thanks for helpful vid. hey, just to clarify for future viewers, 1 full turn is 360 degrees; 1/2 turn is 180; 1/4 turn is 90. So after tightening the adjuster, we back it off 1/4 turn.
1. Chock the wheels 2. Disable parking brake otherwise you will not be able to pull hard on them to check if they need adjustment 3. Use Gloves and then continue with all instructions given by the expert on this channel.
Brakes released before adjustment and it’s important to be sure the slack adjuster is greased and operating freely , and I’d go over brake chambers I seen a guy pull the death bolt once and if I’d not caught him he’d be hurt bad I like you content good mechanic sir you are
Look up what a clean slack adjuster looks like and you will see the turning nut and what it looks like then compare with your truck. Most trucks have em unless urs is super old.
My trailer when I hit the brakes hard, rear axle jumps but when I slowly brake and not hit my brakes hard, it doesn't like to dance. Do you know what is the cause of this? I am putting new shocks because they are all bad and new brake chambers.
Bradford Ramm, no that is not correct. This is not a Meritor, where you have to pull the tab out. This just clicks while adjusting it (sounds bad, but it isn't) Also, you generally want a half turn. Get your tires off the ground and do your adjustment, than spin them. You'll see
I've got an issue right now with the front set of tandems on the trailer locking down whenever I'm coming to a stop so I think they are too tight, all I need to do is turn it about a quarter of a turn counterclockwise?
That is a Great Video On How To Adjust Your Brakes But The Older Ones are 9/16 and you Have to Push the Lock Collar in so you can turn the bolt ! Good Video ! it Should Be On all The CDL Test So Every One Knows How to adjust there Brakes Just Sayin
Not everybody that drives a truck is mechanically inclined! I think if something like that was to happen, we would see more and more trucks in a ditch or flipped over somewhere.? JMO.
true enough but 1/4 turn is right... been doing it 30 years, depending on slop in the system, 1/2 turn will give you too much pushrod travel and that's what the DOT measures during an inspection...
@@JLewis-vv5zf you need to block the tires because you release the parking brake the vehicle can roll while adjusting the rear slack adjusters also look closely at the drum and the shoes are worn deep in the drum you can tell by the metal lip it made on the drum
@@apolinarponce4506 It’s douchebags like you that keep people from wanting to post helpful videos like this. The man is simply demonstrating how to adjust the slack adjuster, nowhere in this video does he have to mention anything about the damn drums being worn beyond tolerance and I’m pretty darn sure that there is a tractor hooked up to the trailer in order to release the brakes so as long as the tractor parking brake is set, shove the wheel CHOCKS (not blocks) up your A$$. This was a perfect tutorial
Unless you have replaced the shoes you never ever adjust automatic slack adjusters... If your throw is out past 2 inches for short stroke and 3 inch for long stroke the slack is bad and needs to be replaced...
Been driving and maintaining trucks for over 17 years, have yet to see an automatic slack adjuster that actually adjusts correctly for more than 6 months if that
@@marceloevera2009 need to keep them greased... they dont last long in the Northeast... they will get you close, but you still need to Manually adjust them to get it done correctly
1/2 turn is a little too much. At 1/2 turn the brake is already at 2” stroke. Try 1/4 turn or 7 clicks and the clevice pin is free and you’re at a perfect 1-1/4 - 1-3/8 stroke every time.
You need to also state a good brake system will never have to be touched after rebuilding a brake system.Also everytime you manually adjust the slack adjuster you are wearing the lock out.That is why A BRAKE THROW CHECK SHOULD BE THE ONLY CHECK DONE, THEN THE SLACK ADJUSTER SHOULD BE DONE IF THE THROW IS OUT OF SPEC.Lastly IF ANYTHING IS OUT the slack adjuster, s cam and chamber should be inspected for wear or damage.
@@Bendigo1 You can replace the manual slack adjuster with Automatic slack adjusters when the manual adjuster is worn out. Also Most trucks out there are to old to be on the road that still have those old manual adjusters, They just belong in a boneyard or Museum. Even drum brakes are a thing soon to be gone as all the newer trucks have Disc brakes. Lastly after watching this video we're are the backing plates leaving them off for cooling is a old wife's tail.getting water onto the inside of the drum is a dangerous thing.
