Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 8:00 am - 9:50 am
This course covers the operation of the complete air and brake system including troubleshooting and repair of air systems, foundation brakes, valving, compressors, antilock, traction control and stability management systems used on trucks and trailers. The course is a mixture of textbook, videos, lecture, hands-on exercises and on-site instruction at a local diesel repair facility.
Course Outcomes
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate proper shop safety practices while using brake tools and equipment.
2. Use and identify tools and equipment used to repair brake systems.
3. Identify and explore operation, construction, and nomenclature of braking system components including hydraulic, air, and mechanical control devices. 4. Use safety procedures while servicing caged spring brake systems.
5. Diagnose and repair ABS and traction control systems on tractors and trailers.
6. Diagnose, service, and repair air brake systems.
7. Test and service air supply and storage circuits.
8. Perform air brake leak down test.
9. Inspect, test, and repair air brake lines and hoses.
10. Replace drive axle bearings, hubs, axle shafts, seals, and wheel studs
Topical Outline
Safe shop and equipment practices
Brake Components
Air pressure principles
Compressors
Storage tanks
Air lines and fittings
Tractor protection valves
Drum brakes
Disc brakes
Parking brakes
Anti-lock brakes
Faculty Contact Information
Thursdays 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Brad Rechkemmer 815-802-8892 brechkemmer@kcc.edu MT04
Academic Division: Business, Technology & Human Services
Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu
Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650
Course Information
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate proper shop safety practices while using brake tools and equipment.
- Use and identify tools and equipment used to repair brake systems.
- Identify and explore operation, construction, and nomenclature of braking system components including hydraulic, air, and mechanical control devices.
- Use safety procedures while servicing caged spring brake systems.
- Diagnose and repair ABS and traction control systems on tractors and trailers.
- Diagnose, service, and repair air brake systems.
- Test and service air supply and storage circuits.
- Perform air brake leak down test.
- Inspect, test, and repair air brake lines and hoses.
- Replace drive axle bearings, hubs, axle shafts, seals, and wheel studs.
- Brake Components
- Air pressure principles
- Compressors
- Storage tanks
- Air lines and fittings
- Tractor protection valves
- Drum brakes
- Disc brakes
- Parking brakes
- Anti-lock brakes
Additional Textbook/s and Course Materials
Textbook(s) CDX Medium/Heavy Duty Commercial Vehicle Systems Second Edition ONLINE + Medium/Heavy Duty Diesel Engines ONLINE
As part of your course materials you will be required to Log onto KCC portal It is your responsibility to have YOUR passwords and log in information available at all times during class.
You will be given a log in for your textbooks, as well as other websites used for training in this class. Again, it's YOUR responsibility to have access to YOUR Log in USERNAME and PASSWORDS Peterbilt Training Academy will be used as part of your training,
You will be granted access to the PTA and will need to save your log in info NC3 Tool Identification and Safety will be included in this course and you will be responsible for your log in to NC3
"Safety Glasses are required when working in lab / shop area" it is mandatory that safety glasses be worn at all times in the shop lab. Prescription glasses are allowed to be worn along with a face shield while grinding cutting or cleaning any item or materials! Safety Glasses, (Side shields are allowed if prescription lenses are needed). Safety Glasses must be clear NO DARK GLASSES!
"Safety Toe shoe / boot are required "
"Required tool set via Snap On / Blue Point / MATCO "
Tool Cart with included hand tools $2400.00
Qty 1 Tool Cart
Combo Wrenches
Standard & Metric
1/4" 3/8" 1/2" drive chrome socket sets
Plyer Set
Screwdriver Set
Pry Bar Set
Hammer
Methods of Evaluation
Evaluation A = 94– 100%
B = 85 – 93%
C = 77-84%
D=70-76%
F = 69 % and Below
Business, Technology & Human Services
Dean, Paul Carlson; 815-802-8858; V105; pcarlson@kcc.edu; Division Office – W102; 815-802-8650
Course Policies
Attendance: Regular attendance at all scheduled class sessions is expected. If a student has missed more class hours than the number of credit hours to be earned in the class, the instructor may record the grade of “F” for the course.
Failure of the student to attend class does not constitute withdrawal. The student must make a formal written withdrawal through the Office of Admissions and Records.
Attendance is taken at the beginning and end of class.
Attendance for the entire class period is mandatory. If you know you will not be in class, the student must inform the instructor prior to that class. Informing the instructor does not excuse the absence it only gives you the right to make it up. Makeup work must be done at the mutually scheduled time agreed upon between the student and instructor.
TARDINESS: Points will be heavily deducted from the student’s grades if the student arrives in class any time after the scheduled class time; Down to and including “0” points for that day. Late Is Late
IT IS MANDATORY THAT ALL STUDENTS WEAR JEANS AND WORK BOOTS TO EVERY CLASS AND HAVE ALL REQUIRED EQUIPMENT WITH THEM.
Withdrawals
When necessary to withdraw from a course or from the college, a student may do so on or before the withdrawal date stated on the syllabus without receiving a punitive final grade. Change of Schedule forms (used to add or drop a course)
are available in Student Services and the student must obtain the required signatures prior to submitting the Change of Schedule form to an adviser in Student Services. Students may submit Change of Schedule forms through the mail, but
they must be postmarked no later than the withdrawal date.
No withdrawals are allowed by phone.
16.0 Code of Conduct
Students need to adhere to the Code of Conduct located in the college catalog.
16.1 (i) Illicit drugs and controlled substances.
In accordance with local, state, and federal laws, violation includes the use, unlawful manufacture, sale, possession, or distribution of illicit drugs and controlled substances.
Anyone suspected, in the judgment of KCC faculty/administrators/security, to be under the influence of drugs, alcohol or other behavior-altering substances may be tested without notice according to board approved procedures. Violation also includes failure to comply with college procedure for testing.
Tuesday Wednesday Thursdays
Starting Feb 10th, 2026
Final Exam March 5th, 2026
College Policies, Resources and Supports
For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide.
KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:
- Clubs and organizations
- Counseling and referral services
- Office of disability services
- Student complaint policy
- Transfer services
- Tutoring services, etc.
The materials on this course are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for purposes associated with this course. Further information regarding KCC's copyright policy is available at https://kcc.libguides.com/copyright.
|Course syllabus/calendar is subject to change.