Air Brake Repair & Service
Out-of-adjustment brakes are one of the most common reasons a truck fails a roadside inspection — and one of the easiest things to prevent. We inspect and adjust the whole system, not just the pads or shoes that are easy to see.
Symptoms we see
| Symptom | Likely cause | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Uneven braking, pulling to one side | Out-of-adjustment slack adjusters or uneven lining wear side to side | Check slack adjuster travel and lining wear on all wheel ends |
| Brakes feel weak or take longer to stop | Worn linings, glazed drums or rotors, or low air pressure reaching the chambers | Inspect linings and drums/rotors, check chamber pressure and pushrod stroke |
| Grinding or scraping noise from a wheel end | Linings worn to the metal, or a damaged drum/rotor | Inspect immediately — this is a safety issue, not a maintenance-later item |
| ABS light on | Wheel speed sensor fault or a wiring issue | Pull ABS codes and test the affected wheel speed sensor and wiring |
| Failed a roadside brake inspection | Slack adjusters or pushrod stroke out of spec — a top CSA violation | Full brake adjustment and inspection across all wheel ends before the truck goes back out |
SymptomUneven braking, pulling to one side
Likely causeOut-of-adjustment slack adjusters or uneven lining wear side to side
What we doCheck slack adjuster travel and lining wear on all wheel ends
SymptomBrakes feel weak or take longer to stop
Likely causeWorn linings, glazed drums or rotors, or low air pressure reaching the chambers
What we doInspect linings and drums/rotors, check chamber pressure and pushrod stroke
SymptomGrinding or scraping noise from a wheel end
Likely causeLinings worn to the metal, or a damaged drum/rotor
What we doInspect immediately — this is a safety issue, not a maintenance-later item
SymptomABS light on
Likely causeWheel speed sensor fault or a wiring issue
What we doPull ABS codes and test the affected wheel speed sensor and wiring
SymptomFailed a roadside brake inspection
Likely causeSlack adjusters or pushrod stroke out of spec — a top CSA violation
What we doFull brake adjustment and inspection across all wheel ends before the truck goes back out
What the job involves
We measure pushrod stroke and slack adjuster travel on every wheel end, not just the ones that sound or feel off — an out-of-adjustment brake on one side is a common cause of uneven wear on the others.
Linings, drums, and rotors get inspected for wear and condition, and we check whether it’s S-cam drum brakes or air disc brakes, since the service points differ.
ABS and wheel speed sensor issues get diagnosed through the system, not just by clearing the light.
For fleet customers, we document what we find and fix — that record supports your DVIR and CSA score, not just gets the truck back on the road.
What drives the cost
What this costs depends on how many wheel ends need attention, whether it’s adjustment or worn components, and S-cam drum brakes versus air disc brakes. We tell you after we look at it, before we start.
Common questions
Why do out-of-adjustment brakes matter so much?
They’re one of the most common roadside inspection violations and directly affect your CSA score, not just stopping distance.
How often should brakes be checked?
Every PM interval at minimum — slack adjusters and pushrod stroke should be part of every inspection, not just when something feels off.
Do you work on air disc brakes?
Yes — both S-cam drum brakes and air disc brakes.
What triggers the ABS light?
Usually a wheel speed sensor or wiring fault. We pull codes to confirm before replacing anything.
What does a brake job cost?
Depends how many wheel ends need attention and whether it’s adjustment or worn components. We inspect the whole system first.
Related services
Air Leak & Air System Repair
A truck that won’t build air pressure isn’t going anywhere — brakes need it to release. We work through the system in order: compressor, dryer, tanks, then lines, instead of guessing at the source.
Learn more Compliance
DOT Annual Inspection
The federal DOT annual inspection (49 CFR 396.17) is required on every commercial vehicle every 12 months, and it’s not a formality — brakes, lights, tires, and leaks are what actually fail trucks. We inspect to the real standard, not a quick glance.
Learn more
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Call now or send a quote request — we’ll tell you what it takes to fix it.