@@apacheone3643 i agree about them being too old, but there are still a lot out there with manual slack adjusters. Tbh, they are not bad as long as they are adjusted right. The adjusting them is a pain and that is why a lot of drivers didn't do it and started crashing, so they came up with auto slack adjusters, which are really not any more safe than regularly adjusted manual slack adjusters, but less hassle and since drivers weren't adjusting the manual adjusters they seemed safer. The problem now is that too many drivers take auto slack adjusters for granted and do not really check them so when they eventually fail, driver either crash or hopefully get put out of service before they crash. Disk brakes are definitely the best if all 3, but come with the problem of either being difficult/nearly impossible to check, on a daily basis, or take a full class to figure out how to check them.
@@Bendigo1 There is no adjustment on Disc brakes or a Slack adjuster. The Calipers adjust themselves the chamber bolts DIRECTLY TO THE CALIPERS. I have been working with them 8 plus years. My favorite are the Mertor brakes they are superior in the size of the pad Calipers have a long life as long as they are not abused or rebuilt inproperly.. I have had a rebuilder screw up 6 sets of Calipers I video tape a brand new out of the box Caliper and sent it to the rebuilder. As far as drivers not taking care of the brakes you find that more on the privates than in the over the road company's(OTRC) . The OTRC cut corners else were like Transmissions and Engine maintenance.. The saying goes pay me now or pay me later. I have been in this field 42 years I work in Denver for two years pull trucks out of the runaway ramps.to now working for a City agency 34 years. I do know what the driver's do.
@@apacheone3643 I meant checking disk brakes for pad depth. I know of several drivers that ground them to the metal because they did not know how to check them or even that they need to be checked. I know they are not supposed to need adjustment. And on the shields, they can be dangerous on snoy or muddy conditions if snow or mud gets crammed up in there. That is why a lot of guys choose to run without them or not get them in the first place.
But best way is to have the wheel in air and have somebody try to spin it before you start to return, and as soon as it starts spinning and you leave it there. It might even less than 1/4 turn and you will have brakes that great.
in our workshop vehicle come we change all brake chamber relay valve and handbrake valve brake drum and s cam shaft brake lining but his parking brake did not worked wh
what is a parking brake on? I have a truck release and trailer release and then trailer hand brake. When adjusting these brakes chalk the wheels and release the air valves. Then adjust them. Otherwise you will just free roll and not have brakes. I learned the hard way when no one explained that to me 20 years ago. Luckily was just in the lot and could down hill against a curb. Fixed that problem quickly lol
Man your breaks aren’t released and that is an automatic slack adjuster you aren’t supposed to mess with that unless you putting on new break shoes and that’s only to back the breaks off. You step on the breaks multiple times for them to adjust themselves, if the breaks to adjust back to normal operating specs then you replace the slack adjuster because the original is bad.
@@Rollieeeee They’re called automatic slack adjusters for a reason, and the manufacturers that make them want to keep it that way. Still, despite years of warnings, automatic slack adjusters (ASA) continue to be manually adjusted by technicians who may not know any better or who may be eager to get a truck out of the shop and back out on the road.
@@marceloevera2009 I believe my original point was based on having been put out of service by DOT and they allowed my truck back on the road so long as the brakes were properly adjusted regardless of the automatic adjusting function working.
First of all chock the wheels and release your brakes! grease all the fittings before you do anything . Then on ALL manual slack adjusters theres a collar to prevent the nut on the slack adjuster from backing you have to knock the durt off of it and you must use a box end wrench, to loose that up I use a hammer on the 🔧, dont beat on it hard! The reason you release your brakes is so you can watch the rod in your brake drum go in while you adjust! Not out! Then when you adjust your slack adjuster all the way up and back off one 1/4! Then test the travel of your slack adjuster on each wheel by either using the proper brake buddy or I have used a large crecent wrench! That travel should be no more than 1/2 an inch and us exactly what a cvse officer is doing under is measuring that travel, he uses you to press the brake but you are usually aline so use a wrench for thd travel! Do this for all wheels and you will guaranteed have fully functioning brakes
Sorry Einstein but a half a turn is 180 degrees, 90 degrees is a quarter turn. Don't know what school you went to but you might want to re-enlist and learn your numbers since viewers like me will not take directions from anybody who does not know 360 degrees is a full revolution. DUH!.
