Brake Maintenance

 

Best Practices to Keep Your Brakes in Good Condition

 

  • Air Systems
  • Ensure your brake system is well-balanced.
  • Chambers
  • Make sure your push rod is even on all chambers. To help, cut the push rod to the appropriate length.
  • Slack Adjuster
  • First, set your thorn up properly. 90 degree rules for manual apply. Also, use templates for automatic slacks (Exception: Haldex).
  • S-Cams
  • Make sure no grease is on your S-cam head. Aim for free play movement in and out, and up and down. Also, seal your installation.
  • Hardware Kits
  • Replace these completely, not only the springs.
  • Shoes
  • Do a complete replacement, not only one wheel. The minimum should be a complete axle if it's not possible to do an entire unit.
  • Drums
  • Make sure to use heavy drums for severe applications.
  • Lining Wear Patterns
  • To begin, after removing drums look at the brake shoes and lining before you remove them off the wheel - it will tell you a story.
  • Brake Adjustment
  • Jack up axles and snub up brakes, then back off ¼ to ½ turn on manuals and use templates on automatics.
  • Brake Lining Burnishings
  • Heat up the brakes until you are able to smell them. Then, allow them to cool. Do this procedure within ¼ to 1 mile. Check wheel temperature with a heat gun.