I feel stupid. Please help me not feel stupid.

There is school that posts videos on Youtube that I have gained a lot of knowledge from. It is called CDL College. You can find them here: https://www.youtube.com/user/CDLCollegeColorado

 

Bendix makes brake parts. They have a 2 hour video that describes every component in the brake system and what it does. The video is on youtube, I think just search "bendix brake video" will pull it up. I watched it a few years back to take my ASE certification test for bus brakes. I kept falling asleep and had to keep rewinding to the last picture I remembered , but I passed my test. If you can retain even half of the info on that video, you'll be fine.

It makes a lot more sense once you actually see the parts on the truck.

Go to your nearest truck stop. Stand near the fuel desk for two hours. You will see clean, neat, professionals.

You will see chain-smoking "Billy Bigriggers" who motor mouth the entire time they're in line.

You will see one tooth mouth breathers in skid-marked sweatpants, waddling in on their flip-flops to buy another two cases of Ding-Dongs and a 50oz Diet Coke.

They all passed the test. You can too. Make up your mind now to be one of the professionals.

You got this. Go get 'em, tigeress!

 

Your attitude will take you far. Good luck

 

Youtube is awesome, you just need to use relevant search terms. I'm sure there are YT videos on brain surgery at home. The pre-trip inspection videos are probably better than 90% of CDL school teachers.

 

Look up "adjusting slack adjusters" on YouTube. You won't have to do this on the CDL test, but the pictures will help. In the pictures, under the truck, the ugly metal stuff immediately on the inside of the wheels, are the brake drums and bake pads...aka the BRAKES.

 

You likely need pictures to help you better understand. 'This book has plenty of pics but I am sure there are better ones available
https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-air-brake-handbook

Air Supply Subsystem Circuit Diagram


Diagram 12-1: Air Supply Subsystem Circuit Diagram

1. Air compressor
2. Governor
3. Air dryer
4. Supply (wet) tank
5. Safety valve
6. Air tank drain valves
7. One-way check valves
8. Primary and secondary (dry) tanks

Note: This is only a sample circuit diagram. Components and their positions may be different on your vehicle.

 

It's kinda sad but this guy is totally correct. There are some real knuckleheads that pass that cdl test every day. That cdl manual is intimidating but you don't need to memorize it cover to cover to pass the test. You will do most of your learning through experience.

 

Hi tsg, nobody is going to make fun of you here. 1st of all, I applaud your enthusiasm, anytime you venture out in a new job, there will be questions. You came to the right place. We didn't have this service years ago, we were just thrown into it, sink or swim.
Today, with modern trucks, you need not concern yourself with single issues, like brakes. Go the bigger scope, is this job for you? ( most new drivers quit within a year) I read, there's over 200,000 women truck drivers today, so you won't be alone.( unlike years ago, when the saying was "get back in the kitchen where you belong", thank heaven THAT attitude is gone, really, my grandfather said that to my grandmother once, we were all shocked)) What kind of trucking( OTR, local) what type ( van, reefer, etc) and can you give 110%? It's not a 9-5 job, I'm sure you already know that. You may not even drive a stick, as many companies are going with automatics. Things have changed greatly ( for the better) for women. Our own PattyJ can help you, she's been there. Don't be shy, we're here to help,,,at least I am.

 

Air is used to release the brakes. Air is used to apply the brakes. I absolutely understand how that can be confusing until you understand it!