§FMCSR.com
Historical textIn force on June 1, 2015Source: annual CFR editions 2012–2016

§ 393.47 Brake actuators, slack adjusters, linings/pads and drums/rotors.

Wording in the annual edition revised as of Oct. 1, 2012, superseded October 14, 2021.

govinfo, 2014 edition ↗
Before Jan. 1, 2017 the record is one snapshot per annual CFR edition, revised as of October 1. This is the 2014 edition's wording. An amendment that took effect between Oct. 1, 2014 and June 1, 2015 would not appear until the next edition, so check the citations below and the Federal Register for exact effective dates.
What changedOct. 1, 2009 wording → Oct. 1, 2012 wording+410 added−96 removedHide

(a) General requirements. Brake components must be constructed, installed and maintained to prevent excessive fading and grabbing. The means of attachment and physical characteristics must provide for safe and reliable stopping of the commercial motor vehicle.
(b) Brake chambers. The service brake chambers and spring brake chambers on each end of an axle must be the same size.
(c) Slack adjusters. The effective length of the slack adjuster on each end of an axle must be the same.
(d) Linings and pads. The thickness of the brake linings or pads shall meet the applicable requirements of this paragraph— -
(1) Steering axle brakes. The brake lining/pad thickness on the steering axle of a truck, truck-tractor or bus shall not be less than 4.8 mm (
3/16 inch) at the shoe center for a shoe with a continuous strip of lining; less than 6.4 mm (
1/4 inch) at the shoe center for a shoe with two pads; or worn to the wear indicator if the lining is so marked, for air drum brakes. The steering axle brake lining/pad thickness shall not be less than 3.2 mm (
1/8 inch) for air disc brakes, or 1.6 mm (
1/16 inch) or less for hydraulic disc, drum and electric brakes.
(2) Non-steering axle brakes. An air braked commercial motor vehicle shall not be operated with brake lining/pad thickness less than 6.4 mm (
1/4 inch) or to the wear indicator if the lining is so marked (measured at the shoe center for drum brakes); or less than 3.2 mm (
1/8 inch) for disc brakes. Hydraulic or electric braked commercial motor vehicles shall not be operated with a lining/pad thickness less than 1.6 mm (
1/16 inch) (measured at the shoe center) for disc or drum brakes.
(e) Clamp, andBendix rotoDD-chamber3, bolt-type, and rotochamber brake actuator readjustment limits. (1) The pushrod travelstroke formust clampnot andbe rotogreater than the values specified in the following tables:
Clamp
-Type Brake Chambers
Type
Outside diameter
Brake readjustment limit: standard stroke
chamber
Brake
typereadjustment actuatorslimit: mustlong bestroke lesschamber
6 4
1/2
thanin. 80(114 percentmm) 1
1/4
ofin. the(31.8 ratedmm)
9 5
1/4
strokesin. listed(133 mm) 1
3/8
in. SAE(34.9 J1817—Longmm)
12 5
11/16
Strokein. Air(145 Brakemm) 1
3/8
Actuatorin. Marking,(34.9 Julymm) 1
3/4
2001in. (See44.5 §mm).
16 6
3/8
393in. (162 mm) 1
3/4 in. (44.5 mm) 2 in. (50.8 mm).
20 6
25/32 in. (172 mm) 1
3/4 in. (44.5 mm) 2 in. (50.8 mm).
2
1/2 in. (63.5 mm).
1
24
7
7/32
in. (b184 mm) 1
3/4
forin. information(44.5 onmm) 2 incorporationin. by(50.8 referencemm).
2
1/2
andin. availability(63.5 ofmm).
2
30 8
3/32
thisin. document(206 mm), 2 orin. 80(50.8 percentmm) 2
1/2
ofin. the(63.5 mm).
36 9 in. (229 mm) 2
1/4 in. (57.2 mm)
1 For type 20 chambers with a 3-inch (76 mm)
rated stroke.
2
markedFor ontype the24 brakechambers chamberwith bya the3-inch chamber(76 manufacturer,mm) orrated thestroke.
Bendix
DD-3 Brake Chambers
Type
Outside diameter
Brake
readjustment limit
30 8
1/8
markedin. on(206 themm) 2
1/4
brakein. chamber(57.2 bymm).
Bolt-Type
theBrake chamberChambers
Type
Outside
manufacturerdiameter
Brake readjustment limit
A 6
15/16 in
. The(176 pushrodmm) 1
3/8
travelin. for(34.9 mm).
B 9
3/16 in. (234 mm) 1
3/4 in. (44.5 mm).
C 8
1/16 in. (205 mm) 1
3/4 in. (44.5 mm).
D 5
1/4 in. (133 mm) 1
1/4 in. (31.8 mm).
E 6
3/16 in. (157 mm) 1
3/8 in. (34.9 mm).
F 11 in. (279 mm) 2
1/4 in. (57.2 mm).
G 9
7/8 in. (251 mm) 2 in. (50.8 mm).
Rotochamber-
Type Brake Chambers
Type
Outside diameter
Brake readjustment limit
9 4
9/32 in. (109 mm) 1
1/2 in. (38.1 mm).
12 4
13/
16 andin. (122 mm) 1
1/2 in. (38.1 mm).
16 5
13/32 in. (138 mm) 2 in. (50.8 mm).
20 5
15/16
longin. stroke(151 clampmm) 2 typein. brake(50.8 actuatorsmm).
24 6
13/32
mustin. be(163 lessmm) 2 thanin. 51(50.8 mm).
30 7
1/16
in. (180 mm) 2
1/4
inchesin. (57.2 mm).
36 7
5/8
orin. (194 mm) 2
3/4 in. (69.9 mm).
50 8
7/8 in. (226 mm) 3 in. (76.2 mm).
(2) For actuator types not listed in these tables, the pushrod stroke must not be greater than
80 percent of the rated stroke marked on the brakeactuator chamber by the chamberactuator manufacturer, or greater than the readjustment limit marked on the brakeactuator chamber by the chamberactuator manufacturer.
(f) Wedge brake adjustment. The movement of the scribe mark on the lining shall not exceed 1.6 mm (
1/16 inch).
(g) Drums and rotors. The thickness of the drums or rotors shall not be less than the limits established by the brake drum or rotor manufacturer.
[70 FR 48051, Aug. 15, 2005, as amended at 77 FR 46638, Aug. 6, 2012]

