checking slack adjusters

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...MB218S&sig=AHIEtbQerLXm_ZfgszlCjxt9qF-zVeR8zQ

 

How many sets do you want?

 

Enough for the full truck.

 

PM me your mailing address and I'll drop a pack in the mail, to ya. LS hands them out to us.

 

Make sure your employer allows you to inspect and adjust them. Many don't want drivers fooling with them but to identify brake problems by others means. But learn and know how it's done. The more you know about how your truck works will make a better driver out of you. I always carried wheel chocks with me.

If a company keeps up with their maintenance schedule you won't find many that are out of adjustment. Though trailers do get lost in the system and might not see a shop for a year. Stay on top of what trailers are overdue and report them. Then they can get routed through a terminal.

 

carry the wrench and a flat blade screwdriver and adjust the heck out of the "auto"slackers that never work automatically.no need to buy some special tool unless you are @some parts place that carries them.when the brakes need adjusting,it has to be done.

 

x#1: Until last week I thought the same as you. Eventually those auto slacks that aren't "auto" anymore will strip completely out. Fortunately, it was discovered with a thorough pre-trip (came out of adjustment < 500 mi with no hard stops or grades) and not going off the side of a mountain.

Kind of like discovering bad wipers in a storm, you'll find you have weak brakes at the worst possible time.

 

yes sir,they wear out not unlike a driver.HA! about to address a worn one on the rear axle,passenger side on the truck.i can adjust the brake up but it does not seem to keep it adjusted.having the left front axle slack adjuster on the end dump replaced now,along w/some seals and welding(on aluminum) which is why i am on here.
i have the 9/16ths adjustments on the trl. i love the old type.soo simple and easily adjusted-

my main reason behind the post is that one does not need a special tool to adjust the auto slack adjust.a flat blade screw driver works just fine in a pinch,along w/the socket/wrench.

 

Auto adjusters are junk.
I adjust mine, and have for the past 20yrs, myself. A socket on a 1/4" drive ratchet, and an automotive trim puller is all thats needed. Well, that and maybe 10 minutes including spraying the tools with brake cleaner afterwards.
My current rig has 845k miles on it, and has yet to need an adjuster etc. 1 brake chamber due to a leak, and shoes is what the brakes have needed. I have owned it since new, and adjust the brakes nearly weekly myself. Only time you will find a bad adjuster is by adjusting them. I have found one when they dont lock without the pawl being pulled out. Replaced that one on my last rig, that I put 750k miles on. I would rather find out by adjusting them myself on a near weekly basis, than going down a steep grade at 100k lbs.

Martin

 

I have to disagree. If an autoslack is not keeping a brake in adjustment, it will show in the travel of that pushrod. If you find the same brake out of adjustment, consistantly, then that slack is not working. There is no reason to be constantly manual adjusting self adjusting slacks. The best way to keep them working, keep them greased, properly.