Wheel Ends Smoking or on Fire

Incident: A CMV with a single smoking brake at the wheel end entered a truck check point, a full inspection was completed. The driver was aware of the problem but wanted to continue on to his garage. In the current OOSC this CMV must be allowed to continue. In this instance, there was a defect in the brake system which resulted in one brake remaining engaged at all times which resulted in heavy smoke at that wheel end. This has happened in the past and the driver?s response has ranged from the following:#1 The driver won?t drive it until it is repaired; #2 The driver will back the offending brake off or cage it and continue on, and#3 If he drags it a little ways it will let go and start rolling.

A CMV with smoke or fire at the wheel end (other than a front axle) can not be placed out of service for brake purposes unless it meets and is included in the 20% brake rule. However, a smoking wheel end can be placed OOS if the problem can be related back to wheel bearing failure under item 12. Wheels, Rims and Hubs, i. Hubs, (2).Clearly, a wheel that is smoking or on fire should not be allowed to continue on. Clearly this condition meets the wording and intent in the current OOSC Part II Policy Statement, any motor vehicle which by reason of its mechanical condition or loading would be likely to cause an accident or breakdown. Currently, we have no tool in place to deal with this issue in a uniform manner. We would like to keep our enforcement actions consistant with the nation wide practices that CVSA provides.

In our opinion the solution is to add the following verbiage under item 1. Brake Systems. f. Smoke or fire emitting from wheel end assembly due to brake failure/defect.Example:(a) No action at pushrod when parking brake is released and service brake is applied (Brake stuck on and will not release). Linings and drum will show evidence of this condition, such as emitting high heat, discolored drum; tire rolls hard.(b) Any skidding tire. If this issue is otherwise addressed please respond with the procedure utilized in other regions. Actually this issue is more often raised when motorists call in a TT-Unit with smoke pouring out of the wheels. It is the Vermont State Police's position that this item should be a stand alone OOS item. This in light of the dangers associated with wheel end failure crashes. Of course the danger is extremely increased when hazardous materials are being transported.