OOSC, Part II, Item 1. Brake System, a. - Brake Adjustment (Automatic Brake Adjusters)

Roadside inspectors are getting a false sense of certainty when a CMV is placed out-of-service for excessive Automatic Slack Adjusters (ASA) push-rod travel and the CMV is repaired when the ASA(s) are adjusted at the inspection site. There's a probability that the ASA(s) are defected, therefore, requiring replacement or the person adjusting the ASA(s) at the inspection site could actually break the worm gear causing the ASA(s) to become defective. Organizations like NTSB and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommend only adjusting ASA(s) during installation.

If CMV inspectors are allowing CMVs to be placed back in-service after the adjustment of an ASA, there's a chance that the ASA will be back out of adjustment after the vehicle leaves the original inspection site. This is not accomplishing our mission by getting unsafe vehicles off the roadway.

Address the issue of drivers and/or motor carrier representatives being permitted by roadside inspectors to adjust ASA(s) on CMVs and the vehicle being permitted to be placed back in-service, especially, if it's unknown to the roadside inspector that the ASA was defective prior to the inspection requiring replacement or if the person at the inspection site will break the ASA.