Do self Adjusting Brakes Require In Initial Adjustment?

Published 10/11/2023

Question:

Thank you for your prompt answer to my question about the initial adjustment to my new brake assembly. I just want to make sure were talking apples to apples. Im familiar with the adjustment wheel that you refer to, and demonstrated in the video that you linked to. I use a brake spoon to adjust that wheel on my current brakes. However, the brake assembly that I purchased are swlf adjusting. Are you saying that same adjustment wheel is on the self adjusting assembly as well?

asked by: Dennis M

Expert Reply:

Thank you for clarifying. Sorry if I missed that part on your initial question. With Self adjusting brakes it will work a bit differently. You will not need to mess with an adjustment screw. You will install the brakes and hubs like normal. Self adjusting brakes will adjust themselves upon initial install. At first they will feel pretty weak but with every brake application (while moving) they will get tighter and tighter until they are properly tensioned.

What I would do is find a parking lot or even your subdivision street and while traveling at a slow speed grab the manual override lever of your brake controller several times until you feel the brakes get to where they need to be.

expert reply by: Jesse M