Worn Slack Adjusters?

[ChuckMC8]

My 102C3 brakes are more of a suggestion than a command, So I sent  it to the shop for the pros...they pulled the drive wheels and the components are OK but said the slack adjusters on the drive are really sloppy. All the slacks on rest of wheels are properly adjusted, but the bus still just coasts to a stop. Good air pressure, etc. Any ideas? Thanks

[gus]

Did they mean the slack adjusters or the cams/wedges inside the drum?

Cams or wedges are not all that expensive but a lot of work to install.

Buses at speed don't often come to a screeching halt no matter how good the brakes.

[luvrbus]

The only way to stop what you are discriping is change the brake shoes to a harder shoe I have the soft shoe also and like it since getting to know it better nice smooth stop they were design to have a soft stop for passengers unlike the truck type shoe


good luck

[jok]

I was not happy with the brake performance on my Prevost last year. It is a 1990 and had only 50,000+ original miles. All the shoes looked good, but I replaced the shoes on the rear and it is now a stopping monster. I had replaced the front slack adjusters earlier in the year because of a "clunking" noise, which did not change brake performance either way.

jok

[belfert]

I had the drums and shoes on my bus replaced by a bus garage shortly after I bought my bus.  I nearly put myself through the windshield the first time I hit the brakes after leaving the shop.  The braking was much better.

They did have to replace one actuator or slack adjuster up front as it was shot.

[TomC]

Many times what looks to be a sloppy slack adjuster, is the S cam bushing being worn out keeping from getting a proper wheel adjustment.

For stopping power, softer shoes will make for more agressive stopping, but less resistance to heat. Harder linings work better with higher heat, but typically require more pedal pressure.  For our use, just stay with the standard gray block-you'll be the happiest. Good Luck, TomC