How to Prepare for Annual Brake Safety Week This Summer

PREVENT OOS BRAKE VIOLATIONS DURING BRAKE SAFETY WEEK

CVSA scheduled Brake Safety Week from Aug. 25-31 with the focus of this year’s inspections around the condition of brake linings and pads.

After last year’s strange data where 50% less vehicles were placed Out-of-Service because 50% less vehicles were inspected, inspectors in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. are gearing up for the summer inspection.

Last year saw 18,875 commercial motor vehicle inspections compared to 2022 where there were nearly 40,000 inspections.

So, whether there will be 20,000 or 40,000 inspections, how do you prepare?

How do I prepare for future truck inspection of my brakes?

If you know your brake system, you are more likely to know if there is an issue.

You should know what size and type of air brake chamber you have and learn how to properly identify it.

Most air brake chambers will have a marking on them, letting you know what type and size it is. If you know the type of chamber you have, you will also be able to determine the maximum allowable push rod travel for that brake chamber and whether it is in or out of adjustment.

You should inspect your air brake system and all brake components regularly during your pre and post-trip inspection to keep your vehicle in safe operating condition.

The list below covers some items you can visually check on a regular basis to ensure they are securely attached, leak-free, and free of damage, such as corrosion and holes.

  • Air brake chamber
  • Brake hoses and tubing
  • Cotter pins
  • Clevis pins
  • Slack adjuster
  • Air lines

Some tips from CVSA to help drivers pass their inspections include:

  • Inspect visible portions of the brake lining and pads as part of your pre- and post-trip inspections.
  • Look for signs of missing lining, such as grooves in the drum from rivet contact.
  • Look at the shoe-to-drum clearance and ensure there is adequate lining on the shoe.
  • Look for any signs of leaks from the hub or other components that may be contaminating the lining/pad surface.
  • Ensure there are no missing lining blocks/pads.
  • Check for visible cracks or voids in the lining block.
  • Check for any exposed rivets or lining blocks that look loose on the shoe.
  • On disc brakes, pay particular attention to the condition of the rotor, such as heavily rusted rotors across the entire friction surface on either side or metal-to-metal contact.
  • Make sure all repairs are consistent with the brake manufacturer’s requirements and guidelines.
  • Note any issues in your driver vehicle inspection reports and report them to the motor carrier to have the defective linings/pads repaired.

What are common OOS brake inspection violations?

In 2023, nearly 13% of vehicles inspected were removed from roadways because inspectors discovered brake-related out-of-service violations.

Some examples of brake-related OOS violations that automatically place the vehicle out-of-service include:

  • Broken brake drums
  • Loose air tanks
  • Corroded holes in a spring brake housing
  • Inoperative tractor protection valves, etc.

Service brake violations, such as cracked linings, brake adjustment or loose chambers, may combine to put the combination of vehicles OOS under the 20% brake criterion (of which 58.7% failed).

Certain service brake violations are automatically placed out of service when found on the steering axle (of which 12.4% failed).

Vehicles Maintenance

Vehicle maintenance costs can be a huge line item for fleet companies and at times, hard to keep under control. Routine maintenance of your vehicles is a necessity to ensure that your biggest assets always stay on the road.

An experienced and knowledgeable vehicle maintenance partner can make all the difference.

CNS can effectively manage your vehicle maintenance to meet your specific driving demands. We effortlessly handle an unlimited number of preventive maintenance schedules for all the vehicles in your fleet.

Serving your customers is your business; maintaining your fleet should be ours. Depend on CNS to keep your vehicles on the road and benefit from our expertise and gain a partnership that is dedicated to your success.

Questions about DOT Compliance, Licensing, Audits, Programs, etc.?

Our DOT Specialists are here to help!

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