2
SAFE MAINTENANCE PRACTICES
WARNING! PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW
THESE INSTRUCTIONS TO AVOID
PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH:
When working on or around a vehicle, the following
general precautions should be observed at all times:
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply the parking
brakes, and always block the wheels. Always wear
safety glasses. Where specifically directed, the
parking brakes may have to be released, and/or
spring brakes caged, and this will require that the
vehicle be prevented from moving by other means
for the duration of these tests/procedures.
2. Stop the engine and remove ignition key when
working under or around the vehicle. When working
in the engine compartment, the engine should be
shut off and the ignition key should be removed.
Where circumstances require that the engine be in
operation, EXTREME CAUTION should be used to
prevent personal injury resulting from contact with
moving, rotating, leaking, heated or electrically
charged components.
3. Do not attempt to install, remove, disassemble
or assemble a component until you have read
and thoroughly understand the recommended
procedures. Use only the proper tools and observe
all precautions pertaining to use of those tools.
4. If the work is being performed on the vehicle’s
air brake system, or any auxiliary pressurized air
systems, make certain to drain the air pressure from
all reservoirs before beginning ANY work on the
vehicle. If the vehicle is equipped with an AD-IS
®
air
dryer system or a dryer reservoir module, be sure
to drain the purge reservoir.
5. Following the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended
procedures, deactivate the electrical system in a
manner that safely removes all electrical power from
the vehicle.
6. Never exceed manufacturer’s recommended
pressures.
7. Never connect or disconnect a hose or line
containing pressure; it may whip. Never remove a
component or plug unless you are certain all system
pressure has been depleted.
8. Use only genuine Bendix
®
replacement parts,
components and kits. Replacement hardware,
tubing, hose, fittings, etc. must be of equivalent
size, type and strength as original equipment and
be designed specifically for such applications and
systems.
9. Components with stripped threads or damaged
parts should be replaced rather than repaired. Do
not attempt repairs requiring machining or welding
unless specifically stated and approved by the
vehicle and component manufacturer.
10. Prior to returning the vehicle to service, make certain
all components and systems are restored to their
proper operating condition.
11. For vehicles with Antilock Traction Control (ATC),
the ATC function must be disabled (ATC indicator
lamp should be ON) prior to performing any vehicle
maintenance where one or more wheels on a drive
axle are lifted off the ground and moving.
WARNING:
Not all wheels and valve stems are
compatible with Bendix Air Disc Brakes. Use only
wheels and valve stems approved by the vehicle
manufacturer to avoid the risk of valve stem shear and
other compatibility issues.
BRAKE DUST WARNING:
AVOID CREATING DUST WHEN WORKING
WITH BRAKE PADS DUE TO POSSIBLE
CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD.
While Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC does
not offer asbestos-containing brake linings or disc
pads, the long-term effects of certain non-asbestos
fibers have not been determined. Current OSHA
Regulations cover exposure levels to some, but not all,
components of non-asbestos linings and pads. The
following precautions should be used when handling
these materials:
• Avoid creating dust. Compressed air or dry
brushing must never be used to clean brake
assemblies or the work area.
• Brake workers must take steps to minimize
their exposure to airborne brake lining particles.
Procedures to reduce exposure include: working
in a well-ventilated area, segregating areas where
brake work is performed, using local filtered
ventilation systems or enclosed cells with filtered
vacuums for all brake work. Respirators approved
by the Mine Safety and Health Administration
(MSHA) or National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) should be worn at all
times during brake servicing.
• Workers must wash before eating or drinking,
should not use tobacco products in any form,
shower after working, and not wear work clothes
home. Work clothes should be vacuumed using
a high efficiency particulate filter (HEPA) vacuum
and laundered separately without shaking.
• OSHA Regulations regarding testing, disposal
of waste and methods of reducing exposure
for asbestos are set forth in 29 Code of Federal
Regulations §1910.001. These Regulations provide
valuable information which can be utilized to
reduce exposure to airborne particles.
• Material Safety Data Sheets on Bendix
®
air disc
brake pads, as required by OSHA, are available
from Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC.
