ARKANSAS DOT almost put me out of service

It’s very possible. The PrePass map is showing coverage there.

 

Only if the pushrod is cut the right length. The slacks adjust for a 90 degree angle. Rod too short, it'll overstroke the chamber. Rod too long, it'll keep the adjustment too tight. Henboy stated he recently bought the trailer, thus may not know the maintenance history. Best to verify the pushrods were cut to the proper length first before chucking parts at it.

 

Thats why I like running up here in the northwest with hazmat tankers. All our tractors have disk brakes, our newer trailers have them as well and with elogs that takes 90% of the things the
guys look for when doing inspections. And I have yet to see a DOT guy crawl under a tanker with 1824 and 1830 placards especially when its raining.

 

Are auto slack adjusters bad once they need manual adjustment?

 

If they kept proper adjust and then suddenly stopped adjusting then yep, change them.

 

Not Necessarily- See A ModelCAT post....

A quick way to tell if your slacks are getting aged is go under and adjust them- Then Back em off 1/2 turn- Worn out slacks will back off Very Easy. If you have the style of Slack that has the Pawl, Pull it out and make sure it goes back in easy...

Make sure your Chamber and Slack Meet at a 90 degree angle with brakes set.

I generally replace mine in sets- Chambers get weak and the springs just dont have the Good Stopping power like new- Also- Check your S Cams for Play/Chatter.......Thats a Bigger Job but doable for a Novice-Take your Time.

 

You can regularly adjust auto slacks, maybe once a week during precheck, by making 3 or 4 full ( to the floor) brake applications.

 

Oh, boy. There goes another project. Thanks.

 

Yeah! Stomp the pedal! Get a hard brake event!

 

How do you get a "hard brake event" when you're stopped?

It doesn't actually require a "stomp", but IIRC, you are supposed to apply over 90 lbs for slack adjustment.