Trailer Brake Inspection Question
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From: Phoenix
Trailer Brake Inspection Question
This one's probably for you Greywolf. You mention brake orientation when flippin axles. I bought my 32' TH with the axles already flipped. I am checking the bearings and brakes and wondered if the brakes were in the correct allignment. The magnet is on the bottom of the assembly. Is this correct?
Bigger question:
As I looked at the brakes I did not see an automatic adjuster on the brake. Normally, on drum brakes, there is a mechanism that adjusts the pads closer to the drum when you back up. Do I need to use a spoon to adjust all of the brakes to the same drag (dating myself here...) manually like in the old days? I would think this would be a big issue if you are talking about the same voltage going to each brake.
Thanks in advance for your help. I read all of your posts and greatly appreciate your insight and advice.
Regards,
FM aka, RagdollRacer
Bigger question:
As I looked at the brakes I did not see an automatic adjuster on the brake. Normally, on drum brakes, there is a mechanism that adjusts the pads closer to the drum when you back up. Do I need to use a spoon to adjust all of the brakes to the same drag (dating myself here...) manually like in the old days? I would think this would be a big issue if you are talking about the same voltage going to each brake.
Thanks in advance for your help. I read all of your posts and greatly appreciate your insight and advice.
Regards,
FM aka, RagdollRacer
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Nothern Indiana
Yes the magnet will be on the bottom and they have to be manually adjusted .
Mel you need to pull apart that wheel that is not working to see whats wrong.
Just make sure the wires have good connection first and if that looks ok you will need to pull the drum off and see if everything is ok.
Sometimes if you have the bearings you can greese with a gun by taking off the cap they can get full of greese if the seal leaks.
Mel you need to pull apart that wheel that is not working to see whats wrong.
Just make sure the wires have good connection first and if that looks ok you will need to pull the drum off and see if everything is ok.
Sometimes if you have the bearings you can greese with a gun by taking off the cap they can get full of greese if the seal leaks.
Senior User
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From: Western Iowa
Fireoutmatt, I have checked and I am getting good voltage at the magnet. I just dont know witch way to move the star wheel. I guess I will lift the axel and try both ways until I start feeling drag. (2005 rockwood 5er)
CO River Rat
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
One side's gonna be up (R/H on my trailer) and the other side down, if the adjusters are installed correctly.
Steve
Steve
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From: Western Iowa
OK, so the adjuster slot is on the bottom. the drivers side goes down and the pass. side goes up?????
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From: Home Base Nebraska
If the star wheels are installed right both sides will go up, its easy to tell if the wheel starts to drag you are going the right direction.
The only electric brakes that I know of that have self adjusters are Dexter 12 1/4 X 3 3/8.
Denny
The only electric brakes that I know of that have self adjusters are Dexter 12 1/4 X 3 3/8.
Denny
CO River Rat
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Hmmm.......I've done many cars & trailers, and none of them used the same spoon direction on both sides to tighten the shoes. This picture: http://www.championtrailers.com/DRUM%20BRAKE%20KITS.htm shows why.
Steve
Steve
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From: Home Base Nebraska
Originally Posted by Steina
Hmmm.......I've done many cars & trailers, and none of them used the same spoon direction on both sides to tighten the shoes. This picture: http://www.championtrailers.com/DRUM%20BRAKE%20KITS.htm shows why.
Steve
Steve
. If you haven't had the Dexter Nev-R-Lub hubs off its nice setup and the 3 3/8" brakes are huge compared to the 2" ones. Anyway I will pay close attention what way the other side adjusts but with self adjusters I think they go the same way on both sides, I've been wrong before 
.Denny
CO River Rat
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Denny -
Let me know what you find out. I remember fighting self-adjusting systems with a screwdriver to push the adjusting lever off the star wheel AND a spoon to turn it; lotsa fun!
Steve
Let me know what you find out. I remember fighting self-adjusting systems with a screwdriver to push the adjusting lever off the star wheel AND a spoon to turn it; lotsa fun!
Steve
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From: Home Base Nebraska
Originally Posted by Steina
Denny -
Let me know what you find out. I remember fighting self-adjusting systems with a screwdriver to push the adjusting lever off the star wheel AND a spoon to turn it; lotsa fun!
Steve
Let me know what you find out. I remember fighting self-adjusting systems with a screwdriver to push the adjusting lever off the star wheel AND a spoon to turn it; lotsa fun!
Steve
Denny
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From: Home Base Nebraska
I finished the other side today and the adjustment wheel goes up just like the other side. I'm not sure but all you have to do is reverse the adjustment wheel to make it go the other way.
Denny
Denny