Did I mess up my slack adjusters?

You should not have to adjust auto slacks if they were installed properly.

 

Mother Nature and Father Time are both working to squash that idea.

 

That is correct but they could be old and wore out and he may need new ones. or maybe he needed to remove brake drum to do brakes. he never really said to much

 

A ratchet wrench and a cheap pair of side cutters costs about $8.

 

I run a feed trailer for farms, alot of local side roads, poor condition, offroad paths, some interstate/highway. intermodal fleets uses 3 different types of auto's, sometimes two types on the same truck, its a nightmare. I can tell you without question: dont trust the company line: only have to grease them every 100k miles? automatic adjustment functioning equally on all 10 brakes? notttt likely. dries out too fast if theyre used frequently, and the excess grease if not washed off, along with mud/road debris will seize them up (only f the boosters moderately/severely used, or valves are bad..but still), sometimes the loads are rear-heavy, or forward heavy, and that really plays hell with the auto adjustment also. My points simple, unless your interstate, straight all day-everyday, then get out n look, hell...if it feels like theyre sluggish to release completely, or its pulling to one side or another, pushes itself through curves instead of following the curve with minor brake pressure applied....tighten em all up then back off two quarter turns. slam the brakes forwards n backwards 3 times...if you notice brake abnormalities and your companies not a cheap ### who gives you the company line (oh theyre fine, theyll auto adjust), replace em...its a headache that will just get worse over time. Any local heavy haulers/rough road drivers agree/disagree? Could always use the extra input

 

I was gonna say go take a look at daves bad ### tools but look like he already took care of u buddy

 

You have to put a certain amount of pressure on the brakes to make them self adjust. My first truck that had them, I had to adjust them pretty much as regular as manual ones, I bought new ones even though the truck did not have many miles. same thing. I finally was told to mash the brake a time or two, I do this while sitting still. they worked ever since, unless wore out. lol

 

There’s a procedure for self adjusting them, I think it’s 6 hard jabs. Sometimes while backing I’ll do this. Haven’t had a problem with current slacks, The adjusters can be disassembled cleaned and checked for damage. New star gear if stripped out, I’ve been told.