What Every Truck Driver Should Know About Brake Maintenance
What Every Truck Driver Should Know About Brake Maintenance
Posted on August 25, 2021
If a semi-truck is travelling 100 km/h, it can take around 109 metres before it comes to a complete stop. The is the equivalent of around 25 car lengths. And that is if the brakes on the truck are working perfectly. This probably goes without saying but having a properly working braking system is extremely important for semi-trucks. Here are some tips to help ensure that your brakes are in peak condition.
How Long do Brakes Last on a Semi-Truck?
There are many factors to consider when trying to determine how long the brakes will last on your semi-truck. The first thing you need to consider is how much you drive your truck and where it is driven.
A truck that drives in the city could make several hundred stops a day. The frequent stops can take a toll on your braking system. If the brakes get used frequently every single day, it could make the lining thin prematurely and could end up changing the brakes every other month.
On the other hand, if you use your commercial truck for long substances, you may not use your brakes very often. If your truck mainly travels on the interstate, there is a chance that you only use your brakes a few times a day. In this case, the brakes will last much longer before they need to be changed.
Another thing to consider is what types of loads does your truck haul the most. The heavier the load, the harder your brakes will have to work in order to come to a complete stop. Trucks that haul heavy loads frequently are more likely to change their brakes more often.
Maintenance Tips for Semi-Truck Brake System
When your brakes start to wear out, there are a few signs to look for. One thing that you may notice is that it takes your truck longer than normal for it to come to a complete stop. However, before your brakes get to that point, there are a few things that you can do to ensure that is still in great working order. Some of the maintenance tasks that you can do on your brakes include:
- Check the brake linings and hoses to see if they are loose or covered in lubricant.
- Check to make sure the air pressure in your tires is between 100 and 125 psi.
- Check wheels and brake chambers to ensure they are in good working order.
- Keep the S cams on your brake drums greased.
- Apply lubrication to the slack adjusters on your air brakes
- Get the brake shoes, springs, pins, bushings, and brakes drums replaced regularly.
Get Regular Inspections
Another great way to ensure that your brakes are working properly is to get them checked regularly by an experienced service technician. A service technician that is experienced with working on large semi-trucks will know what to look for and all of the components that need to be checked to ensure your brakes are working properly. If you would like to schedule an inspection or you think that your brakes need to be serviced, please do not hesitate to contact us today.