ACK-shully practice and ACK-shully breathe and ACK-shully slow down .. then ACK-shully make the ACK-shul video??? as opposed to NOT ACK-shully doing it well
thanks for helpful vid. hey, just to clarify for future viewers, 1 full turn is 360 degrees; 1/2 turn is 180; 1/4 turn is 90. So after tightening the adjuster, we back it off 1/4 turn.
Couple say 1/2 turn... but more say 1/4th turn. I'd probably be leaning on a 1/4th turn half seems like to much
Rears 1/4 turn front steering 1/2 turn
You forgot to mention one important step. The brakes need to be released when you are adjusting the slack adjuster.
Steve Pratt - Yep, trl brakes released & tractor (trk) brakes set.
So many videos about brake adjustment .. and it seems nobody mentioning this important step
@@TheHenok30 so in noob terms, push the red knob, pull the yellow knob?
@@SirXyloid yes
Yes and trailer has to be hooked up to the truck can’t do it standing alone
Thank you!!! I'm studying for my CDL and did not understand what the manual was stating. Watching this video made a light in my head go off! 👏
First step ever is to chock those wheels; Great explaining though definitely subscribed!
1. Chock the wheels 2. Disable parking brake otherwise you will not be able to pull hard on them to check if they need adjustment 3. Use Gloves and then continue with all instructions given by the expert on this channel.
3 clicks or quarter turn is what I do been a mechanic for 30 years half a turn is too much slack is think.
Thanks for a refresh. Appreciate the video.
The best video on RUclips-thanks for posting
Brakes released before adjustment and it’s important to be sure the slack adjuster is greased and operating freely , and I’d go over brake chambers I seen a guy pull the death bolt once and if I’d not caught him he’d be hurt bad I like you content good mechanic sir you are
Thank you. This is way better than the State book
Good job bro. Thank you I learnt something from you.
Awesome Video!🎥
Good video short and to the point
1/4on used and 1/2 new. And you forgot to tell people the brakes have to be released.
Very helpful.. thank you..
1/2 turn is 180
Boy this guy is a genius
Thank u so much!
Great video
I always did a quarter turn
THANKS!
Could you message me with more info on adjusting I’m about to take my class 3 road test and just want to make sure I got everything locked down!
Full 90 degrees for half turn 😂 last I checked it was 180 degrees for half turns
You need to measure the stroke after adjustment because dot doesnt play
Exactly if you don’t measure then you are just guessing and hoping that you did it right. I call this the blind way of doing it.
Can you visually tell if your truck has automatic or manual slack adjusters? If so how?
Look up what a clean slack adjuster looks like and you will see the turning nut and what it looks like then compare with your truck. Most trucks have em unless urs is super old.
My trailer when I hit the brakes hard, rear axle jumps but when I slowly brake and not hit my brakes hard, it doesn't like to dance. Do you know what is the cause of this? I am putting new shocks because they are all bad and new brake chambers.
That is usually bad suspension and/or bad brake pressure distribution.
You need to return it 1/4 turn.
thanks !
Why are stripping the ratchet mechanism? Use the release pin to back it off. A 1/4 turn not half.
Hope you're being sarcastic. No release pin on this style...
HUNTER Riddle sure it’s not hidden under all that old grease?
Positive I got a fleet of 19 trucks and 95 trailers lol
HUNTER Riddle but his correct though a full turn is 360 degrees and you’re doing half of it so it’s 180 degrees not 90 degrees
Bradford Ramm, no that is not correct. This is not a Meritor, where you have to pull the tab out. This just clicks while adjusting it (sounds bad, but it isn't)
Also, you generally want a half turn. Get your tires off the ground and do your adjustment, than spin them. You'll see
Great damn video… thanks for
Did you release the brakes, and have at least 90psi
Than you so easy.
Thanks From H-town..
Make sure the cotter pin is still there. It wont selfadjust without it. That will also cause uneven breaking
I've got an issue right now with the front set of tandems on the trailer locking down whenever I'm coming to a stop so I think they are too tight, all I need to do is turn it about a quarter of a turn counterclockwise?
Your brakes are probably worse out and the s cams are getting ready to flip or have never been greased.
Good job!
