How To Back Off Self-Adjusting Brakes That Are Over-Adjusted

Updated 03/27/2025 | Published 08/25/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left Hand - 3,500 lbs

(372)

$69.89

Brake Adjustment Spoon for Drum Brakes

(228)

$9.60

Question:

how do i back off self adjusting brakes

asked by: Richard C

Expert Reply:

The process is essentially the same as manual adjust brakes but is just a bit more challenging because self-adjusting brakes, like the Electric Trailer Brake Assembly # AKEBRK-35L-SA, don't give you any room to work. You would need to lift the metal tab that locks the adjuster sprocket in place with a small screwdriver and turn the adjuster sprocket up if you are looking at from the back of the assembly or downwards if you're looking at it from the front with the hub removed with a brake spoon # W80630.

It's going to be a fight and take way longer if you go from the back of the assembly so I highly recommend removing the hubs and adjusting it from the front to save yourself the time and frustration.

expert reply by: Kevin C