1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148 
AIR BRAKE DIAGNOSTICS — CHECKING THE SYSTEM
Page 125
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Air brake system defects are the major cause of HGV annual test and roadside test failures.
Vehicle Inspectorate figures showed that in 1987/88 almost one third of these annual tests revealed some defect. Even after on-the-spot repairs for minor faults, 25% of all trucks and 18.8% of trailers failed. The single greatest cause of failure was air brake system defects.
Most problems were minor malfunctions which would not seriously affect overall safety. Nevertheless, the figures do not well serve the image and reputation of the road transport industry.
In response, Bendix Aftennarket Division is marketing its 'TEST CASE,' which can quickly diagnose faults in air brake systems. The experience of the Bendix Service Department confirms that this simple air brake equipment test can quickly pinpoint system faults and eliminate costly guesswork.
The Bendix 'TEST CASE' is simple to use and portable, "housed" in a tough, polypropylene "briefcase".
The Test Case contains three air pressure gauges — calibrated to BS1780 (accuracy and overload) DIN16064, and three 5-metre flexible hoses fitted with quick-release fittings to attach to standard ISO test points on the vehicle air brake system.
There are also operating instructions, to be used with the manufacturer's service manual. Following a series of simple tests, it is possible to locate and identify actual and potential problems. The basic tests for a tractor and trailer air system are described and illustrated here.
Before commencing tests check the wheels. Then drain all air reservoirs to remove excess moisture. Clean test points (a brass bristle brush is included in the TEST CASE), before use and replace plastic caps afterwards. Cary out the following tests using the braking system schematic diagram supplied, and in conjunction with the vehicle manufacturers' instructions.