self adjusting brakes

Even with self adjusting brakes on a car you adjust them when you first install them. The shoes need to make good contact to kick in the adjusters.

YES.....eventually one day somewhere down the road after some time has passed.





Your friend did not read the instructions that came with those self-adjusting brakes. Regardless of mfg. (Dexter, LCI, etc.) Self-adjusting brakes MUST be 'initially' properly adjusted when installed (or whenever drum is removed).

Plain and simple

Aka the breeze wrote:
my neighbor just swapped out his older brakes for new self adjusting brakes.. He finished and the wheels ( when hand spun) will rotate 5-6 turns before stopping. He is telling me they are ok as they will self adjust ???
My old school mentality is kicking in???

They are probably too tight. If that's the only problem, they'll probably be perfect once they burnish it.

One big problem with self adjusting trailer brakes is the really poor drum tolerances. Some new drums have enough run-out to click the adjuster, which will make them drag. They really need to be at least checked when installing self-adjusting brakes, and often need to be turned.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
YES.....eventually one day somewhere down the road after some time has passed.





Your friend did not read the instructions that came with those self-adjusting brakes. Regardless of mfg. (Dexter, LCI, etc.) Self-adjusting brakes MUST be 'initially' properly adjusted when installed (or whenever drum is removed).

Plain and simple

Yep, Old-Biscuit is right again, they should be adjusted the first time, at installation.

One turn or so, with a light spin is about right.

Jerry

carringb wrote:

Aka the breeze wrote:
my neighbor just swapped out his older brakes for new self adjusting brakes.. He finished and the wheels ( when hand spun) will rotate 5-6 turns before stopping. He is telling me they are ok as they will self adjust ???
My old school mentality is kicking in???

They are probably too tight. If that's the only problem, they'll probably be perfect once they burnish it.

One big problem with self adjusting trailer brakes is the really poor drum tolerances. Some new drums have enough run-out to click the adjuster, which will make them drag. They really need to be at least checked when installing self-adjusting brakes, and often need to be turned.

Rotating 5-6 turns before stopping is 4-5 turns to many

They are NOT too tight..they are too loose.

Need to adjust them for 3/4-1 turn and then burnish them in

Old-Biscuit wrote:

carringb wrote:

Aka the breeze wrote:
my neighbor just swapped out his older brakes for new self adjusting brakes.. He finished and the wheels ( when hand spun) will rotate 5-6 turns before stopping. He is telling me they are ok as they will self adjust ???
My old school mentality is kicking in???

They are probably too tight. If that's the only problem, they'll probably be perfect once they burnish it.

One big problem with self adjusting trailer brakes is the really poor drum tolerances. Some new drums have enough run-out to click the adjuster, which will make them drag. They really need to be at least checked when installing self-adjusting brakes, and often need to be turned.

Rotating 5-6 turns before stopping is 4-5 turns to many

They are NOT too tight..they are too loose.

Need to adjust them for 3/4-1 turn and then burnish them in

That's the correct answer.....

They are way too loose.

Ron W

Old-Biscuit wrote:


Rotating 5-6 turns before stopping is 4-5 turns to many

They are NOT too tight..they are too loose.

Need to adjust them for 3/4-1 turn and then burnish them in

I was assuming 5-6 turns without the brakes engaged. If thats with the brakes engaged, they are way too loose, possibly so loose the adjusters can't start clicking over, since there needs to be enough drag to tug on the adjuster cable.

carringb wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:


Rotating 5-6 turns before stopping is 4-5 turns to many

They are NOT too tight..they are too loose.

Need to adjust them for 3/4-1 turn and then burnish them in

I was assuming 5-6 turns without the brakes engaged. If thats with the brakes engaged, they are way too loose, possibly so loose the adjusters can't start clicking over, since there needs to be enough drag to tug on the adjuster cable.

That is correct 5-6 turns as you roll down the road.. with a slight sound of pad to drum sound... ... once the brakes are engaged , they stop .. right away. . I was over there last night...

carringb wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:


Rotating 5-6 turns before stopping is 4-5 turns to many

They are NOT too tight..they are too loose.

Need to adjust them for 3/4-1 turn and then burnish them in

I was assuming 5-6 turns without the brakes engaged. If thats with the brakes engaged, they are way too loose, possibly so loose the adjusters can't start clicking over, since there needs to be enough drag to tug on the adjuster cable.

OP stated:

"He finished and the wheels ( when hand spun) will rotate 5-6 turns before stopping"

Notice 'when hand spun'

When properly adjusted the wheel should stop with in 3/4-1 turn when hand spun and brakes NOT applied.
Brake shoes SHOULD slightly drag.