Michigan Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Practice Exam

What is the correct method to check your truck's slack adjusters?

1. Turn the adjusting wheel

2. Inspect visually from a distance

3. Use gloves and pull hard on each slack adjuster you can reach

4. Perform a brake test

The correct answer is: Use gloves and pull hard on each slack adjuster you can reach

The correct method to check your truck's slack adjusters is to use gloves and pull hard on each slack adjuster you can reach. This approach allows the driver to assess the slack adjusters' functionality directly and ensures they are properly adjusted. When you physically pull on the slack adjuster, you can determine whether there is excessive play or if it is functioning as it should. Slack adjusters are crucial for the braking system; they connect the brake chamber to the brake shoes, so ensuring they are tight and working correctly is vital for safety. Employing gloves during this process is also a smart choice, as it protects the driver’s hands from potential abrasions or sharp edges. This hands-on inspection is more reliable than a visual check from a distance or simply turning the adjusting wheel, as it directly engages with the mechanical components. Additionally, while performing a brake test is important for overall safety and functionality of the braking system, it does not specifically assess the condition of the slack adjusters in the same direct manner as pulling on them would.