When it comes to brake inspections, there is no shortage of training and literature available. Component OE suppliers and vehicle OEMs provide brake inspection tips on their websites, and some also have brake inspection training courses that are offered through the year.
Alesha Erving, product manager for commercial vehicles at Federal-Mogul, says her company gets a lot of positive feedback from fleet maintenance managers on the information it provides. She says service providers who use that information should receive the same positive reaction from their customers.
“When you communicate how important the braking system is, [customers] really appreciate that,” she says. “When you do that you become a partner; you’re not just selling them products.”
The American Trucking Associations’ Technology and Maintenance Council is another excellent source of brake inspection information. TMC’s S.6 study group “Chassis and Brake Systems” has several Recommended Practices for dealing with brake system maintenance, inspection and repair.
One helpful RP is 607B – Service and Inspection of S-Cam Brake Systems. TMC says 607B “serves as a thorough guide for the inspection and servicing of all heavy-duty S-cam air brake system components. The RP identifies all appropriate brake system nomenclature and explains how each component interacts to ensure maximum braking performance. It also defines tolerances for proper lining and drum performance.”
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