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Reasons for Truck Brake Failure

When a trucker does not apply the brakes properly, this can cause a devastating accident. While it is critical to stay safe and to keep others safe all the time, many drivers get hit with brake related violations more than anything else. More than four million roadside inspections are conducted for commercial vehicles each year. Brake failure in commercial vehicles can be very serious and each year leads to hundreds of accidents.

How can truck drivers prepare themselves for Brake safety?

Brake related violations report for almost 15% of all commercial vehicle violations in 2019 and prevention will keep your truck on the road instead of being parked by inspectors. The first step is knowing what to seek for. The following reasons are the top brake issues that truck drivers come across:

Brake Imbalance

Simply put, imbalance in the brake system when one or more of the brakes are exerting more or less force than the others. It happens when you have mismatched parts, error in the pneumatic system applying air pressure unevenly. Brake imbalance is one of the most common causes of jackknifing the vehicle.

Brake overheating

Overheating of brakes can sometimes cause the above mentioned point, but the top culprit is drivers using poor braking techniques while traveling downhill. It greatly affects the life of brakes and it can cause temporary malfunctions to control the vehicle's speed.

Owner Negligence

The most common cause of brake failure is owner's negligence. Brakes like any other parts of an automobile have a limited lifespan and should be occasionally inspected for wear. However many brands of brake pads and shoes boast a long life. It is an estimate based on ordinary driving patterns. If you constantly stop and go in cities or neighborhoods the life of the brake pads and shoes will be highly reduced.

Faulty suspension

A misconfigured suspension system can wreak havoc on brakes by causing similar issues to brake imbalance. Softening suspension can reduce stress on brakes and also result in smooth driving experience on road.

Trailer Overload

Even the best kept, newest brakes on a truck cannot withstand excessively heavy loads. Even a single trailer overload is enough to cause brake failure. Do not risk endangering public highways for a load larger than your truck can handle.

Hose chafing and kinking

Previous year, the CVSA discovered chafing and kinking of brake tubes as a top violation.

• 2,567 units had chafed rubber hose violation
• 1,347 units had chafed thermoplastic hose violation
• 2,704 violations comprise chafed rubber hoses
• 1,683 violations including kinked thermoplastic hoses

Lubrication

A vehicle that undergoes a harsh winter should reapply lubricant both before and after the season. Insufficient lubrication of your caliper pins, clips, mounting tabs, brake back sides can make your brakes wear much sooner than expected.

Driving through mud or water

Driving through mud or water will naturally lubricate your brake pads and rotor disks. Lightly tapping the brakes can help remove excess water and re-establish the appropriate friction between your car's brake pads and rotor disks. Consistently, use caution when driving in wet conditions, specifically when your car's wheels are partially submerged in water.

Loss of Hydraulic Brake Fluid Pressure

Loss of hydraulic brake fluid pressure will decrease your ability to stop immediately. If your brakes do not work at all or are working modestly, tap the brakes various times to help force fluid throughout the brake system. Though effective in helping to stop your car, this technique should not be used unless absolutely necessary. Have a certified brake specialist to check your brake system for any leaks and refill the reservoir with brake fluid.

Damaged Rotor Disks

Damaged or scored rotor disks on the wheel can reduce the life of your brake pads, making stopping more tough. Have your rotor disk repaired or turned by a trained mechanic when your brake pads are replaced.

Overloading automobile

Overloading an automobile will change its capability to stop and probably damage the brake system. Load the car only as recommended by the owner's manual.

Truck Maintenance

Faulty brakes don't come off overnight. It is due to an oversight. Make truck maintenance a priority so that you are always in the clear with DOT regulations. Violations can increase CSA score by as much as 10 points, becoming not so pretty ding on the record. Fleet managers can take the initiative as well, by implementing a more robust fleet safety program. Checking your brakes with oil change is a great habit that will save your lot of time while you hit the road.