Truck Brake Service and Repair in Beaver Dam, KY

Every year, brake-related violations lead to a substantial number of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) being placed out of service. According to the J.J. Keller Transportation Regulatory Alert Newsletter brake violations rank number four on the 2019 Top 25 Vehicle Violations Report.

The commercial motor vehicle inspectors across North America who are performing these CMV evaluations use the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria. These criteria as set forth by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) to determine which of the critical vehicle inspection violations warrant removal a vehicle’s removal from the roadway. Upon removal, the owner must address the issue before the vehicle returns to the roadway.

Brake Safety Week Stresses the Importance of Brake System Maintenance

Besides the commercial motor vehicle inspections that occur along the roadway all year long, the CVSA holds a nationwide program that is referred to as Brake Safety Week. Mexico and Canada also acknowledge Brake Safety Week.

Throughout Brake Safety Week, the inspectors place special emphasis on examining the brakes of commercial motor vehicles while performing CMV inspections. The results of these programs consistently demonstrate how valuable regularly scheduled brake system maintenance is for every commercial motor vehicle sharing the roadway.

Regular Maintenance Can Prevent Violations Related to Brake Systems

Before every trip there are some preventative maintenance evaluations a commercial motor vehicle driver can perform relating directly to CMV brake system inspections.

What to look for:

• Daily checks — prior to driving the vehicle a visual inspection of the brake area should be performed. The driver should be looking for any air chambers, slack adjusters or pushrods that appear damaged or are hanging lower than they should. The slack adjusters on each of the vehicle’s axles need to extend out at the same angle. If they are different, there could be an issue with a broken spring or a brake may be out of adjustment. Bring your CMV to Ohio County Truck and Trailer Repair, so one of our seasoned diesel mechanics can address the issue.
• Weekly inspections — once a week drivers need to check their air disc brake rotors to ensure there are no cracks present. In addition, the drum brakes must be inspected to look for signs of deterioration and cracked linings.
• Every month — drivers need to check for moisture in the air system. This kind of contamination can lead to system leaks because it can cause deterioration of the brake chamber diaphragms, air seals and brake-modulating valves. If the commercial motor vehicle has a brake system with an S-cam, the automatic slack adjusters and S-cam brake tubes have to be creased regularly to keep it from rusting and becoming corroded. If the vehicle has air disc brakes, greasing is not necessary.

At Ohio County Truck and Trailer Repair in Beaver Dam Kentucky, when one of our technicians is servicing a vehicle, the brake linings are inspected. The technician is determining whether the linings have thinned. Most of the time, this thinning occurs once the vehicle reaches the 250,000 to 300,000 mile mark.

There are numerous factors that contribute to brake life, some of which include:

• Driving habits — there are certain driving habits that can play a role in the longevity of the vehicle’s brake life. For example, if a driver has a tendency to keep his or her foot on the brake while driving downhill the heat that builds up due to the friction can damage the brake pads and the rotors.
• Heavy-duty work.
• Numerous brake applications during a single use.
• Local deliveries — a truck used to deliver products locally will have to stop more frequently than a truck driving nationwide. Therefore, the local driver’s brakes will wear out faster.
• Driving patterns — can also affect the wear and tear on brakes. For example, people who tend to have a lead foot will wear down their vehicle’s components faster, including the brakes.
• Weather changes — can also adversely affect the brake pads. Therefore, individuals must consider climate while assessing their brakes.

If you think you are having problems with your brakes, or it is time for you to schedule your regular brake maintenance appointment, contact Ohio County Truck and Trailer Repair at 1-270-256-9196 to schedule an appointment. We are open 24 hours a day, we have a full-service garage with seasoned, dedicated diesel mechanics. We are located at 3399 Liberty Rd, Beaver Dam, Kentucky.