Brake slack adjuster

A brake slack adjuster is provided that includes a housing having an opening with a gear arranged within the opening. The housing includes a bore adjacent to the opening. A worm gear has an axis disposed within the bore and is an engagement with the gear. The worm gear has an end portion with helical teeth. An actuator loosely is arranged within the bore and includes an inner surface with complementary helical teeth engaging the helical teeth of the worm gear. An actuator rod includes an end arranged within the actuator aperture. The rod end is captured in the actuator by a retainer. A pawl assembly is supported by the housing and coacts with the actuator for retaining the actuator in a rotational position relative to the axis. Biasing members are arranged between the actuator and housing bore to urge the actuator engagement with the worm gear end portion. The actuator includes an elongated slot with and end of the pawl assembly captured with in the elongated slot to prevent rotational movement of the actuator relative to the housing. The elongated slot permits movement of the actuator in the direction of the axis.