How does a manual slack adjuster work?

A manual slack adjuster is a component of an air brake system in vehicles, typically found in heavy-duty trucks and buses. Its primary function is to adjust the clearance or "slack" between the brake shoes and the brake drum to ensure effective braking performance.

Here's a simplified explanation of how a manual slack adjuster works:

1.Construction: A manual slack adjuster consists of a yoke, an adjusting bolt, a clevis, and an adjusting nut. The yoke is attached to the brake chamber push rod, which receives compressed air from the brake system. The adjusting bolt connects the yoke to the slack adjuster body, while the clevis connects the slack adjuster to the brake camshaft.

2.Brake Adjustment: When the brake pedal is pressed, air pressure is sent to the brake chamber, which pushes the push rod forward. The forward movement of the push rod transfers motion to the yoke of the slack adjuster.

3.Actuation: As the yoke moves, it rotates the slack adjuster body, which is connected to the brake camshaft. The rotation of the slack adjuster turns the brake camshaft, causing the brake shoes to move outward against the brake drum.

4.Slack Adjustment: The adjusting bolt on the slack adjuster provides the means to manually adjust the clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum. By rotating the adjusting bolt, the effective length of the slack adjuster can be increased or decreased, resulting in the adjustment of the brake shoe clearance.

5.Proper Clearance: The goal of the manual slack adjuster is to maintain the correct amount of clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum. This ensures that the brake shoes can engage the drum properly when the brakes are applied, maximizing braking efficiency and reducing the risk of brake problems such as excessive wear, overheating, or brake fade.

3464201838 Europe truck manual brake adjuster right side for benz