Survey of the Causes of Brake Failure in Commercial Mini-buses in Kumasi

This paper studies the causes of brake failure in commercial mini-buses in Kumasi, Ghana. A structured questionnaire was administered at (20) bus terminals, (65) automotive workshops and (25) government institutions. The researcher met the personnel in charge of these institutions and explained the objectives of the research. The questionnaire was left with the authorities overseeing these institutions and the response was collected at a later date. In all a total of (485) people were surveyed. The results and responses suggested that the main causes of brake failure in mini-buses are: Overheating of the brake assembly due to prolong application of the brakes, low brake fluid level as a result of defective rubber seals in the master cylinder and air trapped in the braking system resulting in spongy brakes and reducing braking efficiency. The survey results showed that brake failure in commercial mini-buses is caused mainly by Overheating of the brake assembly due to prolong application of the brakes. The survey responses suggest that the braking system should be inspected and serviced periodically in order to minimize the rate of brake failure in mini-buses.