Neat little trick I learned about meritor slacks...

[Porchclimber]

The NTSB is looking to change the law to where it would be mandatory to replace an out of adjustment auto slack.
IE: out of service.

I use some tie straps on the pushrods so I can quick eyeball the brake stroke without getting dirty. not to mention that I can measure them with a tape measure easier when I crawl underneath.
I trust my eyesight but I don't trust the eyesight of any DOT so I never worry what they're going to find during any Level One because I already know the answer.
It's the little chickensh*t stuff that you have to look for just to DOT proof the truck.
It's not the DOT officers that know their job that you have to protect yourself against but the one's that don't.

I also use PetroCan synthetic gold grease in the slacks as I find it much better in the slacks in the wintertime as a lot of other greases bind in the really cold weather and with the liquid rust that they dump on the roads these days because it makes gravel and sand cling more..
Sometimes I back them right off and grease them and then just use the pedal( or spike) to adjust them up and work the grease in.

That's just my opinion and what I find works for me.

I haven't found a brand of "auto" slack that I trust although Rockwell slacks are my preference.

Most slack adjusters have a 5 years "replacement only" warranty.
This means parts only
No labor.

Auto slacks are anything but maintenance free but it's looking like disc brakes are going to be a big thing in the near future with the new upcoming laws governing the stopping distance of trucks.

I'm curious how the new laws will interact with Mother Natures' Laws (slippery roads)

[bob h]

quote="Porchclimber"]The NTSB is looking to change the law to where it would be mandatory to replace an out of adjustment auto slack.
IE: out of service.

what do you do with auto slacks that don't work... law says they must be auto slacks

I use some tie straps on the pushrods so I can quick eyeball the brake stroke without getting dirty. not to mention that I can measure them with a tape measure easier when I crawl underneath.

good tip...

I trust my eyesight but I don't trust the eyesight of any DOT so I never worry what they're going to find during any Level One because I already know the answer.
It's the little chickensh*t stuff that you have to look for just to DOT proof the truck.
It's not the DOT officers that know their job that you have to protect yourself against but the one's that don't.

I also use PetroCan synthetic gold grease in the slacks as I find it much better in the slacks in the wintertime as a lot of other greases bind in the really cold weather and with the liquid rust that they dump on the roads these days because it makes gravel and sand cling more..

i always have recommended #1 lithium for auto slacks (slacks ONLY)

Sometimes I back them right off and grease them and then just use the pedal( or spike) to adjust them up and work the grease in.

I would still do a manual pre-adjustment first... overstroking a chamber can cause other problems

That's just my opinion and what I find works for me.

I haven't found a brand of "auto" slack that I trust although Rockwell slacks are my preference.

Most slack adjusters have a 5 years "replacement only" warranty.
This means parts only
No labor.

Auto slacks are anything but maintenance free but it's looking like disc brakes are going to be a big thing in the near future with the new upcoming laws governing the stopping distance of trucks.

I'm curious how the new laws will interact with Mother Natures' Laws (slippery roads)[/quote]

brakes don't have much to do with slippery roads... the tires are your new friction factor on adverse surfaces