Brake adjustments

You need to be 'certified' as trained to adjust 'em...there is a law somewhere...

Prior to the automatic slack adjusters, there would be a line of guys wanting brake adjustments every morning...every door had someone backed up.

 

Blows my mind you guys down there need training to turn a bolt and then back it off 1/4 to half a turn.

 

It also blows my mind that no one can just look and see.

They gotta recommend some doo dad to tell them.

The eyeballs only require one second.

How much time does it take to install and operate them doo dads?

 

Only if you are doing it for others for profit.

 

I had to show the examiner that I knew the parts of the system, describe how they work, and adjust several brakes on an actual working truck, to get my air endorsement.
Adjusting brakes is quick and simple.
Shocked anyone can get their license without actually doing it themselves, and proving they can.

 

They need training to find the adjuster behind the... what wheel? What adjuster? I have to bend over and climb under;?)

 

Part 396
Section § 396.25: Qualifications of brake inspectors.
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• Guidance Q&A

Question 1: Does a CDL with an airbrake endorsement qualify a person as a brake inspector under §396.25?

Guidance: No.

Question 2: May a driver who does not have the necessary experience perform the adjustment under directions issued by telephone by a qualified inspector?

Guidance: Yes. A driver is permitted to perform brake adjustments at a roadside inspection providing they are done under the supervision of a qualified brake adjuster and the carrier is willing to assume responsibility for the proper adjustment.

Question 3: May a driver or other motor carrier employee be qualified as a brake inspector under§396.25 by way of experience or training to perform brake adjustments without being qualified to perform other brake-related tasks such as the repair or replacement of brake components?

Guidance: Yes. A driver may be qualified by the motor carrier to perform a limited number of tasks in connection with the brake system, e.g., inspect and/or adjust the vehicle’s brakes, but not repair them.

Question 4: Would a mechanic who is employed by a leasing company and only works on Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)s that the leasing company leases to other motor carriers be required to meet the brake inspector certification requirements?

Guidance: No. The mechanic is not required to meet the certification requirements of §396.25(d) since he/she is not employed by a motor carrier.


My comment was regarding the driver and roadside brake adjustment of a CMV.

This was a hot topic after part 396 was updated [along with the mandate for Auto-slacks] and many companies actually had classes and certified drivers to insure they could adjust brakes on the roadside. Not sure what MCSAP reccomends now.

Like so many of the 'latest and greatest' regulations this was the focus of roadside enforcement just after adoption and the only exception was an 'owner' could do his own without proving certification.

Remember this was before the mandeate requiring automatic slack adjusters when MOST drivers were able to adjust brakes as needed. Looking at the original question, the ability to adjust a slack adjuster is not longer a universal truck driver ability, partially due to the FMCSA enforcement practices 'back in the day'...in addition to the fact that auto slacks work!

 

One company I worked for. Gave us a card that certified us to adjust out brakes.

That was 10 years ago, though.

 

I think he may have meant 1/4 turn, not ". Could be wrong though.

 

Thank God for disc brakes.