I know how to produce truck brake slack adjuster😄
That is a Great Video On How To Adjust Your Brakes But The Older Ones are 9/16 and you Have to Push the Lock Collar in so you can turn the bolt ! Good Video ! it Should Be On all The CDL Test So Every One Knows How to adjust there Brakes Just Sayin
Not everybody that drives a truck is mechanically inclined! I think if something like that was to happen, we would see more and more trucks in a ditch or flipped over somewhere.? JMO.
@@dynamicdopamine but from the day you take your air brakes endorsement, it is up to the driver to make sure the brakes are adjusted correctly
Old school the trailer use to be 3/8 to 1/2.
Tractor 1/4
I noticed when I give 1/4 of a turn brakes fade too quick and so it’s when I give 1/2 a turn that is why I give it 135 degrees
So do I: 90 degrees turn and a little bit more (10-15degrees)
A quarter turn will do if u want them set up tight but tap on drum and make sure they arent touching
1/4 turn is to tight for proper brake actuation!
@James Klee then why does everyone do half turn
@@tamipotirala6973 that's for rookies. If you're light on the pedal and won't put a flat spot In tires u can go a quarter
@@jamesklee9980 spoken like a school graduate
Is half turn equal to180 degree? You mean two quarters? I'm not native speaker so I didn't get it.
Yes 180 degree would be half
4 dimes and 2 nickels .. YES aloha snack bar
Gente: Primero un cepillazo de acero a esas partes y a grabar el video para que quede mas Mechanic.
Love all the you tube keyboard mechanics on here. Pshhhhh
true enough but 1/4 turn is right... been doing it 30 years, depending on slop in the system, 1/2 turn will give you too much pushrod travel and that's what the DOT measures during an inspection...
I see it every day LOL
Thank u
Your suppose to have full tank of air and release parking brake make sure tires are blocked before those drums look gone
“make sure tires are blocked before those drums look gone”.
Ummm... what???
@@JLewis-vv5zf you need to block the tires because you release the parking brake the vehicle can roll while adjusting the rear slack adjusters also look closely at the drum and the shoes are worn deep in the drum you can tell by the metal lip it made on the drum
@@apolinarponce4506 It’s douchebags like you that keep people from wanting to post helpful videos like this. The man is simply demonstrating how to adjust the slack adjuster, nowhere in this video does he have to mention anything about the damn drums being worn beyond tolerance and I’m pretty darn sure that there is a tractor hooked up to the trailer in order to release the brakes so as long as the tractor parking brake is set, shove the wheel CHOCKS (not blocks) up your A$$. This was a perfect tutorial
@@dansvlogtrucking lmao
@@dansvlogtrucking your the reason people loose there brakes down a hill keep adjusting them till the shoes hit the rims
I didn’t see a place to wrench an 11 millimeter. It only had a square sided bolt on top
J - Tech... You in Jacksonville man?
On drive tires do you release brakes or leave them set
Release if adjusting them but chock tires
You will have to teach what a half turn really is.
Thanks
1/4 is the way yo go
1/4 it’s better...
Done it as you said. Called for mechanic.
Thanks!
Unless you have replaced the shoes you never ever adjust automatic slack adjusters... If your throw is out past 2 inches for short stroke and 3 inch for long stroke the slack is bad and needs to be replaced...
They never self-adjust enough.
Been driving and maintaining trucks for over 17 years, have yet to see an automatic slack adjuster that actually adjusts correctly for more than 6 months if that
@@alanack67 they do....yes they do!
@@toby0395 21 years driving...they do work . when they dont, its time to replace it....
@@marceloevera2009 need to keep them greased... they dont last long in the Northeast... they will get you close, but you still need to Manually adjust them to get it done correctly
do you take brakes off or leave it on
you chock the vehicle and release the brakes to adjust
Dose it have to make that noise when Yu losen the slack ?
It's going to depend on the type of slack adjuster. One like shown in the video must make that noise
Currently sitting in a snowplow at work learning
Good
1/2 turn is a little too much. At 1/2 turn the brake is already at 2” stroke. Try 1/4 turn or 7 clicks and the clevice pin is free and you’re at a perfect 1-1/4 - 1-3/8 stroke every time.
