Page 29
Section 5
Recommended Periodic Service
Maintenance Schedules
WARNING
To prevent serious eye injury, always wear safe
eye protection when you perform vehicle
maintenance or service.
A schedule for periodic adjustment, cleaning,
inspection, and lubricating of the brake equipment
must be made according to type of brake and type
of vehicle operation. Each operator must establish
maintenance schedules based on vehicle
applications. Start with inspections every two
months and adjust the schedules as necessary.
Severe service and high levels of contamination
must have more frequent brake adjustments and
inspections.
Brakes must be cleaned, inspected, lubricated
and adjusted every time the wheel hubs are
removed. Do NOT clean or contaminate the
linings with fluid.
Minor Inspection:
Hydraulic Brakes
1. Check the brake pedal travel with brake drums
assembled. Too much travel can indicate the
need for brake adjustment.
2. Check the brake adjustment unless the brakes
are equipped with automatic adjustment.
3. Check the operation of the parking brake by
actuating and releasing the parking brake
control and observing the brake actuation and
release.
4. Check lining wear:
a. Check the wear side-to-side and end-to-end.
b. The lining wear must be even on both
shoes of the brake and on both sides of the
axle.
5. Check the brake lining to brake drum contact
pattern. Contact must be the same on both
shoes of the brake and on both sides of the
axle.
6. Check the operation of the brake by pressing
and releasing the brake pedal in the cab and
observing the brake actuation and release.
Major Inspection:
Hydraulic Brakes
Major inspection must be made at every reline.
Severe duty cycles or environmental conditions
require more frequent major inspections.
1. Check all of the points described in the minor
inspection procedures.
2. Check the anchors and the shoes bushings
for wear.
3. Check the levers for rust, bending or seizing.
4. Check the adjustment components for rust,
bending or seizing.
5. Check for loose shoe return springs.
6. Check for loose or broken lining rivets.
7. Check for brake fluid, grease or oil on the
linings. Do NOT reuse contaminated linings.
8. Check the brake shoes for rust and bending.
9. Check the brake drums for wear or damage.
10. Check the brake lines for cracking, pinching
and corrosion.
11. Check the wheel cylinders for leaking and
binding. (See page 17).
12. Before assembly, lubricate the sliding parts
with a thin layer of Meritor specification 0-616
brake lubricant such as Texaco Thermatex
EP-2 grease or equivalent listed on page 31.
13. Assemble the brakes.
14. Bleed the hydraulic system. (See page 19.)
