Forum Discussion
BenK
May 16, 2015Explorer
Standard for shoe/drum setups are to have the self adjusters do so going in REVERSE
Star wheel is a common reference and is both the self adjustment and manual
component that is turned to adjust the shoes CLOSER to the drum surface
Standard direction to TIGHTEN or move the shoe closer to the drum surface is
to move the adjustment SPOON/ScrewDriver DOWN
The clicking sound is the self adjuster pawl, which is also an anti-back for
the star wheel.
Most 'self adjustment' assemblies for shoe/drum setups do NOT work well after
they develop some brake dust/road grim/etc on them
I carry an adjustment spoon and screw drivers on each trip and manually adjust
trailer brakes often during any long trip
After getting any trailer brakes up to operating temp range...they should skid
the trailer brakes or come very close to skidding
Common issues with trailer brakes not able to skid or come close to skidding are:
Have found that all of the trailer brake wiring I've touched are way
under or 'just' good enough
Meaning the wire gauge should be increased...the connectors are poor
quality and need replacement...the wire harness routing is poor...the
magnet wiring is in poor shape...etc
A lot of the type of trailer connectors are just good enough and will
corrode over time to become poor connectors to intermittent
Star wheel is a common reference and is both the self adjustment and manual
component that is turned to adjust the shoes CLOSER to the drum surface
Standard direction to TIGHTEN or move the shoe closer to the drum surface is
to move the adjustment SPOON/ScrewDriver DOWN
The clicking sound is the self adjuster pawl, which is also an anti-back for
the star wheel.
Most 'self adjustment' assemblies for shoe/drum setups do NOT work well after
they develop some brake dust/road grim/etc on them
I carry an adjustment spoon and screw drivers on each trip and manually adjust
trailer brakes often during any long trip
After getting any trailer brakes up to operating temp range...they should skid
the trailer brakes or come very close to skidding
Common issues with trailer brakes not able to skid or come close to skidding are:
- Not up to the min working temp range
- Not adjusted tight enough
- Glazed friction material
- Not enough voltage
- Not enough Amperage
- Worn Magnet and about to go bad
Have found that all of the trailer brake wiring I've touched are way
under or 'just' good enough
Meaning the wire gauge should be increased...the connectors are poor
quality and need replacement...the wire harness routing is poor...the
magnet wiring is in poor shape...etc
A lot of the type of trailer connectors are just good enough and will
corrode over time to become poor connectors to intermittent
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