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enahs's avatar
enahs
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014

Replacing Brake Magnet Problem

I am replacing a brake magnet on my 5er. Dexter 12" stuff. I've done this sort of thing before and find it straight forward except for one thing: Where the magnet wire runs through the backing plate, it runs through a little plastic strain relief plug that pops into the backing plate. Buuuuut, it doesn't just "pop" back in with the new wire in it. It's a real struggle — even with a bit of silicone grease on it. Anyone have any tricks to get this little fellow back in? I am thinking of fabricating a tool that the wire can slip through and then seat down on the plug so that I can "hammer" on it. Yes, I know that the plug with the new wire must be compressed — but it's still uncooperative.
  • OK, after talking to Dexter (always a good experience with willing to help folks), and making an adjustment of my own, problem solved. Dexter assured me that there is no trick to it; you just have to have the wires FULLY compressed in the little strain relief plug between its two sections. I thought I had it fully compressed. However, working from the back side of the backing plate and with not much available slack in the wires, it turns out that what appears to be a full compression may not be. So I pulled the wires back to the brake side where a much better view is possible. then measured where I wanted the relief to be seated and crimped the wires into the strain relief by pressing the two halves of the strain relief plug firmly together with pliers — making a very pronounced "s" set into the wires Then I disassembled it, put wires back through the backing plate land reattached the strain relief at the pre-crimped point with a reasonable squeeze from my pliers. Now the crimp is a deeper set and the unit could be pushed into the backing plate by hand. In any case, the only trick is getting the new wires from the magnet fully compressed (seated) into the two portions of the strain relief plug — harder to do lying on your back working entirely from the back side. Charlie was right — not enough crimp. But no mod is necessary; the thing does actually fit back in.
  • Every electric brake I've ever owned had one of these sticking out of the backing plate. In ice and snow I used the large model, marine duplex 12 gauge wire encased in rigid tubing and strapped with stainless steel cable ties.
  • Cut off a little where the slit is. I suspect the slit is hitting each side and not allowing the outside to compress enough. Dab a little silicone sealant or what ever you have handy if it is too loose.
  • That's a very neat item. I am going to look into that for future jobs. When it comes to connectors, check Posi-Lock. They are easy to use and work especially well.
  • There are many youtube vids.. perhaps something there to help you.

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