Patent ID: 8820490

Claim:
A slack adjuster comprising: a worm shaft configured to drive a worm gear adapted to be coupled to a camshaft; an adjustment assembly receiving slack adjustment input from a push rod, said adjustment assembly configured to automatically rotate said worm shaft when brake slack exceeds a predetermined limit; and a manual adjuster moveable between a non-adjustment position where said manual adjuster is de-coupled from said worm shaft and a manual adjustment position where said manual adjuster is coupled to said worm shaft such that a position of said worm shaft can be manually adjusted, wherein said manual adjuster is moveable towards the worm shaft along an axial path defined by a longitudinal axis of the worm shaft from said non-adjustment position to said manual adjustment position; wherein said worm shaft and adjustment assembly are mounted within a blind-bore formed within a housing, and wherein said manual adjuster comprises an end cover that is positioned within said blind-bore to cover an open end of said blind-bore; and wherein said end cover comprises a hub portion facing said worm shaft and an extension portion that extends outwardly of the housing that encloses said worm shaft, and wherein said hub portion defines an internal bore having a splined surface configured to be coupled to a splined end of said worm shaft when said end cover is moved into said manual adjustment position.