• head_banner_01
  • head_banner_02

Brake Safety Week: Bendix shares tips on how to prepare and what to expect

Avon, Ohio. As in trucking, so in life, there is no substitute for the next pickup, storm, or inspection. Inspections are a top priority for the North American commercial vehicle industry right now as one of the biggest touchpoints on the calendar approaches: Brake Safety Week from August 21st to 27th. Organized by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), this week-long annual event focuses on vehicle inspections in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Bendix) team provided advice on preparation.
“During last year’s CVSA Brake Safety Week, 12 percent of the 35,764 vehicles inspected were retired due to brake problems,” said Fred Andersky, Bendix’s director of demos, sales and service training. “What happens at the end of the wheel and in the braking system directly affects many aspects of the safe operation of a vehicle, so much so that the importance of timely maintenance and inspections of these areas cannot be overestimated. from braking force to crash mitigation The performance of the technology depends on the effectiveness of the brakes and wheel arches when needed. That’s why these checks are so important, and why Bendix has some practical advice on how to prepare and stay safe.”
Brake Safety Week is part of the CVSA Action Air Brake initiative to reduce the number of road traffic accidents caused by faulty commercial vehicle brake systems. The campaign involved local, state, provincial, territorial, and federal highway safety officials in the US, Canada, and Mexico, who inspected large trucks and buses, focusing on brake failures.
What to Expect: Roadside brake safety perimeter inspectors conduct standard North American inspections that include a range of driver qualifications, documentation, and vehicle equipment condition.
They will check for: Missing, faulty, loose, dirty or cracked parts. Holes caused by rust and friction or friction. The spring in the spring brake housing of the parking brake has broken. Air leaks around brake components and lines. Air pressure in the target range is 90-100 psi. Gap adjusters vary in length. Inconsistency in the size of the air chamber on the shaft. Functions of signaling devices (for example, indicator lights for anti-lock braking system).
Inspectors will also look for brake hose violations and hose friction, which is the focus of this year’s Brake Safety Week.
How to prepare: “Pre-trip, post-trip, and regular inspections can help identify some obvious irregularities, including loose hoses or damaged parts like airbags or pushrods,” says Mark Holley, director of marketing and accounting at Bendix Solutions, wheel end . He suggested the following:
Daily: Check the airboxes, tappets, or lash adjusters for damage or loose suspension. Make sure the lash adjusters on each axle protrude at the same angle. Different angles may indicate brake misalignment or damage to the spring brake power spring. Check the condition of pipes and hoses, their location and connections.
Weekly: Perform braking at 90 to 100 psi with wheels off and parking brake released and listen for leaks. Check the air disc brake rotor for cracks. Check the drum brake pads for wear and cracks.
Monthly: Check air systems for moisture to prevent contamination from worn components and leaking systems.
“It’s also a good idea to lubricate the S-cam brake lines and automatic lash adjusters when you have the car in the shop,” says Holly. “This quick process helps prevent rust and corrosion, and also ensures that the sag works properly.”
For brake hose and hose wear, which is the focus of this year’s Brake Safety Week, Bendix recommends focusing on two typical causes. The first is improper routing and trimming, which can cause the hoses to rub against each other while the vehicle is in motion. Precautions include regular inspections to ensure that laces, clips and braces are not damaged or broken. The second typical reason is the wrong hose length, and replacing a hose that is too long can lead to chafing. Damaged hoses must be replaced.
“Furthermore, in general, never underestimate the importance of communication between the driver and the technician,” Andersky said. “A driver on the road can be the first person to notice a problem with a truck. Being able to tell the technician what happened, where it happened, and other details like weather conditions is important, and it’s important that the technician ask questions to get a clearer picture of the situation.” “.
Andersky continued: “This is all part of a holistic approach to maintenance, which is critical given the complex interconnection of the entire braking system and more advanced safety technology. Any sign of non-compliance could be a sign of a broader maintenance problem. in and of itself, things like active full stability indicators on the dash or kinks in the air hoses – and everything else inspectors look for – are important.”
