How Do Self-Adjusting Brakes Adjust and Does it Work Going Forward or Reverse

Question

Question:

I remember back in the day when cars had self adjusting drum brakes, the driver had to back the vehicle up for the self adjusters to work. Their was no instructions with these brakes, is that the way these brakes self adjust?

asked by: John H

0

Expert Reply:

Self-adjusting brakes # AKEBRK-7-SA do not require that you travel in reverse for them to adjust. They can adjust themselves going forward or backward.

Keep in mind that even self-adjusting brakes require 1 initial adjustment. You could just install them and they would eventually adjust out but until that happens you would have weak brakes. Basically if the brake shoes have to move too far before they touch the drums a pulley spins the adjustment wheel which then takes and adjusts the shoes out a bit further. This would happen in forward or reverse.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Stan2va

2/4/2020

I just installed your AKEBRK-35-SA kits on my travel trailer. In order to get the drum on I backed off the start wheel adjuster the entire way. I just took the trailer for a spin for the shoes to adjust and they have not even after stopping for a dozen times. I hear the magnets energized. Do I just keep breaking because they have a long way to adjust?Thanks

Jacob H.

2/5/2020

You want to adjust the brakes so that when the trailer tires are off the ground and you spin the wheel, they have a very slight drag to them. You will be able to hear the brake rubbing on the drum. What this does is makes sure the brake pad is as close to drum as possible so that braking response is fast. We have a adjustment spoon # W80630 available that you can use to adjust them properly.

Answer 1

I have included a link to a video on adjusting self-adjusting brakes. Basically there is a device on the adjustment wheel on these brakes that prevents the shoes from adjusting back inward. You have to sort of move that out of the way to be able to…

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Answer 2

On Dexter 12" Nev-R-Adjust Electric Brake Assembly #23-458 the shoe pad thickness is 3/16 of an inch. Dexter says that you should replace the shoes if the material gets down to 1/16 of an inch thick or less.

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Answer 3

To determine which brake assembly you need, measure the width of your brake linings, as shown in the photo I edited for you. If your existing brake shoes measure 4 inches wide, the #23-438 you mentioned would be an example of a good replacement for…

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Answer 4

The etrailer.com Electric Trailer Brake Kit #AKEBRK-7-SA and the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Brake Kit # 23-464-465 referenced in your question are both self-adjusting assemblies that will work to replace the existing Dexter brakes on your 7,000…

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Answer 5

After installing replacement brakes such as the Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brake Kit, #23-468-469, proper adjustment is needed for that initial setting. If your brakes are engaging but not enough to apply ample friction for stopping then…

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Answer 6

This could be a magnet wiring problem. It is unlikely that the magnets are bad on newer assemblies, but if the wiring is not properly connected, it could cause problems. Check to see that the magnets are properly grounded to a clean, bare metal…

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Answer 7

The Electric Trailer Brake Kit #AKEBRK-2 that you referenced should be the correct size to replace your hydraulic brakes for your 10" wheels. You can quickly verify this by measuring the diameter of your current brakes. You should be able to use…

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Answer 8

EZ Lube axles like the item #T3584F-EZ-8974 come from the factory with just a little bit of grease in the bearings. The first time you use the EZ Lube feature to fill the axle, it will take a lot of grease. You will probably use 3/4 to a full tube…

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Answer 9

Hi Ken; I don't have a reading from that exact distance but I can tell you the noise level of the Dometic Penguin II Low Profile RV Air Conditioner #DMC86ZR is around 62dB. If noise is your main concern, the Dometic FreshJet 3 RV Air Conditioner…

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Answer 10

A multi-zone system is going to allow you to control the temperature in multiple zones with one wall thermostat. For example the living room could be set for 70 degrees and the front bed room could be set for 60. You could achieve this with the…

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Answer 11

Hello Jim, Thank you for all the information, it is most helpful. We have something that will work as a direct replacement, but the Advent Air Low Profile RV Air Conditioner - 13,500 Btu - White #ADV79FR will require a new set-up as it is not…

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Answer 12

To service your Dexter electric trailer brakes #23-458-459 you can use Nev-R-Adjust 12 x 2 brake shoe/lining kit #K71-676 (right hand) and #K71-675 (left hand). I confirmed their fit with the tech team at Dexter. You will probably find that the…

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