I have been trying to figure out when Front Brakes became standard on Semi trucks. I know my Pete didn't come with any, and it is 77, and I think there was an 83 in a fleet without any too, but the 94 we bought came with 'em.. So, when did the fitting of front brakes on semis become the norm?

 

oldest truck i drove was a 81 r model mack that had front brakes on it. I didnt even know they made trucks with out them :?: :?: :?: When you say front brakes you mean brakes on your steer axle right??

 

I don't know when they started putting brakes on the steer axles, but I know that back in '72, they were not part of the standard equipment on 18 wheels. In '96, they were "PROPORTIONED" brakes on the steers. You did not get the full braking on the steers like you did on the rest of the rig. I don't know about after the advent of ABS, but prior to that, it was meant to reduce the chances of you losing traction on the steers, and steering control. I haven't asked a mechanic about it lately.