How to calibrate automatic slack adjusters

Every truck driver should know how an automatic slack adjuster work for drums brakes systems and be able to calibrate it from the cab of his truck. This procedure only takes a few minutes to do and help prevent faster brakes wear. This video will show you the importance of doing it and how to do it.
If you want to know more about heavy vehicule driving training: cftc.qc.ca/circuit

[@CB-el3sv]

Everyone's a fkg expert all the sudden. The illustration and explanation for this procedure is good. If you don't understand it or it's beyond your level of mechanical inclination.. DO NOT! service your own brakes.

[@ArsonistArborist]

What’s there to understand? You’re literally pressing on the brakes 6 times

[@utubes-cks]

As a truck mechanic of 35yrs, this will work for a rough adjustment, but you can't beat a professional physically checking to guaranty the brakes are right. There are too many parts invovled to rely on just the automatic adjusters.

[@elinoreberkley1643]

teach me my master! I really would like to repair trucks one day.

[@utubes-cks]

@@elinoreberkley1643 don't know about the master bit. I'm just an old-school nut and bolt man. Unfortunately, kids coming out of tech schools are real good with the computer part of the job, but totally useless when it comes to basic repairs.

[@tylerdunn6578]

Automatic adjusters are a death sentence I’m my opinion manual slack adjusters are better because there are to many semi trucks out there that are not adjusted correctly. Companies get away with responsibility of problems with the breaks on there truck because they give driver a card that allows the driver to adjust them when most drivers can’t do the task so make companies do the adjustment there selves don’t take a card because your excepting responsibility of the accident you just had from faulty break adjustment stand up for yourself no one else will

[@utubes-cks]

That's a weird rant. First off there's no way a truck with bad brakes is gonna be on the road long. Bad brakes are the #1 pet peeve at all way stations. Using all of mine and your fingers and toes wouldn't add up to the number of times I had to haul a bunch of different brake shoes to the middle of nowhere to fix a red tagged truck. Add to that the liability laws, and most trucking companies are pretty carefull about truck maintenance.

[@tylerdunn6578]

@@utubes-cks your entitled to your opinion but I have worked for companies that try and do that to there employees just so if they don’t stop in time blaming driver I won’t sign anything of the sort making me responsible for adjustment of breaks it’s a liability thing I’ve been trained to adjust breaks worked in shop installing breaks ,slack adjusters, chambers but it’s not your job as a driver unless you own your own equipment is the only way I’d do that. You must be a corporate kiss ass so have a nice day!

[@user-ro6ij2ew8d]

참고가 만이되네요 감사합니다.

[@reddawg6562]

Great video for understanding the operation of the automatic slack adjuster

[@hiwaabdulhaq3465]

Thanks for good explanations

[@michaelchason9170]

Thank you. Thought they self adjusted when backing up and stopping. Sure needed to learn this. Annual inspection ( law,once a year) is supposed to check adjustment, even though some didn't know what to look for. Perfect video.

[@kingofcrunk4237]

I have to admit I thought 'adjusting the brakes' was something one did with a wrench or two.

[@JamesFlynn-np7sq]

You are confusing light vehicle drums with Class B & Class A air brakes. In a car or truck, the "star wheel" will turn and ratchet if working properly, to spread the brake shoes. The shoes are loosely mounted to the backing plate, allowing them to twist a bit with the change of direction. In a commercial vehicle, this will not happen. The "S-cam" is the only thing that can spread the brake shoes, the shoes are mounted very well on fixed hinges, not the spring clips like passenger vehicles. The slack adjusting takes place inside the arm connecting the "S-cam" rotation movement to the push rod.

[@christopher9626]

Great video and much appreciated. I also enjoyed that little device that measures the stroke during the application. is that on every brake chamber or is it moved around to each one. I used to mark the push rod with a marker and then go check each one with a ruler.

[@user-gy3tn2xt6h]

I am a Diesel Mechanic and Driver. This is a Good illustration for those that don't know. But I prefer to do this after I manually adjust them.

