Brake Pads

First of all, on Trucks and Trailers with Drum Brakes, they are equipped with Brake Shoes, Brake Pads are used on equipment equipped with Air Disc Brakes.

Where to draw the line?

When you fill out your DVR at the end of the day write down that the brake shoes are cracked and you are putting it Out of Service till it's fixed or tell your Dispatcher that you are refusing to drive it till it's repaired properly.

You're the Captain of your Ship, if you feel or know the equipment is unsafe, by Federal Law you can refuse to operate the equipment without fear of Retaliation or Termination till it's repaired properly.

Also your CVA Score could be affected by any Citation, or if you are put Out if Service by the D.O.T.

If the Company disciplines you for refusing to drive, you can file a complaint with your local Labor Board and file a Lawsuit.

 

Lost a brake shoe on 1 side of an axle and there was no stopping that truck on flat ground. Don't drive it!

 

Because I am like Curious George, I would have stuck a screwdriver in there to see how badly it was cracked. Oh there's a giant piece missing now? I guess it needs to get fixed

 

I will second how much braking power you lose if even just one set of pads or shoes whatever you want to call them fails. You will be standing on those brakes to make it stop. It isn't that big a job. Just get new ones put on.

 

Good catch. Not because it cannot be seen, but because a lot of drivers overlook the condition of the shoes. And the rare few that don't are usually BS'ed by some cheapskate company or lazy mechanic into driving on them.

Those shoes are frost heaved. You can see it from a mile away. Water gets between the metal shoe and the friction material and expands and cracks the friction.

I have seen shoes like that last for sometime before falling completely apart and yet others will disintegrate almost instantly. Many DOT folks consider that an out-of-service condition. It is not worth a ticket like that to me. So make up your mind when and who you are going to pressure into getting those shoes changed.

 

I'll just add this. Drove a 8 axle truck/pup today. Second round a bad air leak developed. Was running back roads about 5 miles from yard. Did 1 more to finish the haul and parked in the yard. It's Friday and went home at noon. That beer is tasty.

 

Those PADS are OUT OF SERVICE NOW.

DO NOT drive that ######## until fixed. I don't care who anyone tells you to drive it.

The reasons behind my very strong post are too numberous to address properly.

This is very simple. Bad pads. Get new ones put on at the shop. Or stand to lose it on a mountain grade and if you did, and it comes up you DID NOT replace those pads then YOU are the one bit.