Installation and adjustment procedures for meritor automatic slack adjusters tp9173revised 101 technical bulletin important information meritor automatic slack adjusters asas should not need to be manually adjusted in service. On long downgrades, the expansion of hot brake drums can cause a total loss of braking and result in a runaway. Introduction components and operation cam brakes air brake chambers automatic slack adjusters spring brake chambers cam brake models q plus cam brakes q plus lx500 and mx500 cam brakes 9 cast plus cam brakes q series cam brakes p series converting 16. How to adjust the air brakes on vehicles it still runs. Clearance sensing 245 clearance sensing self adjusting 26 manual 95 stroke sensing 418. Installation and adjustment procedures for meritor. Only certified technicians may adjust automatic slack adjusters. Release the parking brakes on the truck or tractor and the emergency brakes on the trailer so you can mark the push rod in the unapplied position.
This component adjusts the brakes automatically, as needed, while the vehicle is in operation. How to adjust a manual slack adjuster cdl air brakes. Adjusting air brake system slack adjusters youtube. If the pushrod travel becomes excessive, the marking will show. All brake systems, whether they have automatic or manual slack adjusters, should receive regularly scheduled maintenance checkups. On an airbrake system, the slack adjuster is what is used to adjust the brakes. All manual slack adjusters have an adjusting nut that is a 916 adjusting nut, so youre going to need a 916 box and wrench to adjust up the manual slack adjuster. It is located on the axle housing on the air canister near the wheel. How to determine air brake adjustment air brake smart. Apr 16, 2015 all vehicles built since 1994 have automatic slack adjusters. Brake adjustment is attained by adjustment of the slack ajuster by means of turning the adjusting bolt. On vehicles equipped with hydraulic brakes it is possible to pump the brake pedal to compensate for brakes that are out of adjustment. Home bendix adb22x air disc brake tool kits air brake slack adjusters. Tractortrailer applications, haldex automatic brake adjusters, aba we are doing scheduled site maintenance.
Improperly adjusted slack adjusters on air brakes is a leading reasons for why a commercial heavy truck is removed from service. Operation automatic slack adjuster general brake application the automatic adjustment provided by the bendix asa5 when the brakes are applied, the linear travel of the brake slack adjuster results in consistent brake lining to drum actuators push rod causes the asa5. This is not possible with a vehicle equipped with an air brake system with manual slack adjusters. Dont wait until the red marking is exposed before adjusting the brakes. Otc scam brake slack adjuster tool enables you to quickly check the brake adjustment on class 7 or 8 trucks and trailers equipped with scam brakes. So, braking force is directly applied through the brake chambers, also referred to as brake cans or brake pots. Square boss around the chambers air supply port or ports figure 4. Automatic slack adjuster asa and air brake chamber. How to adjust slack adjusters on trailer brakes it still. How to determine air brake adjustment air brake smart air. When this happens, the slack adjuster will automatically adjust during the return stroke to maintain the correct shoetodrum clearance. As the air brake ages, rubber in the brake chamber will stretch and become more brittle. Aftermarket replacement auto slack adjusters bendix auto slack adjusters gunite auto slack adjusters haldex auto slack adjusters manual slack adjusters meritor auto slack adjusters sort by.
Locate the adjustment bolt, which is located on the base of the slack adjuster. Slack adjusters also called brake adjusters or just slacks regulate the distance that the air brake has to travel to apply friction to the wheel. What you need to know about slack adjusters north dixie truck. You cannot go by the mileage interval, like an oil change, you have to make the adjustment when its required. If the air brake chamber push rod stroke is within limits during operation, no adjustment occurs. Brake application results in the geometry between the cam shaft, slack adjuster and adjusting link to change, causing the adjusting link to rise and fall in relation to the slack adjuster housing. Bendix 201225 slack adjuster clevis pin hole bushing, 12 id.