(a) General requirements. Brake components must be constructed, installed and maintained to prevent excessive fading and grabbing. The means of attachment and physical characteristics must provide for safe and reliable stopping of the commercial motor vehicle.

(b) Brake chambers. The service brake chambers and spring brake chambers on each end of an axle must be the same size.

(c) Slack adjusters. The effective length of the slack adjuster on each end of an axle must be the same.

(d) Linings and pads. The thickness of the brake linings or pads shall meet the applicable requirements of this paragraph -

(1) Steering axle brakes. The brake lining/pad thickness on the steering axle of a truck, truck-tractor or bus shall not be less than 4.8 mm ( 3/16 inch) at the shoe center for a shoe with a continuous strip of lining; less than 6.4 mm ( 1/4 inch) at the shoe center for a shoe with two pads; or worn to the wear indicator if the lining is so marked, for air drum brakes. The steering axle brake lining/pad thickness shall not be less than 3.2 mm ( 1/8 inch) for air disc brakes, or 1.6 mm ( 1/16 inch) or less for hydraulic disc, drum and electric brakes.

(2) Non-steering axle brakes. An air braked commercial motor vehicle shall not be operated with brake lining/pad thickness less than 6.4 mm ( 1/4 inch) or to the wear indicator if the lining is so marked (measured at the shoe center for drum brakes); or less than 3.2 mm ( 1/8 inch) for disc brakes. Hydraulic or electric braked commercial motor vehicles shall not be operated with a lining/pad thickness less than 1.6 mm ( 1/16 inch) (measured at the shoe center) for disc or drum brakes.

