How to Properly Seat Self Adjusting Brakes

Question

Question:

I bought my backing plate from etrailer. I put it on a utility trailer my truck is a 2017 chevy silverado 1500 with intagrated trailer braking from factory. The brake hum but do not engage

asked by: Bill

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

While the Electric Trailer Brake Kit # AKEBRK-35-SA are self adjusting, they do still require an initial bedding of the brakes (breaking in/seating the brakes) to work properly. I have listed the steps to do this below.

1: Pick an open stretch of road that will allow you to stop multiple times

2: Adjust brake control power to MAX

3: Speed up to 40mph, then use the manual override on the brake control to reduce speed to 20mph

4: Repeat 12-15 times, allowing time for brakes to cool in between (could potentially take more)

If the brakes are adjusted (seated) properly then make sure they are installed on the correct sides of the trailer as this would cause them not to engage as well. If all of this has checked out, please let me know and I would be happy to help your troubleshoot further.

expert reply by: Scott S

1

John

6/4/2026

Do I need to manually adjust them originally when I put them on or will they adjust overtime? I don’t have a long stretch of road to do what you have recommended.

Heather A.

6/4/2026

@John Hi John, You shouldn't need to manually adjust them before installation. The # AKEBRK-35-SA brakes are self-adjusting, so they will gradually adjust themselves as they're used. That said, they still need to be bedded in so the brake shoes can properly seat against the drum surface. The procedure Scott outlined is the fastest way to accomplish that, but if you don't have a long stretch of road available, normal driving and braking will eventually achieve the same result. It may just take a little longer before you notice full braking performance. Since Bill mentioned that the brakes hum but don't seem to engage, I'm curious if you're experiencing the same thing or if you're asking more generally about the installation process. If you've already installed yours, can you feel the brakes trying to slow the trailer at all when you use the manual override on the brake controller?

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How to Properly Seat Self Adjusting Brakes

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