How to determine air brake adjustmentappliedpry barmark. Park on level ground and chock the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving. Any bus or other vehicle thats equipped with air brakes. Customer value is further enhanced with the addition of bendixs slack adjusters and spring brakes providing a more optimized brake adjustment and pad life, especially in light of the positive feedback weve received from customers. What you need to know about slack adjusters north dixie. Jan 23, 2019 scam brake adjuster tool how often to adjust drum brakes. Adjustment occurs gunites automatic slack adjuster adjusts on the applied stroke, and doesnt react to drum growth encountered during any single brake application. Manual adjustment of automatic slack adjusters may contribute. On vehicles with drum brakes, it is between the pushrod and the scam. Manual adjustment of self adjusting brake adjusters is a dangerous. So were having a debate at work right now on proper methods for adjustment and maintenance of automatic slack adjusters. Dec 17, 2016 if the brakes are out of adjustment, and the vehicle is equipped with automatic slack adjusters, you can attempt a 6pack to bring the brakes back into adjustment. Step 1 installation procedures figure7 figure8 anchor bracket step 2 3 note. The picture above is of a tag axle hub assembly without brake shoes, brake drum, or hub for clarity.
Full product catalog view our full catalog online or download a pdf. Get deals on automotive parts, truck parts and more. And again, make three more full hard brake applications. Such training should emphasize that manual adjustment of automatic slack adjusters is dangerous and should not be done, except during installation, or in an emergency situation when it is absolutely necessary to move the vehicle to a repair facility. They recommend adjusting after every 8000 miles or 300 hours. The bendix surestroke indicator is also available as note.
Air brake chambers automatic slack adjusters spring brake chambers cam brake models. View and download bendix slack adjusters manual online. Features a sturdy fourposition handle to provide the leverage you need at the proper angle. For the purpose of a modern air brake system, it is unlikely that you are ever going to have to find or adjust a manual slack adjuster. Checking and adjusting scam brakes manual slack adjuster drivers seldom have the luxury of the use of a pit and hydraulic jacks so that brake adjustment can be done with wheels off the ground. Different brake chamber sizes are used on the same axle. Brake attaching hardware is broken, loose or missing. Manual adjustment of automatic slack adjusters may. How to adjust a manual slack adjuster for your cdl air. Automatic slack adjusters are designed to continuously and automatically maintain the brakes in proper adjustment during normal use you must have an endorsement a specified on your licence to operate a vehicle equipped with an air brake system.
With the aa1 model brake adjuster figure 1, rotate the control arm away from adjustment hex, toward the air chamber until it. The slack adjuster is the part of an air brake system that is used to adjust the brakes when needed. See troubleshooting procedures on page 5 to determine if the adjuster requires replacement. Slack adjusters setup and compliance to the nhvim first edition, september 2016 page 8 of 15 6 brake chamber stroke length based on chamber band diameter alternatively, if none of the previous methodologies can be applied, table 4 can be used to interpret. Look for damage to the adjusting mechanism on the slack adjuster. Slack adjusters compensate for normal wear of break linings. How to adjust self adjusting air brakes it still runs. Peterbilt and bendix have a long relationship when it comes to safety and air. But, brakes can still be adjusted very accurately with the wheels on the ground using one of the following methods. Brake chambers, slack adjusters and brake lining 16.
How to determine air brake adjustment appliedpry barmark. Maintenance manual 4 cam brakes and automatic slack adjusters. When you install an automatic slack adjuster, you set the brake chamber stroke. Even though automatic slack adjusters adjust themselves during full brake applications, they must be checked. Feb 14, 2019 these are only used on scam and flat cam drum brakes. Slack adjusters setup and compliance to the nhvim first edition, september 2016 page 9 of 15 7 correct mounting of chambers with slack adjusters after adjustment, if the pushrod is cocked either up or down see figure 8, the pushrod should not bind when the brakes have been applied. Automatic slack adjusters for commercial brakes meritor. With service brakes in the released position, mark the push rod even with the brake chamber you must have an endorsement a specified on your licence to operate a vehicle equipped with an air brake system. Apply antiseize to clevis pin, install and secure with cotter pin.
If a brake system with automatic slack adjusters requires periodic adjustments, it is an indication that the automatic slack adjusters are defective and should be repaired. Checking and adjusting scam brakes manual slack adjuster. As push rod stroke increases by foundation brake component wear, the adjusting link movement becomes greater. Slack adjusters automobile parts pdf manual download.
