them and chalk it up to "Maybe the last mechanic that serviced the thing messed with them but I never did."

It'll be up to them to PROVE otherwise!



But I am old enough and have been around the block a couple of times and I know absolutely that 99% of the time a cop is not my friend!
It pays to play your cards close to your chest...Always!

 

not entirely true. in class we were shown how even the automatic slack adjuster can not function properly. just because something is "automatic" doesn't mean it does not warrant frequent checks. then too, unless you personally did brake work, what proof do you have that ALL the slack adjusters are automatic........many times is the situation that due to cost, a company may exchange the malfunctioning automatic slack adjuster with a manual type. this has been taught in class as well..........and by the way...its perfectly legal to mix slack adjusters.......

you can argue your case all day long if you wish...........

uh...........yeah...........the lawyers can get you to talk............

you just said what i said in your posting............"when they are working properly", so even you KNOW they can fail........you just contradicted yourself.

you will then have to provide the garage that did the work, and any related paperwork, like your pre/post trip reports and the DVIR report

that's right.........you stand to lose on all your counts you mention here.

and with CSA2010/2011 coming, you'll be hit hard

 

Slack adjusters nowadays are self adjusting. He can say he checked them at his pretrip, and they were fine. They could have failed after the pretrip. *nudge, nudge, wink, wink* Not the way I would go, but the way it could be done.

 

you need to go back and re-read posting number 53 where i say that sometimes a company will substitute an automatic with a manual adjuster.

problem here though that not too many guys are getting is the CSA2010 rules pertaining to the equipment, and its over all condition, and driving it when it is defective. you got to remember that CSA2010 will not be forgiving to "worked fine when i left"..............

nudge, nudge, wink, wink.........

 

CSA2010 doesn't apply to me, so I'm not too worried.

However, if it's going to be that bad in the US, maybe it's time for drivers to rethink this profession.

 

http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2009/Dec09/121409/SMSMethodology.pdf

go to pages 52,53,54 and part of 55 and see how many "Y"s in the "driver responsible column.............all regarding brakes

 

My tractor, My trailer....I keep my equipment in perfect condition at all times.

No....It is not legal to "mix" slack adjusters! If the truck came with auto adjusters they MUST be replaced with auto adjusters.


This was posted earlier in this very thread by one of our resident DOT officers....(For those of you who missed it because you think, you already know everything)


Per MikeMD:

No need to.

Been to court many times....I have frustrated many a lawyer with the blank stare and an answer that they can't get me to change no matter how many different ways they tried to approach it.

How did I contradict myself exactly?
Did I ever say that slack adjusters never fail? No!
Did I ever say that they never needed attention? No!

I can ALWAYS produce the necessary evidence.

How so?

I won't be touched by it...

 

why, what country you from..........if you are from canada.......you ain't in the clear if you thought so........canada will be adpopting such a CSA in the near future.

 

It won't be that near in the future, and I won't be driving anymore by then. I like driving, but between being away from the family, and the over-regulation of the industry, I can't justify doing it for much longer.