Brake troubles

[daddysgirl]

Craig and Cliff make a good point I have never considered. Every time I take the bus for any kind of service, checking/adjusting the brakes is always on the list. I know how they feel and I would know if that feeling changed. BUT...I have never done it myself.
Looks like I've got some reading to do. Thanks for making the point

[Scott & Heather]

You don't want to be messing with your slack adjusters unless you are fully aware of what you're doing. Overly tightening them could cause a brake to drag and start a fire. Adjusting them with your parking brake applied isn't proper. I had some serious braking issues this past year. This is what caused them:

1. Oil seals leaking soaking shoes and diminishing brake performance. Oil seals replaced, brake shoes replaced. Drums thoroughly cleaned
2. Previous owner installed brake S cams backwards on both tax axles. (forehead smack). Re-installed properly and brakes adjusted
3. Blown diaphragm on drive axle curbside. Replaced entire can.

Those three things all were a bad combo and created a dangerous braking situation for me. It was resolved...but labor and parts ended up costing nearly $3000. But it's not just me in danger if I lose brakes...it's all of the innocent people on the road in front of me who are at least expecting I'll keep my braking and steering systems in safe working order.

[daddysgirl]

I understand your point. I should have explained myself more thoroughly.
I would not simply review the manual, take the tires off and start adjusting. I will review the manual and have the bus regular inspection mechanic show me what needs to be done, exactly. I do know not to adjust brakes with the emergency brake on.

And I feel the pain you were forced to endure. Unfortunately, I am more aware of what happens when seals leak than I ever needed to be

[Jim Eh.]

Maybe not restrict oneself to the study of just the brake system but to study the entire air system as they are closely related and problems in one area can affect other areas sometimes with catastrophic results.

[Scott & Heather]

Daddysgirl
Lol, my post wasn't a response to you, it was a response to Aaron the original poster. As much as you've been around buses with your father I'd be willing to bet you know quite a bit more than I do about them. I don't know the OP very well and was just concerned that they were adjusting slack adjusters on the fly to help with braking when likely there is something else going on.


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