Brake Adjustments

[GnarlyBus]

I'd like to get under the bus and adjust the slack adjusters (assuming they're manual because I've yet to get under there and verify) on the drive and tag axles. In the maintenance manual (see attached) it says to do it with the wheels jacked up. I was thinking of building ramps to drive onto so I could get under the bus and grease zerks and check the differential fluid while I'm down there. Do I need to have the wheels off the ground to adjust the brakes? It would be nice to be able to spin the wheel and listen for dragging shoes.

I understand the process for brake adjustments. I also understand the need for safety when getting under the bus.

[Utahclaimjumper]

Use your ramps for the maint. work and just use a bottle jack to lift one wheel at a time to adjust the slacks.>>>Dan

[richard5933]

I asked the same question last season. Here's the thread: https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/forum/index.php?topic=33278.msg379101#msg379101

[GnarlyBus]

I asked the same question last season. Here's the thread: https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/forum/index.php?topic=33278.msg379101#msg379101

Perfect. Thanks!

[buswarrior]

You want to know what you are starting with for brake stroke, and whether they need any adjustment.

If they are auto slacks, they are broken, if they need adjustment.

If they are autos, each model has different procedures for install and set-up. There are some that will be broken by throwing a wrench on them the wrong way.

Measure the stroke before and measure it after, and then as times go by, you will have a clear idea as to whether it's time or not.

And a newbie catches themselves backing it off instead of tightening it up...

"Traditional methods" skip measuring, and then you know nothing of what you had, and whether you were wasting your time, or were in grave danger and should be doing it sooner.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[luvrbus]

You guys should read all the BS the FMCSA CFR 396 has come up with in 2017 for working on air brakes, for years people have done their own brake work now you need certification to even adjust your brakes on your vehicle lol has to be a attorney involved some where   

[richard5933]

You guys should read all the BS the FMCSA CFR 396 has come up with in 2017 for working on air brakes, for years people have done their own brake work now you need certification to even adjust your brakes on your vehicle lol has to be a attorney involved some where

Sounds like this is for vehicles in commercial service only, and from my reading of the quoted regs it's still possible for carrier to self-certify one of their own mechanics to do the inspections/adjustments if he/she has the requisite experience (one year) doing such inspections/adjustments.

[buswarrior]

We can't continually point out how bad today's drivers and mechanics are in one breath, and then complain about mandatory training on brake adjustment?

Ontario took care of this 20 years ago. Apprentice training fixed, driver certification to touch 'em. And modernized the airbrake endorsement for licences, that needed some work, since inception circa 1988.

The depth of ignorance amongst established mechanics and drivers was epic, once they got into it. And where do we send newbie's to learn?

Brake "failure" in days gone by? Perhaps self inflicted suicide by the driver using the wrench wrong?

Can you imagine today's drivers running without auto-slacks? Trucks would be burned to the ground from brake fires, or ramming into things, and flying off the sides of mountains at a staggering rate.

Auto slacks have been mandated since around 1995 on new equipment.

Buses have been optioned with them since at least 1975, my MC8 came with them.

Mandatory brake knowledge isn't going to hurt anyone as much as not knowing will.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Bill Gerrie]

Try and find a place to get the certification to adjust brakes in Ontario. I phoned everywhere and nobody will do it unless you have a full class. They said to make sure they are okay before you go out and as they don't go out of adjustment that fast don't worry about it. The one place that did it hasn't done a brake course in many years.

[Tom Y]

Gnarly, I have a "80" 5C. It has auto adjusters on the rear and manual on the front.  So yours maybe set up the same.

[buswarrior]

There is zero demand for the manual adjustment course now. Everything is auto slacks, and no fleet, large or small, wants their driver's touching the brakes anymore here. In fact, the way it is written, only a mechanic can mess with auto-slacks, because if they need messed with, they are broken and need the mechanic.

Once a fleet got their brake ignorance sorted out, they retrofitted auto-slacks, took proper care of them, and never looked back.

The authorities don't care about the vintage equipment crowd, and we don't want them to start!!!

The brake adjustment course is based in the Colleges and Universities Ministry, along with all the apprentice training. You get the same licence paper as the rest of the trades, with the appropriate designation on it.

The MTO/DOT takes care of the driver licence air brake endorsement part.

Perhaps joining the appropriate apprentice module at the College as it is being delivered to them?

It's been a long time, I'll see if anyone remembers me, let's see if there's a busnut and vintage truck owner solution.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

Try and find a place to get the certification to adjust brakes in Ontario. I phoned everywhere and nobody will do it unless you have a full class. They said to make sure they are okay before you go out and as they don't go out of adjustment that fast don't worry about it. The one place that did it hasn't done a brake course in many years.

[luvrbus]

Sounds like this is for vehicles in commercial service only, and from my reading of the quoted regs it's still possible for carrier to self-certify one of their own mechanics to do the inspections/adjustments if he/she has the requisite experience (one year) doing such inspections/adjustments.

It wouldn't hurt a bus owner to have a little training either,some of the sh** I see and read on boards you just shake your head

[bevans6]

My MC-5C has manual on the front and auto on the rear.  I check the throw any time i have the rear wheels off, and by cranking the steers out so I can reach the slack - easy on my bus.  In Nova Scotia I have a DOT inspection once a year, and he checks the throw as well.  I have to say that having only put 15K miles on since a full brake job, they haven't needed adjusting yet...  I have no idea if the rear auto-slacks work, but the throw never changes.

[richard5933]

It wouldn't hurt a bus owner to have a little training either,some of the sh** I see and read on boards you just shake your head

Agree.

One of the things I like about the shop where I take my bus for much of the service is that they allow me to spend time watching and asking questions. Even though they're doing the work, I want to understand as much as possible why they're doing it and how it's supposed to be done. I've probably added a few hours onto the bill for my larger jobs, but it's worth it to me to learn what makes my bus tick.

[TomC]

You don't need to jack up the wheels off the ground. First make sure there is enough space underneath for you to crawl if the air bags deflate-so not to crush you. I first grease everything. On my Transit that includes zirks in the brake drum on the brake shoe rollers. Take your 9/16" wrench, push down the locking ring on the slack adjuster, then turn tighten the brake until it stops-not necessary to tightly do this. Then simply back off 1/3 of a turn and you're done! Good Luck, TomC