In order to take care of your customer’s braking system, it’s vital that you understand each system component. Following are definitions of some terms and conditions that braking components may experience.
If you’re familiar with the information below, it should be easier for you to maintain your customer’s braking system and diagnose problems more quickly and efficiently.
Actuator
This is a device that physically initiates the mechanical motion of a braking system component.
Air Disc Brakes
These are air-actuated brakes, which upon application, employ a caliper to clamp two brake pads against a rotor. Air discs, compared to drum-type brakes, have superior ability to resist fade.
Automatic Slack Adjuster
This is a mechanism that adjusts the brakes automatically. Every time the brake is applied, a take-up mechanism in the actuating lever compensates for wear on the brake lining to maintain brake balance at each wheel.
Bell-Mouthed Drum
When a drum has a larger diameter at the open end than at the flange, it is considered bell-mouthed and it prevents full contact with the lining.
Blue Drum
Friction surface is blued resulting from high temperatures which, in turn, may be caused by weak return springs or an out-of-balance drum.
