Question on brake adjustment
In the past I have always adjusted the fiver brakes by getting the wheel off the ground and adjusting that star in the back until the wheel will rotate 1 full turn when I spin it by hand. Is that abou...
Forum Discussion
From Dexter:
Brake Adjustment
Brakes should be adjusted (1) after the first 200 miles of operation
when the brake shoes and drums have “seated,” (2) at 3000 mile
intervals, (3) or as use and performance requires. The brakes
should be adjusted in the following manner:
1. Jack up trailer and secure on adequate capacity jack
stands. Follow trailer manufacturers recommendations for
lifting and supporting the unit. Check that the wheel and
drum rotate freely.
! CAUTION:
Do not lift or support trailer on any part of the axle or the
suspension system.
2. Remove the adjusting hole cover from the adjusting slot on
the bottom of the brake backing plate.
3. With a screwdriver or standard adjusting tool, rotate the
starwheel of the adjuster assembly to expand the brake
shoes. Adjust the brake shoes out until the pressure of the
linings against the drum makes the wheel very difficult to
turn.
Braking Systems - Electric
-13 - .6-8K SM
Note: With drop spindle axles, a modified adjusting tool with
about an 80 degree angle should be used.
4. Then rotate the starwheel in the opposite direction until the
wheel turns freely with a slight lining drag.
5. Replace the adjusting hole cover and lower the wheel to the
ground.
6. Repeat the above procedure on all brakes.
Brake Adjustment
Brakes should be adjusted (1) after the first 200 miles of operation
when the brake shoes and drums have “seated,” (2) at 3000 mile
intervals, (3) or as use and performance requires. The brakes
should be adjusted in the following manner:
1. Jack up trailer and secure on adequate capacity jack
stands. Follow trailer manufacturers recommendations for
lifting and supporting the unit. Check that the wheel and
drum rotate freely.
! CAUTION:
Do not lift or support trailer on any part of the axle or the
suspension system.
2. Remove the adjusting hole cover from the adjusting slot on
the bottom of the brake backing plate.
3. With a screwdriver or standard adjusting tool, rotate the
starwheel of the adjuster assembly to expand the brake
shoes. Adjust the brake shoes out until the pressure of the
linings against the drum makes the wheel very difficult to
turn.
Braking Systems - Electric
-13 - .6-8K SM
Note: With drop spindle axles, a modified adjusting tool with
about an 80 degree angle should be used.
4. Then rotate the starwheel in the opposite direction until the
wheel turns freely with a slight lining drag.
5. Replace the adjusting hole cover and lower the wheel to the
ground.
6. Repeat the above procedure on all brakes.