[@chandhusatheesan1424]

Are you studied iti or diploma

[@TheRoadhammer379]

DOT says if you are manually adjusting automatic slack adjusters, the slack adjusters are no longer working. Hence automatic...

[@lesschattermoresplatter5769]

With the old slack adjusters you tighten then back off a 1/4 turn, how would you back off self adjusters if you tighten them?

[@labourlawact7826]

I'm also a diesel mechanic and a driver. Those self adjusting brakes don't work for long on a new trailer, then they become manual adjustable...

[@darfrank6165]

@@labourlawact7826 you are not suspost too adjust automatic slacks if you're out of adjustment there is a problem.

[@yerfillinois8254]

Great video. I learned alot

[@rodelyriche7922]

It’s very good this animation helping people to understand clearly

[@ronelsay8237]

Tnx for good and clearly 😉 explanation

[@gilbertosilva5369]

Gracias por enseñarnos a muchos camioneros de todo el mundo las nuevas tecnologías y como ajustar los frenos créanlo salvan vidas god bless

[@jocelynpoirier5536]

Très beau support pédagogique. Bravo à l'équipe du CFTC

[@nagarajuab7593]

👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋👋

[@ascott6804]

If ild never been around air brakes and stumbled onto this vid, ild know more than most pilot mechanics. I've been fixing their scew ups for way too long.... ...in THEIR parking lot!! Lol

[@user-ro6ij2ew8d]

감사합니다.

[@khankhan-zr5ij]

very very good explanation

[@orangefoster2210]

WOW! That was awesome! Much appreciated mate!

[@dionst.michael1482]

🇨🇦 Thank you kindly from Canada 🇨🇦

[@jeffearnest3269]

Thank you for your information

[@rfm2492]

Buenos días amigo, e visto camión cascadia, con sistema de frenos en disco, pregunta?? Tiene el mismo frenado es seguro??? Saludos

[@luich2275]

Too many experts in here commenting, we are all drivers and we do what we think it’s better for our trucks, not a bad video we just do things different because we’re being doing it for years and it works for us

[@fuzznutz7182]

Learning the improper way to do something does not constitute a reason to continue doing so. In fact you could find yourself or someone else in a pine box. Don't be a moron.

[@nighthiker8872]

GREAT! awesome, much appreciated.

[@mohamedatef2384]

Thanks very much

[@cliffnelson1174]

I pump my brakes 6 to 8 times when cold to adjust my brakes.

[@timgiles9413]

while applying 90psi of application brake pressure. That's what I do.

[@curiousgeorge5992]

Experienced this in manual slack adjusters, worn stripped adjuster collar,,,,

[@potienniyigena9985]

Thank you so much ❤️

[@mekanikobisdak4490]

Automatic slack adjuster.nice

[@mdmosarofhossin391]

Nice video.

[@maxkallio3723]

very informative video

[@bsnteluguvideos1958]

As per my knowledge, for parking brakes air pressure is always available in the brake chambers and when we applied parking brake, the air goes out of the chamber and the parking brakes apply

[@wb3161]

Right. Air pressure releases the parking brake and no air pressure allows a spring to apply the parking brake. On the other part of the brake chamber air pressure from your brake pedal applies the brakes when stopping on the road. Realistically these slack adjusters adjust the shoes every time you push the brake if needed so this video is not completely true

[@JasonTAho]

@@wb3161 great explanation, and spot on. Theoretically, these systems maintain proper adjustment thru normal use, if that is NOT the case, further diagnostics are needed

[@wb3161]

@@JasonTAho thanks man

[@cbmech2563]

They are not technically parking brakes. They are spring brakes that require at least 60lbs of air to release. When air is exhausted from the spring chamber you will get the equivalent of a 60lb application on the axle with the spring brake cans, on tractor usually only 1axle.

[@yardlimit8695]

@@wb3161 AMEN. my thoughts exactly............so if a truck starts out with good brakes, good drums, good s cam bushings and all the rest, you should have equal braking with automatic slack adjusters............i guess in some respects auto slacks are better than the hand adjusted type , but not the perfect answer if that many trucks were put out of service to to brake adjustments..........JUST MORE USELESS GOV'T REGULATIONS THAT DON'T REALLY WORK............PROPAGANDA AND MORE EXPENSE FOR EVERY PART THAT MAKES UP AN ALREADY EXPENSIVE TRUCK TRAILER COMBO.......

