The Bendix® ASA-5® is an automatic slack adjuster (ASA) designed for cam-actuated drum brakes. Its core function is to automatically adjust the clearance between the brake lining and the drum to compensate for wear, maintaining a consistent brake actuator stroke. Unlike "stroke-sensing" designs, the ASA-5 adjusts based on the actual gap between the lining and drum. It completes adjustment early in the brake application and stops as resistance builds, which prevents over-adjustment caused by component distortion or heat. The unit is "unhanded," meaning it can be used for both right- and left-handed applications by simply rotating the yoke 180 degrees, reducing the number of spare parts to stock.