How To Correctly Adjust Air Brakes On A Semi Truck

[@Stanley_Furley]

2022 Freightliner Cascadia....first trip from CGY to VAN smoked drives due to faulty S/A..........

[@smartdrivetest]

Was there smoke or any indication that the duals were dragging? I had a brand new International drop the drive shaft hanger bearing out leaving me on the side of #17 Hwy in New York. Cheers Rick

[@Stanley_Furley]

@@smartdrivetest Oh there was smoke, alright. I am a very experienced CDL driver and picked the unit up brand new in CGY from the dealership. This was the first trip PERIOD with a load for this tractor, I always six-pack when hooking a new trailer just for the very reasons you described in your video to help prevent any possible situations. However, in this instance there was not noticeable drag coming from any brake. I must admit that I take pride in my ability to jake and use proper gears (even in auto-shift transmisions) when descending grades, so I seldom even touch my brakes. I was coming down the west side of Rogers Pass and made a "snub" application to break my momentum and soon had a cloud of brake smoke trailing me. I was stunned as there was no previous indications of anything hanging. The importance of using your other senses (feel, smell, etc) can not be over stated when dealing with brake systems. I am always amazed at how oblivious some drivers are to how hot their brakes can get in very short order as they continue on their merry way. I may not always follow all the traffic laws, but I ALWAYS respect the Law of Gravity (Physic 101) when driving and am on full alert. This event shocked me at the severity and swiftness to how this happen. STAY ALERT Drivers.

[@smartdrivetest]

Thanks for the full story Dale. Yes, I hear you about Traffic Laws vs. the Laws of Gravity. In the mountains, those grade signs can save your life. And you're correct, it takes all your senses to drive a vehicle safely. Going downhill is similar to driving on slippery conditions. When braking, you want to be looking in the mirrors to see what that trailers doing. What's happening back there and where is that trailer going? As I told my students, "the truck my pull the trailer, but the trailer drives the truck." I never had an auto slack apply the brakes. Lots that went out of adjustment and had to be replaced though. Great story my friend. All the very best, Cheers Rick

[@rp1645]

Thank you for the two 3 pump test. I will try it on my 1971 SeaGrave Fire Engine that I have for Restoration. Great information for my old baby Kids get in cab pretending to be a Fire Engine Driver. I love the smile on there faces.

[@smartdrivetest]

Hi R P - And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick

[@blackericdenice]

Does it have slack adjuster?

[@denisegaylord8809]

Having a brake application gauge in a truck would be nice. Most trucks today do not come with that gauge installed. Instead we have to rely on the tank air pressure gauge, to see a drop in air pressure. I also keep my window open so that I can hear the air being released.

[@blackericdenice]

If you can’t hear the air brakes release with the windows up, you need to get your hearing check

[@christopherkane2842]

Great job buddy- mechanical engineering & what was your is your dissertation? Automotive industry? Really great job especially as an engineer being down to earth simply elaborating the basics.

[@livinggmyblindlife432]

Great video again this week I love the information in this video

[@smartdrivetest]

Hi Mallory Atkinson - And you are most welcome. We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick

[@livinggmyblindlife432]

@@smartdrivetest thank you and you’re welcome

[@ninonicebx]

Great information as always.

[@smartdrivetest]

Hi Nino - We're happy to hear we could help out. If there is anything further we can do, drop us a note. Always happy to help. All the best, Cheers Rick

[@jaysmith1408]

Had a trailer lock up, blew a tyre before I could get off the road. Called the tyre truck for a change, they got the new one on, but was still dragging. Had to call a different truck to get the brakes released since they were disks. Mothership told be screw it and bobtail back.

[@eyadomar9367]

😂 Explode into a firing fermions lol

[@blackericdenice]

This is 100% bull shook. If the slack adjusters were working. You would not need to do anything. Also, if the brakes are out of adjustment. You are going to get maxima travel anyway.

[@smartdrivetest]

And how do you know that my friend? Cheers Rick

[@blackericdenice]

@@smartdrivetest Stop and think about how automatic slack adjusters work. They are design to keep brake shoes close to the drum. If they are not doing that. They are bad.