The do’s and don’ts of combining air disc and drum brakes
Even as air disc brakes become increasingly popular in North American commercial vehicle fleets, concerns of brake system balance—the amount of work handled by each brake in a system—may arise when they are installed in combination with drum brakes. While these hybrid braking setups deliver advantages in stopping power and uptime, it’s important to understand
Brake maintenance myth: Adjust the slack at every inspection
For fleets and drivers operating vehicles equipped with automatic slack adjusters (ASAs): Do not manually adjust the ASA if the brake is beyond the stroke limit. It’s sound advice from Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake (BSFB). Some technicians servicing drum brakes will adjust ASAs at every PM inspection. Properly installed, operating
Beyond ‘What failed?’—know why it failed
It’s natural for anyone who works on similarly-equipped vehicles to discover patterns in the failure points, particularly with diagnostic trouble codes. The first few that come into the service bay usually mean the tech will need to closely follow the diagnostic steps. At least, that’s what happens in a perfect world. Reality is a much
Bendix updates service interval recommendations for air dryer cartridges
As part of the Bendix Tech Tips Series, Bendix offers new guidelines and service interval recommendations across its range of air dryer cartridges. These updates reflect the results of extensive real-world testing and customer input from a wide array of vehicle applications, as well as a growing number of aftermarket replacement choices, according to the
Proactive tire prep for the summer season
Summer is peak hauling season. Fleets must identify and address truck issues now before they interrupt operations, causing missed deadlines and delivery dates. Where does that process start? With tires. A variety of factors can impact tire performance and result in unplanned downtime—from tread depth to inflation pressure. GCR Tires and Service recommended the following
Don’t ignore that in-line air filter
When it comes to air filters, most replaceable filters for the engine air intake, or spin-on air filters for the air brake system, are likely to be on a regular maintenance list. But what about in-line air filters for the trailer air system? Some trailer brake systems will have in-line filters designed to screen
Detecting tricky transmission leaks
Have you ever worked on a transmission leak only to discover the fluid was coming from another part of the engine? If so, you’re not alone. Here are some tips for tracking down the true source of those fluid leaks. Transmissions have a way of getting the rap for sloppy neighbors. We all know that
Over-the-air engine reprogramming: What it is and why you should care
You’ve read the headline, so let’s get right down to business. The majority of heavy-duty engine manufacturers, namely Cummins, Detroit, International and Volvo Trucks, have rolled out over-the-air (OTA) engine reprogramming this year, giving you the power to update your 2017 model year and newer engines wherever your trucks are on the road (provided there
Let’s talk spring suspension maintenance
Spring suspension manufacturer maintenance recommendations include periodic checks of fastener torque values and usually include an initial re-torque after break-in. While regular preventative maintenance will keep the majority of spring suspensions rolling productively, there may come a time when a spring needs to be replaced. Typically, a broken spring can be identified during a walk-around
Checking truck electrical connections: Multimeter do’s and don’ts
As the spring season starts to thaw winter’s freeze, it’s a good time to give your trucks and trailers a good once-over to ensure that all components are operating properly. The lighting system is a good place to start. Check for any loose connections, broken wires or excessive corrosion at the connections, since, of course,
