
As an in charge of a company fleet brake safety should be your top priority. An optimized braking system keeps your employees, your trucks, and others on the road safe. It also keeps your fleet humming efficiently and your business on track for success. To do that, you need to routinely inspect your fleet brake pads and make repairs when necessary. Below we will talk about the checklist for conducting a fleet brake inspection and where to buy the best brake pads, and other braking components like parking brake shoes in Canada, GeoBrakes Canada.
Tools You Need for Fleet Brake Inspection
As a Fleet manager, you must have some basic tools for fleet brake inspection to keep your vehicles and employees safe on the roads.
Basic Tools:
- Safety Gear
- Safety glasses
- Mechanics gloves
- Lifting Equipment
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Wheel chocks
Hand Tools:
- Socket set and ratchet, Essential for removing bolts and nuts (both metric and SAE).
- Wrench set
- Breaker bar
- Flathead screwdriver
- Heavy hammer
Diagnostic Tools:
- Brake fluid testers
- Micrometers or vernier calipers
- Hydraulic gauges
- Cleaning and Maintenance Supplies
- Brake cleaner or parts cleaner
Checklist for Conducting a Fleet Brake Inspection Preparation
Once you have all the necessary tools, now look for these seven points for a smooth inspection process.
- Make sure you are parked your vehicle on a road surface that is level
- Block/chock the wheels of both the tractor and the trailer
- Check air pressure is at the recommended 90-100 psi
- Turn off the engine and remove the keys for extra safety
- Release the parking brakes
- Confirm that each brake is in the released position
- Listen for any hissing that may indicate an air leak
Step-by-Step Brake Inspection Checklist
Conducting a thorough brake inspection is essential for ensuring the safety and reliability of your fleet vehicles. Follow this detailed checklist to systematically inspect the braking system and identify any potential issues.
- Inspect Air Hoses
Look for areas where air hoses may rub against other components, which can cause wear and lead to leaks. You should also examine hoses for signs of deterioration, such as worn spots down to a second color or visible nylon braids. If you notice any of this replace any compromised hoses. Ensure your brake system stays in top shape—learn how to prevent common issues like air hose damage and rotor warping.
- Damaged Component Check
Check for damaged, broken, or missing components in the braking system, including calipers, pads, rotors, and mounting hardware.
- Measure Brake Pad Thickness
After this measure the thickness of the air drum brake pads. They should be above 1/4 inch; if not, they should be replaced. Also, examine the air disc brake pads to confirm they are above 1/8 inch. Replace any pads that fall below this threshold. Think your brake pads are fine? See why new pads need fresh rotors.
- Check Brake Linings
Your Fleet brake pads and linings should be in good condition. Inspect them for any cracks in the brake pads or linings. Cracked components can lead to reduced braking efficiency and should be replaced. Check for rust-jacked linings from the shoe, indicating moisture intrusion that can compromise performance.
- Examine Camshaft and Bushing
Look for excessive movement on the camshaft due to worn bushings. If bushings are found to be worn, they should be replaced to ensure proper brake function. Is your camshaft causing issues? Find out how to spot brake problems.
- Assess Brake Drum Condition
Double-check that the brake drum has not rusted due to inoperative brakes. Rust can significantly impair braking performance. Inspect the brake drum for any external cracks that could affect its structural integrity.
- Inspect Brake Chamber
A rusted brake chamber may indicate moisture issues and should be addressed because rusting can create a lot of problems. - Measure Push-Rod Travel Stroke
At last, measure the push-rod travel stroke to ensure it meets manufacturer specifications. Excessive travel may indicate adjustment issues or other component failures.
Get Quality Brakes At Affordable Prices from GeoBrakes Canada
At GeoBrakes Canada, we pride ourselves on being the largest brake parts store in Canada that makes safety and performance affordable for everyone. We have a wide collection of brake pads, rotors, brake shoes, and other braking components for any make and model. Parking brake shoes in Canada.
We understand that Braking system components like brake shoe prices in Canada vary and it's really difficult to get a reliable one at a low price. At GeoBrakes Canada, you don’t need to worry about quality or pricing.
We rigorously test our products so that they meet Canadian automotive quality standards. No matter if you are looking for a Disc brake caliper kit, drum brake kit, or anything else we have all. Visit Our online brake parts store and place your order for the brake you need anywhere, anytime.