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Section Summary Questions

  1. What are the five basic components of an air brake system?
  2. What are two standard main reservoir pressures for the operation of a vehicle’s air brakes?
  3. At what pressure should the governor cause the compressor to return to its pumping stage?
  4. How is a plugged air filter likely to affect the compressor?
  5. What causes moisture to form in the air brake system?
  6. When is the compressor able to accomplish most of its cooling?
  7. How are most compressors lubricated?
  8. How often should the main reservoirs be drained?
  9. Is it necessary to allow all the pressure to escape from the reservoir in order to remove the moisture and sludge which may have accumulated?
  10. What is the maximum pressure available for a full brake application at any given time?
  11. What will result if the brake drums are worn thin or turned too far?
  12. If the governor valve failed to ‘unload’ the compressor, what would be the result?
  13. What is the purpose of having more than one reservoir?
  14. What are two functions of the slack adjuster?
  15. Does the amount of slack in the brake linkages have any effect on the braking efficiency of the vehicle?
  16. What is the advantage of keeping the brake chamber push rod travel adjusted to minimum travel?
  17. What is the most common cause of loss of effective braking in an air brake system, loss of air pressure or loss of brake adjustment?
  18. Do automatic slack adjusters on ‘S’ cam brakes require checking?
  19. Can the adjustment on air operated disc brakes differ from ‘S’ cam type brakes?
  20. What occurs when drum brakes become overheated?
  21. What causes brake fade at high temperatures?
  22. What is the main function of the foot valve?
  23. Why does the ‘feel’ of an air operated foot valve differ from a hydraulic brake pedal?
  24. On what principle does a disc brake operate?