[@SmartEngineersOfficial]

Nice information

[@salkhumurmu714]

Nice

[@MJ-Free]

Thank you.

[@felixjohn3704]

Thanks 👏👏👏👏

[@Hitman-ds1ei]

Clear as mud but what problem are you referring to that may still exist exactly?

[@michaeltrinkle4197]

Slacks work fine if all the parts are where they are suppose to be.like kotter keys in the pins connecting slack to the rod an springs on the shoes.providing the slacks an shaft have been properly greased . if brakes are to far out of adjustment the slack wont adjust them up.they must be adjusted manually.snug em up an back 1/4 to 1/2 turn an recheck later.if out again find out why.slack in picture has a pawl inside an must pull button out some to back off.if pawl is turned backward it will always back off an never adjust up.stan had very good comments.

[@user-gy3tn2xt6h]

Saves time

[@johnricciojr.5324]

Thankyou

[@johnchristal2910]

Good Mr

[@lalmohanhansda349]

Good

[@robertdufresne9195]

This is the Rockwell ,however there is the old manual adjust ,they are not the same. Max is 2 inch travel . I always adjust at half inch travel cold on manual . Rockwell ,you should leave alone . Half inch wrench is needed ,and you can't back them off without taking it apart. Don't do it , you may loose parts. In BC Canada ,drivers must learn to adjust their own brakes through the mountains at a brake check. It the law. I'm a driver for 30 yrs. In BC.

[@justinbustin677]

Always bsck off a half turn. Never witnessed a slack self adjusting. Hell might do, but i prefer doing snd see for myself!

[@justinbustin677]

Im talking at 3:13 where it say let it self adjust. And I said fuck that. After i install new shoe or slacks, I will manually set it. Especially if its slack with inner cam bushing bracket with adjuster pin.

[@texassfinest114]

This is basically a service brakes test 💁🏻‍♂️ I do this every morning

[@BoogerDeluxe22]

bro i've seen you just hop in the truck and drive away

[@texassfinest114]

@@BoogerDeluxe22 😂😂😂 shhhh 🤫

[@rameshkalasua5205]

आपको ऐसी विडियो बनाने के लिए धन्यवाद पूरा एयर ब्रेक सिस्टम को समझाए

[@stoneybrowning8426]

Not sure about all states but everything after 1996 in Oklahoma has to have auto slack adjusters.

[@Respect_The_Hustle226]

That is called a 6 pack adjustment make sure your slacks are greased they also have to include ABS lights in this video as I noticed drivers don’t know a lot of information about how it works.

[@tyronetripod8536]

is there a way to calibrate drum brakes on an 84 cutlass? i just replaced all the front pads and rear drum shoes springs etc and now the brakes are really touchy and grabby , especially i think one of the rear crums, it grabs hard and locks up easily

[@KyleNelson279]

This is for brakes operated by compressed air. Mostly used in commercial vehicles....

[@TheRoadhammer379]

I added a link that will walk you through the adjustment of hydraulic drum brakes

[@fuckjewtube69]

Yes you tightened the rear brake adjustment too much. Need to loosen like 3 clicks and try again.

[@friedchicken1]

It doesn't mention it but I'm assuming all of this has to be done with the engine on

[@LV_Lab]

Yes, i think the pneumatic pressure is off when the truck is off

[@martinborgonia3569]

@@LV_Lab As a mechanic, you can still use the brakes as long as there is air is stored in the reservoirs. Or the park brake will apply automatically when there is no air in the system anymore. You do need the engine to recharge the air in the system.

[@LV_Lab]

@@martinborgonia3569 You are right. But in order to calibrate you need the engine on, right? Just to be sure you have pressure all the time

[@martinborgonia3569]

@@LV_Lab Sure! Insufficient air pressure would have effect

[@miguelaguirre5720]

@@LV_Lab engine does not have to be running. Never heard of a discharge line?

