How Do You Adjust Rear Brakes on a Semi Truck?

Regular brake maintenance is a must for any semi truck. Over time, brakes can wear down and require adjusting. To keep your semi truck in optimal condition, it is important to know how to adjust the rear brakes.

The process of adjusting the rear brakes on a semi truck starts with loosening the lug nuts located on the drum’s outer surface. The lug nuts should be loosened until they are only finger tight. Once they have been loosened, use a jack to raise the wheel off of the ground, and then remove it using a tire iron.

Once the wheel has been removed, you will need to remove the brake drum from the hub assembly by removing its retaining bolts with a wrench or socket wrench. Be sure not to lose any of these bolts as they will need to be re-installed in order for your truck’s brakes to function properly.

Once the brake drum has been removed from the hub assembly, inspect it for signs of wear and tear such as cracks or rust. If any are found, replace it immediately with a new one before continuing with your adjustments.

Next, you will need to access the adjuster screws located at either end of the brake shoes inside of the drum. These screws can be adjusted using an appropriate screwdriver or Allen wrench depending on their type.

Turning these adjuster screws clockwise will tighten them and increase friction between them and the brake drums surface resulting in increased braking power while turning them counterclockwise will loosen them and decrease friction resulting in reduced braking power.

Conclusion:

Adjusting rear brakes on a semi truck is not difficult but it does require some mechanical knowledge and skill. It is important that all necessary steps are taken when making such an adjustment in order to ensure maximum safety for both driver and vehicle alike.

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Susan Delgado