Brakes

I just installed new Dexter self adjusting brakes on all four wheels. They do adjust both in forward and backward braking.

To make the initial adjustment after installing them, I pulled the emergency brake cable, and then by hand rocked the wheels back and forth. Each time they were rocked to the end of their travel there was a click as the adjuster moved the star wheel. After awhile there was no more clicks, and the brakes were properly adjusted.

Followed Dexter's instructions on breaking them in. Took about about 50 miles of driving to get the shoes well seated; after that, the brakes worked perfect.

Regards,
Doug

ain't it a shame that trailers are way back in the 20th century when it comes to brakes?M My god, self adjusters came out on cars around 1955. The day of disc brakes are upon us. Got em, love um.

sunnybrooktoyhauler wrote:
My old brakes were manual adjust. New ones have self adjusters. Just wonder if they work. I also have dexter axles and the new backing plates have dexter stamped into them.

YES they work.

Self adjusting drum bakes have been around for decades.
Used on all them cars with drum brakes.
Trailers have just finally caught up with decade old technology :S


You DID manually adjust the new brakes when you installed them....correct?

My old brakes were manual adjust. New ones have self adjusters. Just wonder if they work. I also have dexter axles and the new backing plates have dexter stamped into them.

I have Dexter brakes and they are not self adjusting. I recently manually greased the bearings and manually adjusted my brakes. I hated but necessary maintenance procedure. A helper and I spent 1/2 of the day doing the job. However it seems all my jobs seem to take a half a day in my old age.

Don't know about adjusting when in backing up......could.

Dexter markets them as 'Forward self-adjusting brakes'

After installing them did you manually adjust the brakes?

The brakes need to be manually adjusted initially in order for them to function.
The self-adjuster cables just actuated the star-wheel adjuster via a lever during braking.

Assuming your brakes are properly installed and correct for your trailer, Dexter self adjusting brakes really work. Dexter says they adjust forwards and backwards, but adjust quicker when backing. My trailer has self adjusting brakes, and they stay in adjustment.

A manual adjustment one time after installing self adjusting brakes is needed; or else you may have no brakes when first driving your trailer after installing the self adjusting brakes.