The experts at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC recognize that proper brake stroke adjustment and maintenance are critical to commercial vehicle and roadway safety. Bendix reminds vehicle owners of its clear, step-by-step guidelines for addressing out-of-adjustment wheel-ends equipped with automatic slack adjusters.
To measure the chamber stroke on each wheel-end, Bendix typically recommends checking the distance from the chamber to the pin with the brakes released, and again after a full brake application. The difference between the two measurements is the chamber stroke. Check the CVSA guidelines to determine the maximum allowable stroke, which is based on the chamber size and type.
Wheel-ends beyond the maximum allowable stroke are considered out of adjustment. Under CVSA inspection guidelines, drivers can incur fines if 25 percent of a truck’s wheel-ends are out of adjustment.
If a wheel-end equipped with an automatic slack adjuster is out of adjustment, Bendix’s first – and most important – piece of advice is this: Do not manually adjust the adjuster. There are many factors that can cause an automatic slack adjuster to overstroke, but none of these will be remedied with a manual readjustment.
Instead, investigate why the brake is over the stroke limit.
Start by referring to the manufacturer’s instructions and mechanism tests to determine whether the slack adjuster is properly adjusting the brake. (For example, the Bendix® Versajust® slack adjuster test is described on page 6 of the product Service Data Sheet.) Also check the manufacturer’s recommendations for lubrication of the adjuster, noting the suggested mileage, frequency, and lubricant grade. (Bendix recommends using an NGLI grade 2 lubricant at every preventive maintenance inspection, which is approximately every three months or 30,000 miles.)
Once the automatic slack adjuster itself has been inspected, use the following checklist to examine other wheel-end components and fix any situations that can lead to overstroke. Where component replacement is necessary, Bendix stresses the use of OEM-equivalent equipment to ensure correct operation and peak performance.
- Check for proper lubrication of the brake camshaft and cam tube.
- Inspect the cam head and rollers for abnormal wear.
- Evaluate the brake’s friction blocks for wear level and cracks, replacing the friction if necessary.
- Inspect the camshaft bushings for wear by checking radial and axial endplay, following the brake manufacturer’s guidelines. If necessary, replace the bushings.
- Check the brake drums for maximum diameter and surface finish, and replace if necessary.
- Check the brake shoe return springs to ensure a proper return to the “zero stroke” position.
- Inspect the return spring on the air chamber or on the service side of double diaphragm spring brakes.
- Inspect the clevis pins connecting the chamber to the automatic slack adjuster to ensure they turn freely and are coated with an anti-seize lubricant.
Upon completing these inspections, verify the slack adjuster’s performance by following the manufacturer’s instructions on conducting a functional check.
Bendix provides commercial fleets, technicians, and drivers with the tools they need to ensure safe operation through assessment, maintenance, and repair. The Bendix On-Line Brake School at www.brake-school.com provides access to the company’s knowledge database and technical resources on all aspects of electronics and air brake maintenance and product education.
BSFB is a joint venture between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC.
Tech Tips
Technical advice on the topics that matter most.
