FleetPride Helps You Steer Clear of Brake Failure
Revised January 2024
The industry introduced a heavy duty brake chamber in 1956. This initiative is to address the problem of logging trucks losing control on mountain grades. What is the signs or symptoms of brake failure? The smell of hot brakes is the first sign that your brake chamber could be compromised.
CVSA: Operation Airbrake
The CVSA oversees Operation Airbrake to promote vehicle brake safety in North America and prevent accidents like the Lakewood accident. Over half of the out-of-service road violations consist of brakes that are misaligned or in violation of compliance.
This initiative emphasizes the need for regular inspections, maintenance, and the use of high-quality brake components. ¹ The upcoming Brake safety week is scheduled for the week of August 25, 2024². Get prepared now and safely experience miles of road ahead of you.
Heavy Duty Tech Tip
Professionals must install brake chambers correctly to ensure their proper functioning. A few things FleetPride Heavy Duty Experts™ recommend installing and reviewing during proper brake installations are :
- Replace both brake chambers on an axle for safety and even braking
- Properly match long stroke and standard stroke to avoid high-heat wheel ends
- Be sure slack adjuster and new brake chamber are in proper alignment
- Validate a fully retractable push rod upon air release
- Confirm correct push rod length (less than .25”)
- Replace bent brake chamber push rod from expired slack adjuster
- Perform a thorough inspection of the entire braking system to identify any additional issues or potential concerns.
Brake Chamber Challenges
One common challenge truck owners face when using the correct brake chamber for their vehicle is brake drag. Brake drag occurs when the brake chamber fails to release pressure fully. This results in the brake shoes continuously contacting the drum or disc. This issue can cause excessive heat, increased wear, reduced fuel efficiency, and compromised braking performance.
To address brake drag, it is essential to use high-quality brake chambers, such as the OTR Brake Chamber from FleetPride. These reliable parts of the braking system provide precise control and optimal release. Minimize the risk of brake drag with the highest level of safety and performance of OTR.
OTR Brake Chambers: Reliability You Can Trust
Brake chambers play a vital role in the overall performance of your truck’s braking system. They convert air pressure into mechanical force as you press the brake pedal. This action causes the friction material to engage with the rotating wheel, effectively slowing down or stopping the vehicle.
With the confidence of OTR, you get a reliable and durable braking solution with superior OEM quality power performance. OTR brake chambers are engineered to withstand a wide range of contaminants. This is possible with the feature of reinforced mounting studs preventing damage and ensuring rigidity.
With a protected power spring, your new brake chamber ensures increased lifetime. Gain a peace of mind that your truck will come to a complete stop when applying emergency brakes. This results in shorter stopping distances.
The OTR brake chambers not only meet but surpass SAE brake standards. Furthermore, we design, tool, and test these chambers right here in the U.S.A. Experience the benefits of modern technology firsthand. Stay safe on the most demanding roads with OTR
FleetPride Has Your Braking System Covered
FleetPride.com offers the parts you need to maintain your braking system in optimal condition. This includes our exclusive brands OTR and HD Value. Our brake drums, brake chambers, and air discs (to name a few) provide you quality with affordable prices. We rigorously test and continuously improve these braking parts.
Remember, safe driving starts with reliable stopping power – choose FleetPride for all your truck and trailer part needs. FleetPride allows you to restore your braking system to optimal condition. With OTR, you get Expertise Built In™
* The forgoing is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult your local FleetPride Heavy Duty Experts to verify the suitability of a part for the intended application.
References
¹ (n.d.). Operation Airbrake. CVSA. Retrieved May 1, 2023, from https://www.cvsa.org/programs/operation-airbrake/
² (n.d). Brake Safety Week 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024, from https://www.cvsa.org/programs/operation-airbrake/brake-safety-campaigns