5 - 17
MAINTENANCE
Read all of this manual to become thoroughly familiar with this vehicle. Pay particular attention to all Notices, Cautions, Warnings, and Dangers.
5
BRAKES
To reduce the possibility of severe injury or
death, always evaluate pedal travel before oper-
ating a vehicle to verify some braking function is
present.
All driving brake tests must be done in a safe
location with regard for the safety of all person-
nel.
Over time, a subtle loss of performance may take place; there-
fore, it is important to establish the standard with a new vehicle.
The Periodic Brake Performance Test should be performed
regularly as an evaluation of braking system performance.
It is useful as a method of identifying subtle loss of perfor-
mance over time.
Periodic Brake Test For Mechani-
cal Brakes
The purpose of this test is to compare the braking perfor-
mance of the vehicle to the braking performance of new or
‘known to be good’ vehicles or to an established acceptable
stopping distance. Actual stopping distances will be influ-
enced by weather conditions, terrain, road surface condi-
tion, actual vehicle weight (accessories installed) and
vehicle speed. No specific braking distance can be reliably
specified. The test is conducted by latching the parking
brake to eliminate different pedal pressures and to include
the affects of linkage mis-adjustment.
Establish the acceptable stopping distance by testing a new
or ‘known to be good’ vehicle and recording the stopping
location or stopping distance. For fleets of vehicles, several
vehicles should be tested when new and the range of stop-
ping locations or distances recorded.
Drive the vehicle at maximum speed on a flat, dry, clean, paved surface (Ref. Fig. 16 on page 15). Quickly depress the
brake pedal to latch the parking brake at the line or marker in the test area and remove foot from pedal. The vehicle
should stop aggressively. The wheel brakes may or may not lock. Observe the vehicle stopping location or measure the
vehicle stopping distance from the point at which the brakes were latched. The vehicle should stop within the ‘normal’
range of stopping distances. If the vehicle stops more than 4 ft. (1.2 m) beyond the acceptable stopping distance or
pulls to one side, the vehicle has failed the test and should be tested again.
If the vehicle fails the second test, it should immediately be removed from service. The vehicle must be inspected by
a qualified mechanic who should refer to the TROUBLESHOOTING section in the Technician’s Repair and Service
Manual.
Latch
Parking Brake
and Take Foot
Off Pedal
Line or Marker
Acceptable
Stopping
Distance
Normal Range of
Stopping Distance
Any vehicles that stop
more than 4 ft. (1.2 m)
beyond the Acceptable
Stopping Distance or
pulls to one side should
be removed from service
and inspected by a
qualified mechanic
Accelerate To
Maximum Speed
4 ft. (1.2 m)
Line or Marker
Dry, Level, Clean, Paved Surface
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