| Author |
Message |
John G Root Jr (Johnroot) (140.186.114.253)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 09, 2002 - 7:24 pm: | |
I found a garage to help me take care of my bus and he suggested I put automatic slack adjusters on the brakes. Before I agree to this what does anyone think? I've read a lot on the board about adjusting brakes and why you should be qualified to do it, etc. So why doesn't everyone have automatic slack adjusters? |
jim (209.240.222.32)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, March 10, 2002 - 8:32 am: | |
automatic slacks are a great idea...... but they also require periodic checking to see if they are adjusted properly.....and there are expensive....i know.... what price is your safety worth???? i have been an ASE certified master truck technician since '92.... that's when i took the tests.....but i like the manual slacks....i keep my brakes adjusted....everytime i change my oil...3-3500 miles, i go over my brakes adjustment....you may prefer to pay some truck shop to adjust yours, i dont know how much you know, or don't know.....or are willing to do....but i recommend that you learn at least the basics, and understand how the slack adjusters work..... so that, if necessary, you could do the adjusting.....you never know, you might have to back off a set of brakes in the middle of the night..... or tighten them up too.... |
John G Root Jr (Johnroot) (140.186.114.253)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 11, 2002 - 6:27 pm: | |
Thank you Jim,
I gather from the lack of response that automatic slack adjusters are not common and of questionable value!
Thanks guys |
RJ Long (24.127.8.58)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 11, 2002 - 8:43 pm: | |
On the contrary, John, automatic slacks are very common.
But you have to understand that on most commercial fleets, brake maintenance is a daily or at least weekly part of their PM program. Any problems with the system are quickly spotted and corrected - at least with the reputable companies!!
If your coach has automatic slacks and they're adjusted correctly and working properly, IMHO I wouldn't spend the $$$ to replace them.
RJ
PD4106-2784
Fresno CA |
John G Root Jr (Johnroot) (140.186.114.253)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 12, 2002 - 3:06 pm: | |
RJ It doesn't have them, the garage is recommending I put them on. It would be worth the expense to have them put on if it would save me from having to worry if my brakes are adjusted. I plan to do about 30,000 miles a year in the coach. Any thoughts would be appreciated. |
Luke Bonagura (Lukeatuscoach) (63.15.63.18)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 12, 2002 - 7:09 pm: | |
Hi John:
If I were spending MY money, I would stick with adjustable slacks. Years ago, I was the regional V.P of Hausman Bus Sales, here in N.J. & we were all called to Chicago for a sales meeting & the big topic was a demonstration of an automatic slack adjuster system (which was NEW at the time).
The next day when it was just us Hausman guys around the table, we were asked our thoughts & I was quite vocal in shooting down the idea of our company distributing them. Since then, years later I have seen customers have their fair share of problems with them.
But: Why did I shoot them down in the beginning??
I was concerned that a coach operator would be led into a false sense of security & not know they were not working until the bus wouldn't stop and perhaps be involved in an accident.
Equally important is the fact that the coach has to go over a pit on a regular basis to be "greased", and inspected for any items that might be loosening up, wearing, etc. etc. etc.
While on the pit, it doesn't take that long to adjust the brakes, therefore, where is the savings in auto-slacks.
Now in your situation you indicate that you intend to run about 30,000 miles per year. I would suggest that if you run that many miles without frequent lubrication, you will suffer` road failures. Grease "per pound" is much cheaper than the metal parts under there "per
pound". In addition to the importance of lubrication, a good "pit inspection" can catch problems before they "happen on the road". It is much cheaper to catch a potential problem in a shop or on your ramps than when you are siting on the side of the road.
Just another perspective & I Hope it HELPS!!!
LUKE at US COACH |
Joe Laird (Joelaird) (205.188.200.39)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 12, 2002 - 11:42 pm: | |
I have automatic slack adjusters and would not be without them. I have full timed for six years and put well over 100,000 mi on the coach. I have NEVER found the brakes out of adjustment. I check them every time I lube the coach.
I read an article in a Canadian Trucker magazine that stated they could be made to adjust by several hard applications of the brake pedal while waiting to be pulled into the DOT inspection site. My understanding is they adjust everytime the brakes are applied if they work correctly. Mine must work.
I do not believe they are foolproof and they should be checked. But the brakes are always adjusted when they work. When is the last time you adjusted the brakes on your car?
Our coaches do not get pulled over a pit every week.
The trucks are coming out with them now.
They're about $70 each new.
I would encourage most to install them, if for no other reason than most Private Coach owners are not going to get under the bus every 2000 miles or at each brake inspection area before a downgrade and adjust the brakes.
My $.02 worth, Good Luck, Joe |
FAST FRED (209.26.87.26)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 - 5:14 am: | |
DA Book that came with my 4106 has a huge list of items to service EVERY 1500 miles.
The hounds were figgured for 5oo miles a day , service every 3 days.
Most of our trips dont excede 1500 miles , so its pretty EZ to get the ramps out and follow Da Book.
How many miles since service , I dont know , but its Less than 1500.
You might consider the brake cans that have a longer throw , and still give good power to the brakes.
If you use poor techniques coming down REAL hills they could save your bacon, and the fridge its in!
FAST FRED |
Don KS/TX (63.157.179.120)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 - 6:37 am: | |
I agree with Luke. While they are "nice", what are you really gaining? After you get under the bus to see if they are working correctly, you have done the work, a quarter turn on an adjuster is just not a big thing to have to do. If you are hiring it done, I would imagine "checking the automatic adjusters for proper action" would cost exactly the same as "adjusting the brakes" |
John G Root Jr (Johnroot) (140.186.114.253)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 13, 2002 - 5:43 pm: | |
Controversy is so helpful! Now I have to decide based on the available info. I like what Joe Laird said, and I agree with RJ, Fast Fred and Luke. What Don KS said confuses me. Why was there all that talk of having to know what you're doing when it comes to the brakes if "a quarter turn on an adjuster is just not a big thing to have to do?" One thing I realise is that I will have to read Da Book. That's a big job I'll tackle a little bit at a time.
Thanks guys, I wouldn't have thought I could own a bus without you! |
FAST FRED (209.26.87.109)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 5:38 am: | |
IF you wish to get a handle on your coach , you need a couple of books.
The Drivers Handbook will tell you how it was expected to be driven.
Da Book is the maint manual that will help you know what to service and when, and how.
The Parts book will give you X ray views into the construction of the shell and a picture of what to expect inside all the parts and pieces.
You need all 3 to be moderatly safe in operating and repairing your coach.
Be like Scotty of Star Treck , enjoy learning all 3 Books and much of the worry of owning 10,000 bus pieces will leave.
FAST FRED |
John G Root Jr (Johnroot) (140.186.114.253)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 8:40 am: | |
Thanks Fast Fred,
I have Da Book and the parts manual. I haven't seen the drivers handbook and didn't know it existed. Where can I get one?
BTW the Scotty analogy is good, only we can't go where no man has gone before, too bad.
Thanks
John |
Scott Whitney (24.205.233.6)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 14, 2002 - 11:57 am: | |
No, but if you tow a 4x4, you can go places man don't go very often!
Scott |
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces) (12.146.33.16)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 02, 2002 - 1:35 am: | |
Hi John, We got our operator's manual copy from Garry Dean's library. Not very big, but a must. Look up Dean's Coach on Google.
Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576 |