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Can't even use my name 11-19-2004 15:45:20 66.228.102.136 11707 Report to Moderator	What is the proper procedure for adjusting air brakes. I know you have to push up the lock collar and turn the bolt head but how do you know how much. [Reply]  [No Email]
JK-NY 11-26-2004 06:02:38 66.218.28.35 11788 Report to Moderator	Re: Adjusting air brakes in reply to Can't even use my name, 11-19-2004 15:45:20   If you have manual slack adjusters, you push in the collar and turn clockwise, if automatic slack adjuster it depends on the manufacturer of slack adjuster. You want the brake fully released , on spring brake chambers(maxi anchorlock or ehatever you call it in your neck of the woods)the parking brake must be released.Maximum push rod stroke measurements depend on brake chamber size and if chamber is long stroke or std. BTW max stoke on type 30 is 2''.If you have wedge brakes you want them adjusted enought to see the shoes move when you apply and release brakes and still have wheels turn free.I suggest you find someone in your area who knows air brakes and have them look over your truck and ashow you or post back with particulars. Hope This Helped. JK   [Reply]  [No Email]
Big Jim 11-22-2004 22:50:57 56.0.84.24 11754 Report to Moderator	Re: Adjusting air brakes in reply to Can't even use my name, 11-19-2004 15:45:20   In the school bus world, the standard was one inch of travel at the pin. 1 and 1/2 needed to be adjusted. When I worked on the Safeway fleet, pull them up tight and back off 1/2 turn was the company rule.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Leland 11-21-2004 00:51:29 65.143.147.72 11742 Report to Moderator	Re: Adjusting air brakes in reply to Can't even use my name, 11-19-2004 15:45:20   What are you adjusting brakes on if it is a mack there slack adjusters you spin counter clock wise to tighten up brakes. But running them down on trailer and backing off1/2 is ok but I always backed off tractor brakes 3/4 turn that way trailer won't pass you as easy on slick surfaces.And you must release brakes to adjust and make sure wheels are chocked.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Leland 11-21-2004 00:50:09 65.143.147.72 11741 Report to Moderator	Re: Adjusting air brakes in reply to Can't even use my name, 11-19-2004 15:45:20   What are you adjusting brakes on if it is a mack there slack adjusters you spin counter clock wise to tighten up brakes. But running them down on trailer and backing off1/2 is ok but I always backed off tractor brakes 3/4 turn that way trailer won't pass you as easy on slick surfaces.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Thanks fellas 11-20-2004 05:59:23 216.241.134.62 11725 Report to Moderator	Re: Adjusting air brakes in reply to Can't even use my name, 11-19-2004 15:45:20   Thanks for the input fellas, just needed to know how far to back them off.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Les 11-19-2004 23:02:04 24.64.223.204 11722 Report to Moderator	Re: Adjusting air brakes in reply to Can't even use my name, 11-19-2004 15:45:20   To add to what the others have said, the pushrod and slack adjuster should be at 90 degrees with the brakes applied. I always set them a little tighter than that because as the drums heat up and expand your brake travel increases.If I recall, a type 30 brake chamber has about 2 1/2 inchs travel so if you keep it to around 1 inch it leaves a fare bit in reserve before the DOT shakes a finger at you.... Good brakes are the cheapist insurance you can buy!   [Reply]  [No Email]
fred kobs 11-19-2004 17:05:10 207.177.45.43 11711 Report to Moderator	Re: Adjusting air brakes in reply to Can't even use my name, 11-19-2004 15:45:20   Hey, Can't, if they are manual slack adjusters, sounds like what you are describing, all the way down to the drum and back off 1/2 turn is very close for drive axles and trailer brakes. I think the "out of adjustment" is 1 1/2" total stroke. You can check by using a pry bar and tape measure from the can. Word of advise, be sure you are turning the cam towards the drum because if you go too far the wrong way it's possible to knock the rollers out of the shoes. Had a newbie at the shop at@ 1AM one night prove that to me. Fred   [Reply]  [Send Email]
G-MAN 11-19-2004 16:00:34 67.52.48.10 11710 Report to Moderator	Re: Adjusting air brakes in reply to Can't even use my name, 11-19-2004 15:45:20   I believe the DOT boys measure how far the end of the slack-adjuster actually travels, because if the brakes are excessively worn, they can technically be "in adjustment" but still travel too far. Or at least that's the way I seem to remember it. I went to school to work on trucks, but 3 months of working on them for my co-op quarter at tech school firmly convinced me that I didn't want to work on them full-time, lol. I haven't worked on trucks for years, but we always adjusted the slacks up until the shoes were solid against the drums and then backed them off about 1/4 turn or so.   [Reply]  [No Email]