2018
Current Braking Practices
The infl uencers
When it comes to brake repair and service practices,
fleets have many decisions to make – from managing
replacement parts and components, to purchasing brake
tools and shop equipment. For the majority of fleets, that
purchasing responsibility belongs to the fleet maintenance
manager, according to findings from the 2018 Fleet
Maintenance Brake Study.
Of the survey respondents:
• 96 percent indicated they either give final approval or
recommend/influence which brakes and brake system
parts and components are purchased for their fleet.
While technicians are responsible for some brake tool
and equipment purchasing, survey respondents indicate
management (maintenance management, fleet management
What is your role in purchasing each of the following?
Approve Recommend/Influence No Influence
6 Fleet Maintenance | March 2018
or corporate management) is the primary purchaser
for the following:
• 91 percent say management is the primary purchaser for
brake shop equipment.
• 79 percent say management is the primary purchaser for
brake service tools.
No matter who the purchaser is, technician training on
proper maintenance procedures is imperative when it comes
to any repair, but especially braking systems.
The most popular sources for technician training on brake
repair and components were brake system OEMs, supplier
and vendors (74 percent), online (38 percent) and vehicle
dealers (37 percent), followed by technical schools (30 percent),
industry events and conferences (22 percent) and organizations
and trade associations (22 percent).
By Vesna Brajkovic, Assistant Editor
80%
35%
4%
76%
73%
35%
38%
6%
6%
Brakes and brake
system parts and
components
Tools used for
repairing and
servicing brakes
and brake systems
Equipment used
for repairing and
servicing brakes
and brake systems
Respondents selected all that apply.