Abstract: A brake lining wear sensor includes a thermoplastic body that is secured to a support plate between adjacent brake lining blocks. The support plate includes an opening formed within a gap between adjacent lining blocks. The thermoplastic body is received within the opening and includes a central bore that extends from a first body end to a second body end. A sensor wire is received within the bore and includes a single looped portion that extends outwardly from an end face of the second body end. The single looped portion is positioned at a predefined maximum lining wear limit. When the single looped portion is broken due to contact with a rotating brake component, a warning signal is communicated to an operator to indicate that the predefined maximum lining wear limit has been reached.

Abstract: A brake lining wear sensor includes a first portion attached to a brake lining support plate, a second portion that engages a rotating brake component after brake lining material wears to a predetermined wear level, and an internal bore that extends through the first and said second portions. A sensor wire is received within the internal bore and includes a looped portion positioned within the second portion such that the looped portion is held at a predetermined brake lining wear level limit. When the looped portion is broken due to contact with a rotating brake component, a warning signal is communicated to an operator to indicate that a wear limit has been reached.

Abstract: A brake spider includes a spider body with a central opening and a slot for receiving a camshaft and bracket assembly. The brake spider is attached to an axle housing via the central opening. The slot is defined by an inner surface that does not completely surround the camshaft. The slot allows the camshaft and bracket assembly to be removed from a wheel end assembly for service operations without having to remove other components from the wheel end assembly, such as a wheel hub, for example.

Abstract: An electronic sensor for a vehicle braking system comprises an electrically conducting member housed inside an insulating body. A clip is adapted to receive the sensor and attached to a braking element of the vehicle braking system, preferably between adjacent portions of a brake lining. The clip is placed at a predetermined location such that a braking surface wears down only the brake lining without contacting the conducting member until the lining is sufficiently worn. At that time, the conducting member is separated to break an electrical circuit and provide an electronic signal.

Abstract: A brake slack adjuster is provided that includes a housing having an opening with a gear arranged within the opening. The housing includes a bore adjacent to the opening. A worm gear has an axis disposed within the bore and is an engagement with the gear. The worm gear has an end portion with helical teeth. An actuator loosely is arranged within the bore and includes an inner surface with complementary helical teeth engaging the helical teeth of the worm gear. An actuator rod includes an end arranged within the actuator aperture. The rod end is captured in the actuator by a retainer. A pawl assembly is supported by the housing and coacts with the actuator for retaining the actuator in a rotational position relative to the axis. Biasing members are arranged between the actuator and housing bore to urge the actuator engagement with the worm gear end portion.