Cracked brake pads,

I recently got a DOT inspection at the Monee IL TA. The kid in there found cracks on two brake linings on opposing axles. He used a wire brush and a bright flashlight to show me which were very hard to see, I went ahead and greenlighted new brakes. When they were pulled off the small tiny crack went across the entire face of the lining so I appreciated that guy for being so thorough and not just trying to gouge me for $$$

 

Someday we will get past the "officers interpretation" of the regs. Kudos for doing it right and clean Stan. Few do.

Just a thought...... I have tried to shift my operation game to a different tempo like off hours, nights, change routes. Helps some what........and I may have to give up 3 customers 60 miles east of me...why? Some darn fool decided to build a super coop on I-10 between me and them. I 'll have to cross this scale loaded to serve these customers. So what's the problem? One stop on the scale will likely garner a fine of $250. Fines usually start there and these customers just aren't paying that well.

It's a operation specific problem for me that has to do with risk / reward. I could upgrade the equipment but that would aggravate the equation on the other side so it's a no win AND upgraded equipment is no promise of clean inspections. My locals are after cash pure and simple.

JMO

 

i'll just say CONGRATS.

you now realize that csa isn't all that. it's actually a BS program. that gives the cops the power to be the KING. they know it. and they aren't fraid to show it.

 

Yea, I read the first page and skipped all the rest. But If you are in the right and you took it all apart and found no problems and got pictures. You should take it to court. No one challenges them so they keep getting away with what ever they want. I honestly feel if all the company's would spend the money to take them to court on this stupid stuff some would knock off. I know most places are willing to pay a say $250 ticket rather than $1000 to fight it but if you look at it in the long run all them $250 add up. JMO

Just read some more and still believe the above holds true. They have been getting away with it for so long its just normal now...

 

You can buy, or find online for free the CVSA North American Standard Out of Service Criteria.

Best regards

 

i have been told by DOT and anyone who has inspected my truck, ANY CRACK, from top to bottom is a rejection of that brake, (i am not sure if its an OOS)

the thinking is that it can crack off at any time

 

Scalemaster, I believe part of the problem on the brake pad issue is that the vehicle received as the OP stated a "cit/warning", and I would think that most would believe 393.47 (a) (physical characteristics must provide safe and reliable stopping...) may be sufficiently broad to allow for some interpretation, but also for some common sense and discretion.

The perception is that the crack (s) did not meet the OOS criteria, and the FMCSR's do not mention cracks, so how can it be a violation if it is not in the regulations. It was cited/warned based on what? An opinion and a "catch all" rather than a factual provable violation of a regulation? Without a whole series of formal tests how can anyone say with any accuracy that this crack would affect safe and reliable stopping (Even if it failed) and if they can say it would then they should be capable of showing how much it affects the safe and reliable stopping.

Best regards

 

Because 393.47 is not specific about what constitutes a defective brake, we have to go by the CVSA out of service criteria for specifics, see link for an older version below.

http://www.tn.gov/safety/CVE/NorthAmericanStandardOut-Of-ServiceCriteria.pdf

If it does not meet the out of service criteria, we do not even put it on the inspection as a violation around here.

I cannot tell from Kansas's pictures whether the crack in his lining:
- exceeds 1/16 inch wide (pretty darn wide for a lining crack)
- exceeded 1 1/2 inches in length

If it exceeds those measurements it is a violation, and it constitutes one defective brake. If not, I would not even list it on the inspection.

I looked at his SMS info, and could not find a violation pertaining to brake linings, so I could not look up and see how the officer worded the violation. No inspections found for "Madison,Il. I-55/I-70".

 

While I dont think this should have been wrote up its probably a good thing you went ahead a changed the shoe because as close as the crack is to the shoe it self after running this winter the crack would have more than likely got worse.

The crap they treat the roads with for snow and ice in some states will get into the crack causing the shoe to form rust under the lining thus forcing it up and causing either a bigger crack or the pad becoming loose from the shoe.
You can thank in part the Made in Mexico/Assembled in USA with the increase in truck component early failure now days.