Keith’s Guide to Keeping Your Car On the Road

Posted on: 16 January 2018

Brake failure is a common cause of commercial truck accidents. Therefore, you must be diligent in the maintenance of this system in your business vehicles and freightliners. Remember, an accident involving your transportation truck can cause numerous losses, including loss of merchandise, injuries to the workers and lawsuits by other road users. If you have purchased a new truck for your company, you should consider applying the below maintenance tips for optimal brake performance and safety.

Replace Worn Out Components

There are multiple components in a truck's braking system which will slowly wear away. You must keep an eye on these elements so that you can perform replacements on time. Brake pads should regularly be replaced because they become worn out quickly due to friction. Most modern pads have a wear indicator built into the component. Therefore, you will know when replacement is necessary. When replacing the brakes, you should also consider installing new springs, bushings and pins. Additionally, you should have the rotors checked for cracking and wear and replaced as needed.

Lubricate Slack Adjusters

The slack adjusters in your commercial truck are critical for keeping the brakes in alignment. Therefore, they should be maintained to ensure optimal performance of the braking system. The most vital care process for both manual and automatic slack adjusters is lubrication. Ideally, you should apply some lithium grease on these components to keep them operating smoothly. Remember, if you neglect this practice, the adjustors will eventually seise up and stop working altogether. Making time for lubrication can prevent brake failure.

Inspect the Hoses

You should check the hoses and linings which are installed in your commercial truck as part of the braking system. Under ideal circumstances, the inspection should be carried out before the vehicle is used as a precaution. The braking system hoses should not be showing significant signs of wear. For example, there should be no cracks and tears on the surfaces. You should also check the linings. You should make sure that these are in excellent condition, and they should not be soaked with lubricant. If you notice any anomalies, you should consult a mechanic for repairs.

Check the Application Pressure

Finally, you should examine the air compression pressure gauge before using your commercial truck. The application pressure indicated on this component is critical in stopping the heavy vehicle. Therefore, you must ensure that the figure matches the levels recommended by the truck manufacturer. If you notice the application pressure falling unexpected, you should have the braking system serviced.