Does the contact surface between the automatic slack adjuster and other components need to be kept clean?

Ensuring absolute cleanliness of the contact surface with other components is a critical requirement for functionality and lifespan when selecting and using automatic slack adjusters. The specific reasons are as follows:

1. The direct cause of physical interference
Burr/welding slag residue: If casting burrs, cutting debris, or welding splashes adhere to the installation surface or push rod end face, they will hinder the adjuster from fully fitting the base, causing installation tilt or local stress concentration, directly leading to early fracture.
Accumulation of paint/glue stains: Excessive paint layer or sealant overflow on the flange surface forms a soft isolation layer, weakening the true pre tightening force of bolt fastening, causing component displacement or abnormal noise during operation.

2. Destructive damage to the friction pair function
Sand invasion: If sand and gravel are mixed between the ratchet teeth and screw threads inside the adjuster, it is equivalent to adding "grinding paste" to accelerate the shaving wear of the core friction pair, and the precision mechanism can be scrapped within a few weeks.
Oil adhesion: If butter or hydraulic oil contaminated during maintenance seeps into self-locking threads or clutch plates, it will eliminate the necessary resistance between the friction surfaces, causing the adjuster to slip and lose its ability to compensate for clearance.

3. Invisible killers with dynamic accuracy
Rust layer barrier: The rust products on the contact surface form a loose oxide layer, which continuously peels off during repeated micro movements. This not only increases the resistance to movement, but also distorts the displacement feedback value of sensor adjusters.
Carbon deposition hardening: The hard coking material formed by the carbonization of oil mist in high-temperature environments will get stuck in the micrometer level fitting slack, completely locking the precision telescopic mechanism.

4. Source lesion of sealing failure
Scratch leakage: If residual metal shavings on the installation surface are not removed, they will be pressed into the sealing ring groove during fastening, forming penetrating scratches, causing water vapor/dust to enter the core mechanism.
Pit corrosion: Point like pits formed by local corrosion on the contact surface, which cannot be filled even with a new sealing ring and become a continuous leakage channel.

5. Diagnose the culprit of interference
False resistance: Abnormal friction caused by dirt can mask the true mechanical state, leading to a false diagnosis of "mechanism jamming" during manual inspection, resulting in ineffective disassembly and repair.
Signal distortion: If the surface of the contact sensor of the electronic control regulator is stained with oil, it will cause resistance drift and trigger incorrect fault codes to mislead the diagnosis direction.

6. Bottom layer guarantee for long-term operation
Preventive isolation: A clean contact surface is a prerequisite for applying anti sticking coatings (such as molybdenum disulfide) or anti-corrosion media to ensure that the protective layer adheres evenly and does not mix with dirt and fail.
Basic stability: Direct and close contact between metals is necessary to achieve reasonable stress distribution and avoid bolt prestress relaxation or fatigue fracture caused by local contamination.