WARNING   WARNING:  Always wear a respirator approved by the National Institute of Occupational Studies of Health (NIOSH) or Mine Safety and Appliance (MSA) during all brake service procedures. Wear the respirator from removal of the wheels through assembly.Never use compressed air or dry brushing to clean brake parts or assemblies.Clean brake parts and assemblies in open air. During assembly, carefully place all parts on the floor to avoid getting dust in the air. Use an industrial vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter system to clean dust from the brake drums, backing plates and other brake parts. After using the vacuum, remove any remaining dust with a rag soaked in water and wrung until nearly dry.Never use compressed air or dry sweeping to clean the work area. Use an industrial vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter system and rags soaked in water and wrung until nearly dry. Dispose of used rags with care to avoid getting dust in the air. Use an approved respirator when emptying vacuum cleaners and handling used rags.Worker clean-up: Wash your hands before eating, drinking or smoking. Vacuum your work clothes after use and then launder them separately, without shaking them, to prevent fiber dust getting into the air.

Your vehicle is equipped with non-asbestos brake linings. However, exposure to excessive amounts of brake material (whether asbestos or non-asbestos, fiberglass, mineral wool, aramid or carbon) may be a serious health hazard.
Air Brakes
WARNING   WARNING:  Do not manually adjust the automatic slack adjusters to correct excessive push rod stroke as it may result in reduced brake effectiveness and a vehicle crash. Excessive push rod stroke indicates that a problem exists with the automatic adjuster, with the installation of the adjuster, or with foundation brake components that manual adjustment does not remedy. Seek service from a qualified facility for excessive push rod stroke.

Inspection and Adjustment
Establish a regular schedule for periodic cleaning, lubrication and adjustment inspection based on vehicle use. Exact maintenance intervals are difficult to predetermine due to vehicle applications and operating conditions. If you are uncertain of the proper schedule for your vehicle, contact an authorized dealer.
Regular inspections should include:
  • Periodic checking (every service interval) of push rod travel or brake adjustment. This is essential for effective braking. Brake chamber push rods on original equipment chambers now incorporate an orange paint marker near the base of the push rod as a stroke indicator to aid in adjustment checks. If the push rod is clean and the brakes are out of adjustment, you can see the orange marker protruding from the chamber when the brakes are applied.
  • Checking the brake lining (every service interval). When brake linings or blocks wear within 0.063 in (1.6 mm) they must be replaced.
  • Periodic checking (every service interval) of the air compressor filter. Check the filter minder and when the indicator is near or on the red line marked Service, replace the filter and reset the service filter minder.
Do not back off or disconnect the front brakes so that they are less effective, letting the rear brakes do all the stopping of your vehicle. Do not overlook the brakes on the trailer either. Brake condition on the trailer is just as important as the tractor. Proper brake balance on trucks and tractor-trailers is essential for effective braking.
Once a year, inspect the entire brake system:
  • Rubber components for deterioration. A qualified technician should inspect these components and replace them as necessary. Replacement intervals vary according to the severity and length of vehicle service.
  • Condition of brake drums, brake chambers and slack adjusters.
  • System for air leaks.
  • Hose or pipes for rust, damage and deterioration.
  • Operation of service and parking brakes.
Periodically inspect parts such as air brake chamber diaphragm, air compressor and air cleaner. Replace any parts if you can consider them unserviceable.
Air Dryer
Climactic conditions affect performance of desiccant or after-cooler type air dryers. You must establish a maintenance schedule for each specific operation.
The use of an air dryer on a vehicle does not eliminate the need to drain the air reservoirs periodically.
Inspect for moisture in the air system by opening reservoirs, draincocks or valves and checking for presence of water. The presence of small amounts of water due to condensation is normal and is not an indication that the dryer is not functioning properly.
Replace or rebuild the desiccant cartridge when you determine that the desiccant is contaminated and does not have adequate water absorption capacity. The desiccant change interval may vary. A general recommendation is to replace the desiccant every 12 months (yearly). If experience has shown that extended or shortened life has resulted for a particular installation, then the yearly interval can be increased or decreased accordingly.
Draining the Air Brake Reservoir
WARNING   WARNING:  Failure to drain air brake reservoirs can result in a reduction or loss of braking ability due to fluid accumulation in the reservoir and/or possible freeze-up during cold weather.

Completely drain all the air brake reservoirs daily by opening the draincock at the ends of the tanks. (Where accessible. Pull-chains are used when the drains are undercab or otherwise inaccessible.) Close the draincock after draining. Manually drain any air tanks equipped with automatic moisture ejector valves, as required, to maintain a dry air system. Contact an authorized dealer if you are unsure of the air reservoir locations or the draining procedure.
Hydraulic Brakes
Establish a regular schedule for periodic cleaning, lubrication and adjustment inspection based on vehicle use. Exact maintenance intervals are difficult to predetermine due to vehicle applications and operating conditions. If you are uncertain of the proper schedule for your vehicle, contact an authorized dealer.
Regular inspections should include:
  • Checking the brake lining (every service interval). Establish inspection intervals that provide for lining replacement before damage to the disc occurs. Excessive lining wear may expose the backing plate to the disc causing scoring of the disc faces. A qualified technician should perform this inspection and keep to instructions provided by the service manual. Hydraulic brake systems are power-assisted. There is a great reduction in braking capabilities without engine assist.
  • Proper fluid level. The level should be at the bottom edge of the ring on each reservoir fill port. Do not fill the master cylinder to the top of the reservoir. If fluid level requires attention to maintain a proper master cylinder level, this is an indication of either severe operation (pad wear) or fluid leakage. A more frequent and thorough brake inspection is required.
  • Brake lines, hoses and fittings. Repair or replace brake line tubes, hoses or fittings as required. Inspect these components every 4,000 mi (6,000 km) for the following.Lines for kinks, dents, corrosion or rupture.Hoses for abrasions, kinks, soft spots or rupture, collapse, cracks, twists or loose frame supports. When replacing a hose, be sure there is adequate clearance to the hose to avoid an abrasion to the new hose.All connections for leaks.
Driveline Parking Brake
WARNING   WARNING:  Use wheel chocks and exercise caution when inspecting under the vehicle. A vehicle roll-away could result in property damage, personal injury or death.

A qualified technician should adjust the parking brake and keep to the instructions in the service manual.

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