You need to also state a good brake system will never have to be touched after rebuilding a brake system.Also everytime you manually adjust the slack adjuster you are wearing the lock out.That is why A BRAKE THROW CHECK SHOULD BE THE ONLY CHECK DONE, THEN THE SLACK ADJUSTER SHOULD BE DONE IF THE THROW IS OUT OF SPEC.Lastly IF ANYTHING IS OUT the slack adjuster, s cam and chamber should be inspected for wear or damage.
That is true for automatic slack adjusters but non automatic slack adjusters should be checked and adjusted daily or more if driving a lot of hills.
@@Bendigo1 You can replace the manual slack adjuster with Automatic slack adjusters when the manual adjuster is worn out. Also Most trucks out there are to old to be on the road that still have those old manual adjusters,
They just belong in a boneyard or Museum.
Even drum brakes are a thing soon to be gone as all the newer trucks have Disc brakes.
Lastly after watching this video we're are the backing plates leaving them off for cooling is a old wife's tail.getting water onto the inside of the drum is a dangerous thing.
@@apacheone3643 i agree about them being too old, but there are still a lot out there with manual slack adjusters. Tbh, they are not bad as long as they are adjusted right. The adjusting them is a pain and that is why a lot of drivers didn't do it and started crashing, so they came up with auto slack adjusters, which are really not any more safe than regularly adjusted manual slack adjusters, but less hassle and since drivers weren't adjusting the manual adjusters they seemed safer. The problem now is that too many drivers take auto slack adjusters for granted and do not really check them so when they eventually fail, driver either crash or hopefully get put out of service before they crash.
Disk brakes are definitely the best if all 3, but come with the problem of either being difficult/nearly impossible to check, on a daily basis, or take a full class to figure out how to check them.
@@Bendigo1 There is no adjustment on Disc brakes or a Slack adjuster. The Calipers adjust themselves the chamber bolts DIRECTLY TO THE CALIPERS.
I have been working with them 8 plus years. My favorite are the Mertor brakes they are superior in the size of the pad Calipers have a long life as long as they are not abused or rebuilt inproperly..
I have had a rebuilder screw up 6 sets of Calipers I video tape a brand new out of the box Caliper and sent it to the rebuilder.
As far as drivers not taking care of the brakes you find that more on the privates than in the over the road company's(OTRC) . The OTRC cut corners else were like Transmissions and Engine maintenance.. The saying goes pay me now or pay me later. I have been in this field 42 years I work in Denver for two years pull trucks out of the runaway ramps.to now working for a City agency 34 years. I do know what the driver's do.
@@apacheone3643 I meant checking disk brakes for pad depth. I know of several drivers that ground them to the metal because they did not know how to check them or even that they need to be checked.
I know they are not supposed to need adjustment.
And on the shields, they can be dangerous on snoy or muddy conditions if snow or mud gets crammed up in there. That is why a lot of guys choose to run without them or not get them in the first place.
But best way is to have the wheel in air and have somebody try to spin it before you start to return, and as soon as it starts spinning and you leave it there. It might even less than 1/4 turn and you will have brakes that great.
@mad ass thats not for doing it on the side of the road.
Its when vehicle its in the shop.
Use your common sense....
What size socket is needed to adjust slack adjuster
I think it's either a 7 or 9/16
Not all use a socket they use a special tool like mine
Whem adjusting..
Dont brakes need to be released
One reason you might want to do this is to prevent a wheel fire that turns into a trailer fire, am I right?
Do what exactly
@@tamipotirala6973 I was hoping for an answer to my question. What are you trying to say?
@@VictorVictor-oq6dh I was wondering the same thing with you
All my trucking life I did 1/4 turn and hit the drum just to hear that there were not hitting the drum.
What do you mean by hitting the drum?
in our workshop vehicle come we change all brake chamber relay valve and handbrake valve brake drum and s cam shaft brake lining but his parking brake did not worked wh
what is a parking brake on? I have a truck release and trailer release and then trailer hand brake. When adjusting these brakes chalk the wheels and release the air valves. Then adjust them. Otherwise you will just free roll and not have brakes. I learned the hard way when no one explained that to me 20 years ago. Luckily was just in the lot and could down hill against a curb. Fixed that problem quickly lol
dirty mechanic clean ur job and give a good presentation
Who gives a s***, he's trying to teach you something
You only adjust the manual slack adjusters
My trailer binding
What’s the wrench size?
