BENDIX TCH-014-005, TCH-005-014 User Manual
Technical Bulletin
Bulletin No: TCH-005-014 Effective Date: 5-30-2006 Cancels: N/A Page: 1 of 1
Subject: Automatic Slack Adjusters Not For Manual Adjustment
On February 15, 2006, the National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”) issued its Safety Recommendation
No. H-06-8 to all manufacturers and marketers of automatic slack adjusters, manufacturers of vehicles equipped
with air brakes and others seeking industry support for raising awareness of the inherent dangers of manually
adjusting automatic slack adjusters to correct out-of-adjustment brakes.
Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC is issuing this Technical Bulletin to alert vehicle operators and technicians
repairing foundation brakes about the potentially dangerous practice of manual adjustment of automatic slack
adjusters.
The following information has been added to the Bendix
and should apply to any type of automatic slack/brake adjuster:
The automatic slack adjuster is not designed to function as a manual adjuster once it is unable to maintain
adjustment automatically. Manual adjustment should only be done as a one-time temporary measure to correct
brake adjustment in an emergency situation. The routine manual adjustment of an automatic slack adjuster that
is still within adjustment limits may shorten its service life. Automatic slack adjusters should not be manually
adjusted in an effort to correct excessive pushrod stroke, because this condition indicates that a problem exists
with the automatic adjuster, with the installation of the adjuster, or with related foundation brake components,
which manual adjustment will not fix. Replacement of the automatic slack adjuster or other foundation brake
components may be necessary. Always consult with the manufacturer’s troubleshooting guidelines to locate
and fix the actual adjustment problem.
®
ASA-5™ Service Data Sheet and Installation Instructions
WARNING: The manual adjustment of automatic slack adjusters is a dangerous practice that could have
serious consequences, because it can give the operator a false sense of security about the effectiveness
of the brakes, which are likely to go out of adjustment again soon. Do not make manual adjustments of
an automatic slack adjuster once it can no longer automatically adjust the brakes. Manual adjustment
DOES NOT fix the underlying wheel end adjustment. As soon as possible, have the vehicle inspected
by a qualified technician or consult the manufacturer’s troubleshooting guidelines to locate and fix
the actual adjustment problem.
Please contact your Bendix Account Manager for more information concerning Bendix
adjusters.
®
automatic slack
Loading...