(e) Clamp, Bendix DD-3, bolt-type, and rotochamber brake actuator readjustment limits. (1) The pushrod stroke must not be greater than the values specified in the following tables:

Clamp-Type Brake Chambers

Type Outside diameter Brake readjustment limit: standard stroke chamber Brake readjustment limit: long stroke chamber
64 1/2 in. (114 mm)1 1/4 in. (31.8 mm)
95 1/4 in. (133 mm)1 3/8 in. (34.9 mm)
125 11/16 in. (145 mm)1 3/8 in. (34.9 mm)1 3/4 in. (44.5 mm).
166 3/8 in. (162 mm)1 3/4 in. (44.5 mm)2 in. (50.8 mm).
206 25/32 in. (172 mm)1 3/4 in. (44.5 mm)2 in. (50.8 mm). 2 1/2 in. (63.5 mm). 1
247 7/32 in. (184 mm)1 3/4 in. (44.5 mm)2 in. (50.8 mm). 2 1/2 in. (63.5 mm). 2
308 3/32 in. (206 mm)2 in. (50.8 mm)2 1/2 in. (63.5 mm).
369 in. (229 mm)2 1/4 in. (57.2 mm)

1 For type 20 chambers with a 3-inch (76 mm) rated stroke.

2 For type 24 chambers with a 3-inch (76 mm) rated stroke.

Bendix DD-3 Brake Chambers

Type Outside diameter Brake readjustment limit
308 1/8 in. (206 mm)2 1/4 in. (57.2 mm).

Bolt-Type Brake Chambers

Type Outside diameter Brake readjustment limit
A6 15/16 in. (176 mm)1 3/8 in. (34.9 mm).
B9 3/16 in. (234 mm)1 3/4 in. (44.5 mm).
C8 1/16 in. (205 mm)1 3/4 in. (44.5 mm).
D5 1/4 in. (133 mm)1 1/4 in. (31.8 mm).
E6 3/16 in. (157 mm)1 3/8 in. (34.9 mm).
F11 in. (279 mm)2 1/4 in. (57.2 mm).
G9 7/8 in. (251 mm)2 in. (50.8 mm).

Rotochamber-Type Brake Chambers

Type Outside diameter Brake readjustment limit
94 9/32 in. (109 mm)1 1/2 in. (38.1 mm).
124 13/16 in. (122 mm)1 1/2 in. (38.1 mm).
165 13/32 in. (138 mm)2 in. (50.8 mm).
205 15/16 in. (151 mm)2 in. (50.8 mm).
246 13/32 in. (163 mm)2 in. (50.8 mm).
307 1/16 in. (180 mm)2 1/4 in. (57.2 mm).
367 5/8 in. (194 mm)2 3/4 in. (69.9 mm).
508 7/8 in. (226 mm)3 in. (76.2 mm).

(2) For actuator types not listed in these tables, the pushrod stroke must not be greater than 80 percent of the rated stroke marked on the actuator by the actuator manufacturer, or greater than the readjustment limit marked on the actuator by the actuator manufacturer.

(f) Wedge brake adjustment. The movement of the scribe mark on the lining shall not exceed 1.6 mm ( 1/16 inch).

(g) Drums and rotors. The thickness of the drums or rotors shall not be less than the limits established by the brake drum or rotor manufacturer.

[70 FR 48051, Aug. 15, 2005, as amended at 77 FR 46638, Aug. 6, 2012]

Amendment history

7 distinct wordings on file since Oct. 1, 1996
  1. [70 FR 48051, Aug. 15, 2005, as amended at 77 FR 46638, Aug. 6, 2012; 86 FR 57076, Oct. 14, 2021]
  2. Oct. 1, 2012 → Oct. 14, 2021annual editions 2012–2016diff vs. previousviewing
    [70 FR 48051, Aug. 15, 2005, as amended at 77 FR 46638, Aug. 6, 2012]
  3. [70 FR 48051, Aug. 15, 2005]
  4. [70 FR 48051, Aug. 15, 2005]
  5. Oct. 1, 1996 → Oct. 1, 1999annual editions 1996–1998

A new entry appears whenever the regulatory words change between government snapshots. Day-precise from the eCFR (2017 onward); before that, one snapshot per annual CFR edition (revised as of October 1). Bracketed citations are the Federal Register history printed with the section.