[@bc5187]

Where do I get that tool on 2:47?

[@gerardodominguez4235]

Esas matracas son autoajustables, y realmente no vi algo respecto a cómo calibrarlas, yo ajustaba pero las manuales, les giraba el tornillo, hasta que pegaba, y la regresaba un cuarto de vuelta

[@adriannewman1322]

Hell now a lot of the newer trucks and trailers are coming out with disc brakes instead of drum brakes

[@labourlawact7826]

I drove them 18 wheelers. They do have self adjusting brakes. You must adjust it yourself...

[@danygarcia6172]

Cuantas beses ay k oprimir el pedal o besibersa el palancon podrias relatarlo en español

[@josealjandrogarcia7144]

Las veces que tú quieres, 4 o 5 es suficiente, las demás no hacen nada, recuerda que el camión tiene que estar calzado y los frenos libres si no están libres no se ajustan y si no ajustan revisa tus balatas tálvez las tengas que remplazar, suerte

[@esdelag]

Do you need to turn the engine on or off to perform the breaks adjustment?

[@cftc-centredeformationentr9928]

Hi, You can do the procedure when the engine is off, but if you do it when the engine is on, the system will charge itself with air.

[@raulrojasmendoza5176]

esdelag off but need to have enough air on tanks over 100 psi

[@vin605]

@@cftc-centredeformationentr9928 I'm assuming the same thing happen while driving

[@modulartransportation168]

@@vin605 So if you are a cautious driver then the light applications of the brake may not adjust the auto adjusters properly. In the video they state that a "full application of the pedal" is necessary to "properly adjust the automatic slack adjusters. Hope this helps.

[@vin605]

@@modulartransportation168 if "pressing the brakes hard" makes the adjustments you would have a binding brake situation after every hard braking . Automatic slack adjuster make the adjustments while the brake lining wears, the slack adjuster do it automatically and maintenance enuff space between the brake drum and lining to prevent binding whether applying the brake hard of soft.

[@estebanc.m.6039]

Me gustaría k los vidios sean con traduccion

[@volodumurshalay1003]

☝️👍

[@pmwila4932]

Asante

[@al-b7891]

dont skip the step were you choke the wheels.

[@jasonramirez1533]

How can I get permission to use this video?

[@cftc-centredeformationentr9928]

You can use this video on youtube. If you want more informations, you can communicate with Sylvain Labrie. ([e-mail])

[@user-ui5fq8yq5j]

😎✌️

[@j.manuelcharriez8115]

👍🏻

[@sajeevkumarpanikar2904]

👍

[@AlexD-fq5zm]

Not fully true. I have a volvo and the parking brake is only applies on the forward drive as it is the only axle with a 30/30 chamber. Rear is a single 30 and fronts are type 20 ... So Applying brakes in the means of a solid 3 pumps build pressure again then 3 pumps also known as a 6 pack

[@CB-el3sv]

I don't understand what you're talking about but as long as the parking brakes are released, this procedure should work on all slack adjusters

[@AlexD-fq5zm]

@@CB-el3sv it says All the brakes are applied with parking brake not true

[@warphonesS22]

Nice to drive for Swift. Every trailer inspected every 6 months and trucks 30,000 miles. Plus a decent pre/post trip will catch these defects. Find a bad trailer? Reject it, notify Swift. On top of that we get to bypass 9 out of 10 scales due to an excellent equipment reputation and honest dot conformity. But with 60,000 trailers in service. You are bound to find countless defective trailers. DO YOUR PRE TRIPS ALWAYS.

[@donmunro144]

Every 6 months is no where near enough. Our equipment is inspected every 60 days. And considering the quality of some Swift drivers, I'd be nervous about drop and hook. That trailer might get 70,000 plus miles between inspections. I used to do a lot of drop and hook. Got tired of finding junk equipment.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Your accident safety records should be enough to put SWIFT out of business. Do you enjoy working for a meager income, they are a bottom feeder company.