Trailer air brakes are operated by the tractor air supply through a series of relay and check valves. Ntsb warning statement dangers of manually adjusting self adjusting brake adjusters. Release the air brakes by pushing the air brake knob back in. These are applicable both as original equipment manufacture oem and after market retrofit on pre 1994 vehicles. The slack adjuster is an arm attached to a push rod on the brake assembly. Automatic slack adjuster asa air brake chamber failure analysis david a. Figure 1 handed and unhanded slack adjusters there are two automatic slack adjuster designs. If youve read this far, youll know by now just how supremely important proper and timely brake adjustment is. Checking and adjusting scam brakes driving tip manual. Performing a slack adjustment means simply adjusting the push rod in the air chamber to. When you need to replace your slack adjusters, it is very important to find the correct part that matches your equipment to ensure a safely operating braking system. Automatic slack adjuster suppliers have confirmed that may need to travel past the optimum 90. The most efficient braking occurs when push rod travel is held to a minimum, therefore it is important that brake adjustments are made often. If air chamber stroke exceeds cvsa or dot maximum allowances, do not manually adjust the brake adjuster.
Trailer parts superstore offers a great selection of automatic and manual slack adjusters from sirco which are direct replacements for most popular manufacturers. So the first thing you do, chock the wheels and ensure that you have system pressure over 100 pounds and release the parking brakes on the unit. Rotate the 716 adjusting hex nut clockwise until the clevis hole lines up with the brake adjuster arm hole. How to adjust manual slack adjusters on heavy trucks it. Built to be robust and reliable, the industrys lightestweight automatic slack adjuster optimizes brake performance by increasing payload capacity and enhancing. This distance increases as use of the brake causes the friction material of the brake shoe to wear away. The entire slack adjuster operates as a unit, rotating with the brake camshaft as brakes are applied or released. The adjustment stroke is designed so there will always be a sufficient air gap even at higher levels of elasticity and thermal expansion. Performing a slack adjustment means simply adjusting the push rod in the air.
Most manual slack adjusters have a springloaded locking sleeve that must be pressed in and held so the adjusting bolt can be turned. Asas should not have to be adjusted to correct excessive push rod stroke. To adjust manual slack adjusters, the operator must hold an e brake endorsement. Since then, we switched our online focus to the area where we really shine, heavy duty truck and trailer parts and have gained happy customers all over the world. This force is transmitted rotationally through the camshaft. Maintenance manual 4 cam brakes and automatic slack. Proper adjustment of slack adjusters is essential to the functionality of trailer brakes. By using a box end wrench, the sleeve can be pushed down with the wrench.
Scam brake adjuster tool how often to adjust drum brakes. Automatic adjusters should not have to be manually adjusted, except when performing maintenance on the brakes and during installation of the tata slack adjusters. These adjustments are necessary to compensate for the wear in the brake shoes that is caused by the normal operation of the braking system. Automatic or selfadjusting slack adjusters download pdf automatic slack adjusters are designed to continuously and automatically maintain the brakes in proper adjustment during normal use.
Brake slack adjuster adjusting tool set kentool air brakes. Slide under the back of the international truck and locate the two slack adjusters on each side of the rear axle. Set parking brake or have another person make a brake application. The most common version of the automatic brake adjuster is the automatic slack adjuster asa. An automatic slack adjuster also called a brake adjuster is a mechanical component in the air brake system. Weve been in the heavy duty truck and trailer parts business for decades, and started selling light truck accessories online in 2000. How to inspect slack adjuster and air brake system tata. When the brakes are adjusted by slack adjusters, the shoes are moved toward the drum.
I work for a fracking company and a few days ago i brought my truck over the pit for a service and a mechanic proceeds to tell me that they have been having problems with brakes failing because guys have not been maintaining their brakes properly. Installation and adjustment procedures for meritor automatic. On an air brake system, the slack adjuster is what is used to adjust the brakes. Slack adjusters are mechanical links between the brake chamber push rod and the camshaft on cam type brakes you must have an endorsement a specified on your licence to operate a vehicle equipped with an air brake system. Air brake slack adjusters at trailer parts superstore. Automatic slack adjuster asa and air brake chamber failure. Often there is a sleeve around the bolt that needs to be pushed inward to access the bolt. Without this function, the air brake can become out of adjustment and the vehicle may lose its capability to slow or stop consistently. On drum brakes, its between the pushrod and the scam. To adjust manual slack adjusters, the operator must hold an s brake endorsement. Air brake endorsement this endorsement permits the holder to drive vehicles equipped with air brakes in the class of vehicle for which the driver is licensed. Install enough washers per tmc recommended practice to reduce end play to less than. Adjusting the slack adjuster returns the brake components to their proper. The slack adjuster is located on the air canister on the axle housing near the wheel.