How drum and disc brakes differ: In terms of weeks of braking safety, air disc and drum brakes require different types of maintenance.
“The key to the difference is measuring the braking stroke,” Hawley said. “Because air disc brakes have an internal adjustment mechanism, their braking travel is not measured externally like drum brakes. The internal adjustment mechanism greatly reduces the risk of misadjustment.”
Measuring the stroke of the drum brake air chamber is to check the distance from the air chamber to the flat head pin with the brake released, and then re-check with the brake fully loaded. The difference between them lies in the braking stroke, the maximum length of which depends on the type and size of the brake chamber.
Improperly adjusted brakes can also affect fuel efficiency and accelerate pad wear or reduce braking power. Bendix has developed an infographic (listed below and attached below) to illustrate the different maintenance needs of air disc and drum brakes.
Choose the Right Parts: If you notice it’s time to replace your friction brake with a new one, make sure it’s up to specification: not all friction elements that are advertised as “acceptable” under the current Shortening of the Stopping Distance (RSD) regulations, on actually meet this standard. . Whether you are replacing air disc brake pads or drum brake pads, keep your vehicle in compliance by selecting components that ensure it meets Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) requirements.
“The aftermarket market is busier than ever, especially when it comes to brake friction,” Hawley said. “The wrong choice can compromise your system and undermine vehicle safety. Complications due to improper friction can include cracks, reduced braking performance, or damage to other wheel components. Remember that this is what roadside inspectors will notice. And they will penalize you for things . .”
Holly notes that when it comes to remanufactured drum brake pads, ask your supplier if they’ve been remanufactured back to an OEM design form rather than just replaced with new friction. Shoes deform under the pressure of regular use, and replacing one without restoring its original geometry can affect braking performance and friction life.
You also need to protect your air supply from aggressive oil mist that can lead to leaks and potential breakdowns. Bendix recommends oil coalesced air dryer cartridges such as Bendix PuraGuard. Oil coalescing cartridges can be used to replace standard cartridges, but this is not the case: you should not switch from oil coalescing cartridges to standard cartridges.
Stay alert: Equipped with the latest knowledge and tools, technicians help keep vehicles on the road and in good working order. Bendix offers a variety of resources for providing the latest and most detailed training materials and information, including: Bendix Documentation Library, Service Sheet Finder, Owner’s Manuals, Technical Bulletins, and many other documents containing detailed information, including maintenance and troubleshooting. Bendix Brake Training School’s long-term hands-on training program is delivered in person in the US with some virtual options.
Here is the schedule for 2022. Bendix Online Brake School [www.brake-school.com]www.brake-school.com. You will find over 90 courses covering the full range of topics related to vehicle braking and active safety. Registration is free and the site serves over 130,000 registered users. “Truck Talk with Bendix” This podcast is available on Google Play, Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.
Bendix Knowledge Dock [www.knowledge-dock.com] www.knowledge-dock.com. This site contains an archive of the Bendix Tech Tips series, as well as videos, white papers, and other information.
The Bendix team of trusted sales and service professionals, along with an experienced field technical support team and the Bendix technical support team at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE, also provide expert technical support such as service advice. , brake troubleshooting and product training. .
About Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, a member of Knorr-Bremse, develops and supplies advanced active safety technologies, energy management solutions, and air brake charging and control systems and components under the Bendix brand for medium and northern vehicles. Americans use heavy trucks, tractors, trailers, buses, and other commercial vehicles everywhere. As a pioneer in an industry with more than 4,400 employees, Bendix and its wholly owned subsidiary RH Sheppard Co., Inc. are committed to providing the best solutions to improve vehicle safety, increase productivity and reduce overall operating costs. Please call us at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE (1-800-247-2725) or visit Bendix.com.


Post time: Aug-22-2022
facebook sharing button Facebook
twitter sharing button Twitter
linkedin sharing button Linkedin
whatsapp sharing button Whatsapp
email sharing button Email
youtube sharing button YouTube