Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/655311
standards and state and federal regulations. "Thirty percent of Class 8 vehicle acci- dents last year showed those vehicle's brakes were classifi ed out of service," Mendy says. "The number one ticketed item during DOT inspections is brake stroke." Jon Morrison, president of WABCO Americas, adds out-of-adjustment drum brake concerns account for nearly half of out-of-service roadside commercial vehicle inspection violations. A driver's pre- and post-trip inspections are critical parts to identifying issues before violations occur. Rust streaks; air leaks; oil stains; worn, missing, broken or loose brake components; air lines rubbing on cross members or frame rails and/or bad or missing glad-hand seals are all obvious red fl ags every driver should be on the lookout for. "Look for rust streak marks on brake components, which usually means loose components," Bowers says. "If the backing plate or wheel seal area starts to show signs of oil, report it immediately to prevent shoe damage." Kevin Pfost, coordinator, technical ser- vice, Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC, says it's important that drivers be proactive in their inspections and not simply look for obvious signs of problems. "Take a look at components such as air chambers that may be corroded or severely rusted," he says. "Check the air system for contamination or water. Look for loose parts like chambers, slack adjuster, brackets, air lines that maybe hanging low and may hook on road debris." Mendy suggests drivers build pressure in the air system while keeping parking brakes applied, then walking around the truck to listen for leaks. "Most of the time, you can hear (air leaks), and they are indicative of a lot of things," Petresh adds. "Look at the air gauges to see if the com- pressor is building correctly," Mendy says. "Check to see if the ABS or electronics components warning lamp is illuminated. Another visual check is to look for a slack adjustor that has an excessive stroke, which may indicate an out of adjustment wheel end and possible worn shoe." Morrison says drivers should inspect the pad thickness by visual inspection or measure caliper position with a ruler and inspect the rotors for cracks every four to six months. "This also helps reduce potential hard part failures by being proactive in preventa- tive maintenance," he adds. Once a problem is identifi ed, assuming a repair facility isn't nearby, drivers should fi rst seek advice from their manager. "Find someone quickly before moving the vehicle," Mendy says. "Call dispatch and have them make a service decision." "The brake system must be inspected and repaired, if needed, by a qualifi ed technician," Bowers adds. "Any potential 14 www.FlatbedTruckingJobs.com April 2016 BEST PRACTICES