[@warphonesS22]

@@TheRoadhammer379 with 60,000 trailers over 20,000 trucks USA Canada and Mexico. The accident percentage is very low. Below 3%. Now if you look at smaller companies who have a fleet of maybe 5 drivers. And only one crashes. That's 20% way higher than swift. And if you look at an owner operator that owns his own company and crashed that's 100% accident. Now driving around USA I see tons and tons of other company trucks crashed in ditches fucked up bumpers. I have yet to see one swift. Now obviously with 20,000 trucks they are going to get publicized more often than any single other company. I went from working at Walmart to driving for swift. I went from $12.50hr to $31.25hr. I didn't expect a million bucks just starting driving. But swift gave me a foot into the door as not a single other company would take the chance with brand new drivers. I'm making well over $60,000 my first year. And my biggest complaint is other companies and individual owners operators need to learn common courtesy and how to drive..... everyone makes swift look good.......

[@Sinerwray]

My company do it every 30 days

[@warphonesS22]

@@Sinerwray Swift has 20,000 trucks and 60,000 trailers. How many does your company have?

[@cbmech2563]

A rather complicated way of explaining the way auto slacks work. If they are out of adjustment when you pull it off the road and into the shop then you have some bad slacks and nothing you do at this point is going to make a difference. Doing a BIT inspection I role under with the brakes applied, and if they are out of adjustment I'll go back and adjust them, and schedule them for replacement. Better slacks will adjust up as the drums expand and then back of when they cool down.

[@Bendigo1]

If someone uses light brake pressure for a long time they can come out of adjustment because they are not clicking over to the next step. Every time i start a trip i give the brake pedal down 3 times hard enough to allow them to self adjust then check to make sure they adjusted and they aren't bad.

[@marlonfigueroa2540]

Hola 🤝👍🚘😱

[@etran9036]

❤❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍

[@chrishull9202]

I just have one question. What is a “vehicule”? And where can I get one? Ok. Two questions

[@TheRoadhammer379]

No need to be an asshole

[@iusedyourtowel6765]

Yeah. That's the first thing that I thought, too. I know it's because English is that Mexican's second language, but it makes me doubt the rest of the information found in this video.

[@ahmedshabbir8361]

What's six pack?

[@gregorywilliams3769]

I think it makes for sure your brake peddle has enough airflow to each brake Chambers

[@cesarconh895]

I do this procedure while the truck is in reverse.

[@pepejimenez5324]

To earn a descent pay check.

[@julieverma1865]

Don't put your truck in cold weather and if you do carry a bottle of rubbing acholo and add it to the air break percent them from freezing up

[@joeakopian9613]

Engin off key on then push and hold brake pedal

[@johnsiders7819]

Better yet I have my mechanic remove them when they stop working and we train my drivers how to adjust the manual slack adjusters most already know how to do this I have allot of older old school drivers I do heavy haul and they are good at solving minor problems like this hard to find young ones that know much of any thing now days like how to drive my 5+4 transmission and the supers have a 4 speed auxiliary box older V 8 cats and still have 12V 92 TTAs out there a far cry from those useless ultra shift units and puny power .

[@AngelGarcia-hk5jw]

I otrla cosa si vas bajando Tien q esta con lo camio. En 3 cn El jerco brakes I noas de 40 migaje yo soy de Puerto Rico. En Puerto Rico no es fasi

[@danielww9022]

This method will not reveal a worn or stripped auto adjuster. For you drop-and-hook guys out there, you are especially subject to hooking a trailer with bad wagon brakes that another driver has stripped. Remember, you can't (should not) back the auto slack adjusters off a short turn because you could eat up the ratchet gearing.

[@dwightlyon3643]

According to the Feds if you're not certified to adjust the brakes , your not suppose to touch them . That being said you not only need to keep an eye on the slack adjusters, but you also need to keep an eye on the S cams, the s cam bushings and other related parts. I worked in a fleet garage and did brake jobs on tractors and trailers that were only needed because the last guy didn't replace cam bushings and s cams that should have been replace top shoe less than half worn and the bottom shoe rivets dragging grooves in the drum. And they wonder why the brakes sucked! Do the job right.