Whatever it takes. Obviously.
11 millimeter
You forgot got to mention to make sure the emergency brake is off . before you start ajusted.
Your Right About that Ruben Stahl !
and you chalk the wheels. That way you do not get run over if truck decides to roll.
He was not working on parking brake chamber, he was working on service brake chamber.
No need to release brakes when working on short style chambers.
@@ericshimer6669 well then it's no fun anymore lol.jk
Can’t you find a cleaner unit? To work on
Wow
Sometimes it’s ok when the differential leaks a little 😀🇨🇦
You got follow D.O.T regulation check slack adjuster comfort law regulation no how u like
180 degrees.
It’s actually vehicles after 1994 that has automatic adjusters
Think most people would do just 1/4 turn . I usually do 1/2 turn on the steering axle. 1/4 on every other axle. But 🤷♂️
** After 1994 all vehicles have automatic Slack Adjuster **
Why is there spider webs on the drums?
FUCK YEAH !!! TRUCKS !!!
Man your breaks aren’t released and that is an automatic slack adjuster you aren’t supposed to mess with that unless you putting on new break shoes and that’s only to back the breaks off. You step on the breaks multiple times for them to adjust themselves, if the breaks to adjust back to normal operating specs then you replace the slack adjuster because the original is bad.
I can’t take you serious misspelling brakes. If the adjuster isn’t doing it’s job you have to manually adjust it if DOT puts you out of service.
@@Rollieeeee if they dont self adjust, they need to be replaced....
@@Rollieeeee usually when you adjust a auto slacker, it gets lose again in a few miles....
@@Rollieeeee They’re called automatic slack adjusters for a reason, and the manufacturers that make them want to keep it that way.
Still, despite years of warnings, automatic slack adjusters (ASA) continue to be manually adjusted by technicians who may not know any better or who may be eager to get a truck out of the shop and back out on the road.
@@marceloevera2009 I believe my original point was based on having been put out of service by DOT and they allowed my truck back on the road so long as the brakes were properly adjusted regardless of the automatic adjusting function working.
I know how to produce truck brake slack adjuster
Is that a wig my son?
360° 180° 90°
45
Man save you a bunch of time and get you a slack adjuster wrench
First of all chock the wheels and release your brakes! grease all the fittings before you do anything . Then on ALL manual slack adjusters theres a collar to prevent the nut on the slack adjuster from backing you have to knock the durt off of it and you must use a box end wrench, to loose that up I use a hammer on the 🔧, dont beat on it hard! The reason you release your brakes is so you can watch the rod in your brake drum go in while you adjust! Not out! Then when you adjust your slack adjuster all the way up and back off one 1/4! Then test the travel of your slack adjuster on each wheel by either using the proper brake buddy or I have used a large crecent wrench! That travel should be no more than 1/2 an inch and us exactly what a cvse officer is doing under is measuring that travel, he uses you to press the brake but you are usually aline so use a wrench for thd travel! Do this for all wheels and you will guaranteed have fully functioning brakes
I run 1/4 turn
Sorry Einstein but a half a turn is 180 degrees, 90 degrees is a quarter turn. Don't know what school you went to but you might want to re-enlist and learn your numbers since viewers like me will not take directions from anybody who does not know 360 degrees is a full revolution. DUH!.
Could have took brake cleaner to all that grease
Yall will complain about anything just so you can write a comment! That's sad.
Shit man... I must have done something wrong... the brakes started smoking and caught the wheel bearings on fire...WTF? Smoke Show!
That really happen to you
If you have to measure the "brake throw", then you should SHOW THAT TOO!! Incomplete again!
Old man says 1/4 to a 1/2 I’d say it’s in the relm
Thats adjusting brake pads
180°
90° is a quarter turn...180° is a half turn..jus sayin.
180 degrees
I think it’s 1994
You're getting a ticket
ACK-shully practice and ACK-shully breathe
and ACK-shully slow down .. then ACK-shully make the ACK-shul video???
as opposed to NOT ACK-shully doing it well
To me it looks and sounds like it needs a new slack adjuster... Hahaha
Moises Corona the sound??? That’s the sound an automatic slack adjuster sounds when adjusting it chief