ELYRIA, Ohio — Commercial vehicle braking systems are vital to driver and highway safety year-round, And that is even more important in winter, when road and weather conditions across North America make it even more imperative to have properly maintained components at the wheel-ends.
This installment of the Bendix Tech Tips Series focuses on preventive maintenance practices to keep brakes in good working condition when cold, snow and ice are the order of the day.
“Safety systems like full-stability and collision mitigation can be valuable on winter roads. But they perform at their best only when the brakes at the wheel-ends are also in peak condition to deliver stopping power,” said Keith McComsey, director of marketing and customer solutions, Wheel-End, at Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake. The foundation is a joint venture between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC. and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC.
“The right preventive maintenance practices can make all the difference,” he concluded.
Take a Good Look
Inspect air brake chamber housings for damage or corrosion, and ensure that dust plugs are properly installed and seated. On air-disc-braked wheel-ends, check for cuts or tears on the protective boots.
“What you’re looking for here is anything that could allow corrosive materials to take hold,” McComsey explained. “Not just water, but things like harsh chemicals used to treat winter roads. Excessive corrosion of the chamber can lead to failure of the housing. Ripped or punctured boots can allow contaminants and moisture to get into an air disc brake caliper, causing corrosion and long-term damage.”
Air disc brake guide pins should also be inspected for slidability, and the shear adaptor cover needs to be in place and fully seated. Preparing air disc brakes for winter weather also means checking that the pads move freely in the carrier. If not, remove them and clean the carrier surface with a wire brush. Then make sure the brake moves freely on its guidance system, which should be replaced if the movement is restricted.
Lessons in Lubrication
Effective lubrication is key in combating winter corrosion, particularly when it comes to automatic slack adjusters (ASA), advised McComsey.
“When you force new lubricant into an ASA, you’re achieving two goals,” he said. “First, you’re purging the old grease, along with any water or contaminants that found their way in. Second, you’re protecting the adjuster’s internal gear sets, clutches and other components from wear.”
Lubricating an ASA is simple, requiring a technician to just locate the adjuster’s grease fitting, attach the hose from a grease gun, and inject new grease until old grease is forced through the release opening. (The release location varies, depending on the ASA make and model.) The process should take less than a minute per adjuster.
Slack adjusters that don’t receive regular greasing may not maintain the correct brake stroke and provide optimal stopping power—which is a direct impact on safety.
Clevis pin connections, cam tubes, shafts, and bushings should also be lubricated to keep winter moisture at bay and prevent corrosion.
“Truck drivers have a lot to watch out for when they’re out on the roads in winter,” McComsey said. “The right wheel-end practices in the shop can help deliver peace of mind when it comes to their brakes.”
Information in the Bendix Tech Tips series are in the Bendix multimedia center at www.knowledge-dock.com. Further instructional videos and interactive training on wheel-end technologies are at the Bendix On-Line Brake School, www.brake-school.com. For more information on wheel-end maintenance, contact the Bendix Tech Team at 800-AIR-BRAKE.
About the Bendix Tech Tips Series
Bendix, the North American leader in the development and manufacture of leading-edge active safety, air management, and braking system technologies, is committed to helping keep commercial vehicles on the road and in good working condition. The Bendix Tech Tips series addresses common commercial vehicle maintenance questions and issues concerning the total range of components that are found within foundation and air brake systems, as well as advanced safety systems.
About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC.
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a member of the Knorr-Bremse Group, develops and supplies leading-edge active safety technologies, energy management solutions, air brake charging systems, control systems and components under the Bendix brand name. They are for medium- and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, trailers, buses and other commercial vehicles throughout North America.
An industry pioneer, employing more than 3,200 people, Bendix is driven to deliver solutions for improved vehicle safety, performance and overall operating cost. Contact us at 800-AIR-BRAKE (800-247-2725) or visit bendix.com. Stay connected and informed through Bendix expert podcasts, blog posts, videos and other resources at www.knowledge-dock.com. Follow Bendix on Twitter at twitter.com/Bendix_CVS. Log on and learn from the Bendix experts at www.brake-school.com.
About Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, LLC.
Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, LLC. (BSFB) combines and expands the complementary wheel-end foundation brake technologies of two global leaders—Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC. and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC. The joint venture, formed in July 2004, is a single, complete source for OEM brake system design, manufacturing, hardware. The venture also provides support for all foundation brake components and actuation systems, plus all-makes coverage of nearly 50,000 medium- and heavy-duty aftermarket parts. Contact 866-610-9709 or visit www.foundationbrakes.com. Stay connected and informed through Bendix expert podcasts, blog posts, videos and other resources at www.knowledge-dock.com. Follow Bendix on Twitter at twitter.com/Bendix_CVS. Log on and learn from the Bendix experts at www.brake-school.com.