[@danielww9022]

@@dwightlyon3643 All true. However, Cottonwood scales (California) let me tighten up, even though I'm not licensed to turn a wrench. What's crazy is that many companies won't pay brake tickets, which puts the wrench in the driver's hands & therefore violates the law. On that note, do you know I might obtain that certification to turn a ⁹/16 wrench?

[@dwightlyon3643]

@@danielww9022 back when I was still in it. The fleet garages were able to run a 25-20 minute clinic and then issue the certificate. As a driver I was grandfathered in because I was was driving before the CDL days . But I was also certified as a Master Heavy Truck Mechanic in Michigan only three of us in the Mack Dealership out of 8 mechanics had the Master license. . But back to the point that's a better question to be asking in the Safety Dept of whatever state your in.

[@elsamuelito3515]

hola

[@cherokeerookie8973]

Skip to 2:19

[@phillipgarrow2297]

When they work there good but when they don't I would rather have the old slack adusters

[@thebell313]

The thing is you can not always trust this method since there are many parts that can fail.

[@FusionKota]

Yep, when doing this it's good to occasionally have someone measuring the stroke of the clevis to make sure they are all working properly. Sometimes the clutches in them wear out and you'll have a rod that's extended waaay to far out. Some techs I know just re adjust them and call it "OK to run" in reality the adjuster was worn out and it'll go back to being an X on a DOT inspection on the side of the road

[@joshuadakin4247]

Preventative maintenance

[@keilveil9153]

how to adjust an adjuster that adjusts an adjustment

[@user-jy5bl3gm3q]

베리긋입니다

[@kflashcarr888]

Skip till 3:00

[@jadams736]

I hate auto slacks half the time they don't readjust especially if u off road

[@dieseltechie7830]

Not really calibration, just trying to force the pushrod out to the next ratchet point on the clutch or pawl.

[@Bendigo1]

More of an adjustment than a calibration.

[@AngelGarcia-hk5jw]

Todo la manana Tien q ajustalo por q.secalinte sesueta ate de it atrabaja Tien q ajustalo por secalite see suertan no te orvida. Ante de irte atrabajar ajustalo see calite no va aparal no es fasi

[@CanadianBullFrog]

The spelling error for vehicle is so weird

[@vin605]

Step 1 chock your wheels

[@mdimonhasan7091]

Emon

[@wb3161]

Automatic slack adjusters adjust the brakes if needed every time you press the brake pedal even while driving

[@joedirt9600]

Yes sir, but what most people forget is to lube the pins. A seized pin will not let the slack adjuster do its thing.

[@penniesfromheaven2511]

This statement is not 100% true. I daily drive a flatbed with air brakes and run mostly empty. Because I use the Jake brake, the brakes get little use and only lightly. The slacks won’t adjust unless I apply full brake pedal 5-8 times, or adjust them manually.

[@timgiles9413]

@@penniesfromheaven2511 yep, for sure. I adjust mine every morning with 90 psi applied brake pressure 3 times because I always use my Jake and not my (service) brakes.

[@mygreenz1000]

Stock up on air cans especially on internationals...

[@donmunro144]

If you're constantly blowing out brake chambers, you're over stroking them. In 7 hundred thousand miles, I've changed 3 chambers. Don't say its an international problem. A type 30 is the same regardless of what truck its on.

[@digambershinde8227]

हिंदुस्तान लोडर माहिती

[@DJSTOEK]

🙂😷😷

[@wickeddodgeboys6603]

vehicules

[@GarryReyom]

I did this once and an air cap popped off

[@hayzeproductions7093]

Not one single step included wheel chocks.

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Really, I think it's self explanatory but then again, most people are borderline retards.

[@crocbaitaussie5204]

Under no circumstances is it ok for anyone but a mechanic to touch brake adjusters in Australia

[@Notthisguyeither]

As an old school American driver I can't imagine not adjusting my own brakes

[@user-wx5bq3ww3s]

0:38

[@tichaclinton762]

Mi