How to Use a Manual Slack Adjuster

To use a manual slack adjuster, first measure the length of the arm from the big gear at the bottom of the slack adjuster to the small pin at the end. It should be between five and six inches. Afterwards, back off the hexagonal adjusting bolt until the running clearance is restored. It may take a considerable amount of force and you may hear a ratcheting noise.

Alternatively, you can use a pry bar and wrench to adjust the slack. For this, you need a hammer, gloves, and a 9/16-inch wrench. You should also chock the wheels and release the parking brakes. In order to do this, you should make sure that the pressure in the system is above one hundred pounds.

If the manual slack adjuster is out of adjustment, it is likely that there is a problem somewhere else. It may be a faulty installation or a component that is worn or faulty. If you're a good driver, you won't need to adjust it often. Good drivers rarely apply more than 15 psi on the brakes.

The demand for slack adjusters is directly related to the number of vehicles being sold in North America. With a second-largest share of the global commercial vehicle market, North America is a key region for slack adjusters.