Brake component measurement tool

A tool for measuring thicknesses of disc brake components of a heavy-duty vehicle without removing a wheel associated with the disc brake components to be measured, the tool comprising:

• an elongated first member having a first tip extending transversely from the first member, the first tip having a first projection at an end portion of the first tip;
• an elongated second member is movable relative to the first member, the second member having a second tip extending transversely from the second member in the same direction as the first tip of the first member, the second tip having a second projection at an end portion of the second tip;
• first indicia on the first and second members graduated to indicate a relative distance between the first and second projections when measuring an object located between the first and second projections;
• second indicia on the first and second members graduated to indicate a relative distance between surface of the first and second tips when measuring spaced apart objects located outside of the first and second projections;
• and
• retention tabs located on one of the first or second members, the retention tabs being formed over the other of the first or second members to retain the first and second members from relative movement in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extent of the first and second members.

A method of measuring dimensions of components in a heavy-duty vehicle air disc brake assembly without requiring removal of a wheel from the associated air disc brake assembly, the measuring accomplished with a tool having relatively movable first and second members having respective first and second indicia to indicate the relative distance between portions of the first and second members, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting the portions of the first and second members into an access area of the disc brake system;
• moving the portions of the first and second members relative to one another so surfaces of the first and second portions are spaced apart;
• then moving the portions of the first and second members relative to one another so surfaces of the portions engage surfaces of the air disc brake assembly to be measured;
• and
• then reading the dimension of the measured component of the air disc brake assembly directly from one of the first and second indicia.