Prepare for Brake Safety Week with these tips from Bendix

Editor’s note: Bendix submitted the following to CCJ in advance of next week’s Brake Safety Week inspection spree. 

In advance of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) annual Brake Safety Week inspection blitz set for next week, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems  is offering tips and insight to help fleets, drivers, and technicians prepare for the Sept. 6-12 event.

More than 13,000 brake system inspections on trucks and buses in the United States, Canada, and Mexico will be conducted during the annual inspection spree.

Preparation: Pre-Trip Knowledge, Maintenance, and Inspection

Inside the cab, it’s important to know the vehicle systems’ blinking light fault codes and how to address them. Antilock braking systems (ABS) warning lights convey key information on problems with components such as wheel speed sensors. If the vehicle is equipped with traction control and stability control systems, the traction control/stability control lamp will indicate any issues. Blinking light fault codes for both ABS and traction control/stability control systems can be accessed using the dashboard diagnostic switch or a remote diagnostic unit. Using the fault code information in the service data sheet, drivers and technicians can pinpoint and address sensor issues.

Day-to-day, maintaining a clean air system is a priority. Components such as air seals, brake modulating valves and brake chamber diaphragms are susceptible to premature damage if an air system is contaminated by moisture – and, in particular, oil. Deterioration of seals can cause air system leaks, which are targeted during Operation Airbrake inspections. Bendix recommends monthly checks for moisture in the air brake system, along with installation and regular replacement of oil-coalescing air dryer cartridges such as Bendix PuraGuard.

Conduct effective pre-trip visual inspections, with an eye out for problems such as loose hoses and leaks. At the wheel-ends, visually check that the air chambers are not damaged and hanging loose or with broken push rods. Check foundation drum brakes for lining cracks, linings that may have been oil-saturated due to leaking wheel seals, and broken cam brackets. As long as there are no dust shields, linings can be checked without removing the wheel. And if the vehicle is equipped with air disc brakes, check the rotors for cracks or grooving and make sure the caliper is sliding freely.