Air chamber push rod binding on chamber housing check adjuster for proper shimming and air chamber position for proper adjuster arm length air system not exhausting completely check for cause of air problem and repair shoe return springs broken, weak, missing replace springs automatic brake adjuster unknown check automatic brake adjuster for proper. The angle should be about 90 degrees when brakes are properly adjusted. Page 2 using the positive lock slack adjuster mechanism. The endorsement is not required when operating a class 3 or 5 vehicle licensed as a farm truck or trucks with air over hydraulic brakes. During this motion, the wrench will slip over the bolt in one motion. When the brakes are applied, air pressure forces the air. Brake and lamp adjuster licensing exam handbook the following brake and lamp adjuster licensing exam handbook pdf document was previously recognized from the. Page 1 all slack adjusters utilize the worm and gear principle and, compensating for brake lining wear. Bpw and tata manual slack adjusters in india feb 10, 2011 visit to get bpw and tata manual slack adjusters in india or in any part of the world. If you have a coach and do any routine maintenance there will come a time when you have to adjust your brakes. A slack adjuster is an adjustable lever that attaches to a pushrod and air cylinder assembly on one end and the brake assembly on the other. This is another way to adjust the breaks with the automatic slack adjuster is by applying and holding the service brake for 10 seconds. If not, there may be a problem with the slack adjuster or the brake pot.
See instructions for manual slack adjustment procedure. Visually inspect each brake adjuster for integrity and control arm connection to the associated bracket. Buy brake slack adjuster adjusting tool set kentool air brakes spc 33210 online from napa auto parts stores. Installation automatic brake adjuster guide installation. Considerable torque is required to rotate the a visual stroke indicator. Arm length push rod movement stroke wipe the adjusting screw nut and locking sleeve area clean. Avoid costly fines and downtime make sure your brakes are always operating at their best. Brake adjustment manual slack adjuster with a typical type 30 clamp type air chamber, you must adjust the brakes if pushrod travel is. Slack adjuster setup and compliance to the nhvim australian.
Bendix asa5 automatic slack adjuster manual pdf download. The slack adjusters have an scam that extends out of the side of the slack adjuster to the back of the wheel hub. In the event that a manual adjustment must be made although not a common practice, a. Automatic slack adjuster features an adjust on stroke return, external bracket actuation, clearance sensing and a bolt on solid bracket. Drivers seldom have the luxury of the use of a pit and hydraulic jacks so that brake adjustment can be done with wheels off the ground. Mei brakes producer of automatic slack adjusters and air disc brake calipers. Manual adjustment of automatic slack adjusters may contribute to unexpected brake failure on automotive fire apparatus continued fire departments should ensure that all technicians conducting brake service on fire department apparatus. Brake slack adjusters for commercial trucks and trailers. Note that the brake chamber has stroked more than half of its maximum, which means that this air brake chamber pushrod has excessive travel and the brakes. Once you do that, often times, you go back up to the automatic slack adjusters and you check them again oftentimes those six hard brake applications are enough to walk your automatic slack adjusters back into adjustment.
Operation isnt dependent on the air chamber return spring and brake. Slack adjuster doest automatically adjust brakes 12 to 1 revolution. But since there are no such things as normal truck brakes, slack adjusters are designed to be adjusted. This term is inclusive of multiple current designs and allows for alternate new designs. How to inspect slack adjuster and air brake system check brake adjustment on scam brakes. As self adjusting air brakes age and wear they will require adjustment.
Automatic slack adjusters asa for onhighway, linehaul and vocational applications deliver shorter stopping distances and offer longer lining life. Jul 18, 2007 adjusting air brake system slack adjusters. Our mechanic takes a look at how to adjust an automatic slack adjuster on a hendrickson air ride suspension system. Configuration of anchor bracket and brake adjuster housing may vary. The automatic slack adjuster asa maintains an optimum clearance between. These brakes will only self adjust within a certain tolerance. How to adjust slack adjusters on trailer brakes it still runs. However, in some licensing jurisdictions, youll have to.