How to Manually Adjust Nev-R-Adjust Trailer Brake Assemblies

Updated 05/19/2015 | Published 05/17/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Left Hand - 6,000 lbs

(274)

$134.44

Brake Adjustment Spoon for Drum Brakes

(225)

$9.52

Question:

I thought the adjuster wheel starwheel on the Nev-R Adjust brakes does not want to back off, but in Mike L. answer Do Nev-R Adjust Brake Brake Assemblies Require Initial Adjustment he says Adjust the brake shoes out until the pressure of the linings against the drum makes the wheel very difficult to turn. Then rotate the starwheel in the opposite direction until the wheel turns freely with a slight lining drag. I am confused...

asked by: Robert T

Helpful Expert Reply:

If you have a safe area where you can pull the trailer and apply the brakes several times until they're adjusted it's not absolutely necessary to pre-adjust them. However, pre-adjusting them is the safest alternative, which is why we recommend doing it that way.

When you adjust Nev-R-Adjust brakes, you'll need to poke a small screwdriver through the hole in the backing plate and pull the metal tab that's just behind the adjuster towards you. As you're holding the tab away from the adjuster, you can use an adjusting tool like # W80630 to adjust the brake shoes.

Expand the brake shoes until the drum can't be turned by hand. Then back the adjuster off until there's a very slight brake shoe drag.

expert reply by: Mike L