Brake Safety Week begins Sunday and runs through Saturday, Aug. 30 and the folks at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems offer some practical tips for being prepared, staying safe, and passing an inspection.
What to Expect
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance-certified inspectors will conduct routine inspections throughout the week, focusing on brake systems and components. They’ll be checking for:
- Air leaks around brake components and lines
- Air pressure in the target range of 90-100 psi when checking for air leaks
- Broken springs in the spring brake housing section of the parking brake
- Holes in tubing caused by rubbing
- Mismatched air brake chamber sizes across axles
- Missing, nonfunctioning, loose, or cracked parts
- Proper operation of the tractor protection system
- Proper brake chamber pushrod travel
- Drum brake S-cam has “cammed over”
- Slack adjusters on the same axle are not at the same length
- Warning device functionality (such as antilock braking system MIL – Malfunction Indicator Light)
For this year’s Brake Safety Week, inspectors will keep a special eye on drums and rotors.
How to Get Ready
“Inspections – pre-, post-trip, and regular – can make an important difference toward catching brake-related issues before they become problems, everything from damaged components like air brake chambers or pushrods to loose hoses,” Brian Screeton, manager – technical training and service at Bendix said. He recommends:
Every day:
- Check for damaged or loose-hanging air brake chambers, pushrods, or slack adjusters.
- Make sure slack adjusters on each axle are extended out to the same angle. Different angles can indicate an out-of-adjustment brake, a broken spring brake power spring, or a broken service brake return spring.
- Examine tubing and hose condition, positioning, and connections
Every week:
- Perform a 90- to 100-psi brake application with the wheels chocked and the parking brakes released, and listen for leaks.
- Check air disc brake (ADB) rotors for cracks.
- Inspect drum brake linings for wear and cracks.
Every month:
- Check for moisture in the air system to prevent contamination that leads to component deterioration and system leaks.
Screeton also said, any time you’ve got a vehicle in the shop, it’s also worth greasing the drum brake S-cam tubes and automatic slack adjusters. This quick process helps prevent rust and corrosion, purges out water and contaminants from the components, and also helps keep the slack functioning properly.
