Manually adjust from behind through a oval hole that you may need to take a rubber plug out of.
A flat tip screw driver or a drum brake spoon will move the wheel to adjust as you rotate the tire.
Atcbrownie, I didn't see where anyone confirmed your suspicion on the loose brake wire, but yes, that is what most likely wore your brake out and not necessarily an adjustment issue. It received more power at each braking and caused the eventual fail.
I highly doubt this is the problem. All brake magnets are fed in parallel. If one was not connected, the other 3 would still pull their same currents at whatever voltage the brake controller was sending. Even if it was possible, then the other 3 would all look like this one. Unless the wire somehow ENERGIZED the single brake all the time (doubtful if it was "loose"), I don't see this as the problem.
Don't forget to check e-trailer.com and ebay as well.
You can often get an entire back plate with all hardware-including shoes and magnets for less than just shoes
and magnets sold separately.
__________________ Peace! Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
OK, I just noticed the video above. I watched it, but I don't understand what the guy is trying to explain. How do I adjust with the wheel and hub in place?
If I just leave them alone are they going to eventually adjust themselves to the correct position, no matter how far off they are right now?
Bruce
You must adjust them "Manually" you will not have "much/any" stopping power until the shoe's are "Burnished/Seated" to the drum ark! This is ALL explained in "Full Detail" in Dexters Brake Manual! Youroo!!
On our recent KY to FL trip I noticed reduced braking as we were nearing
Ft Myers. Once in the camp ground I tossed a patio mat under the trailer and
rolled under there to have a look.
I found the brake wires for one axle hanging loose.
It appeared the wires were short from the factory and somewhere along
the interstate I'd hit a dip or something and the axle went down and
pulled off the connectors from the short pigtails.
Luckily I had extra wire and wire nuts that I used to extend and re-connect
the dead axle. Had to adjust the controller back down once we rolled out
of there.
I had noticed short wires during my new trailer inspection but forgot to
follow up. Luckily we didn't loose both axle brakes and didn't have any panic
stops along the way!
__________________ Peace! Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
Don't forget to check e-trailer.com and ebay as well.
You can often get an entire back plate with all hardware for less than just shoes
and magnets sold separately.
You can get complete assemblies with magnet as well.
It has the larger beam size (52,000 pd and up axle) of 3 inches around.
But uses smaller hub and brakes of the 35,000 pound axles (tube size less than three inches)
The brakes are 10inchs for the 44,000 pound axle and down.
the 52,000 pound and up brakes are 12 inches.
So... the spindle, hub and brakes goes to the 35,000.
The beam, goes to the 52,000.
It has the larger beam size (52,000 pd and up axle) of 3 inches around.
But uses smaller hub and brakes of the 35,000 pound axles (tube size less than three inches)
The brakes are 10inchs for the 44,000 pound axle and down.
the 52,000 pound and up brakes are 12 inches.
So... the spindle, hub and brakes goes to the 35,000.
The beam, goes to the 52,000.
Hey now,are your Sure on these Weights you are Posting? You are talking some BIG #'s! Youroo!!
I am very sorry to all! I posted some erroneous info about nev-r-adjust brake adjustment procedures. I have since learned that the drums have to be rotating forwards in order for the adjusting mechanism to work. Please forgive my stupidity!
__________________
2018 Salem 28RLDS Showstopper Package
2015 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab LT Sport
Husky Centerline WDH
It has the larger beam size (52,000 pd and up axle) of 3 inches around.
But uses smaller hub and brakes of the 35,000 pound axles (tube size less than three inches)
The brakes are 10inchs for the 44,000 pound axle and down.
the 52,000 pound and up brakes are 12 inches.
So... the spindle, hub and brakes goes to the 35,000.
The beam, goes to the 52,000.
[[[[Hey now,are your Sure on these Weights you are Posting? You are talking some BIG #'s! Youroo!! ]]]]]]
Location: in the South, North West Middle Tennessee
Posts: 1,551
Quote:
Originally Posted by TURBS
Manually adjust from behind through a oval hole that you may need to take a rubber plug out of.
A flat tip screw driver or a drum brake spoon will move the wheel to adjust as you rotate the tire.
After engaging the brake spoon in the star wheel (put a flashlight in one of the oval holes and adjust thru the other) A downward motion will tighten and moving the screwdriver upward will loosen, tighten down-loosen up.
How many miles do you feel a set of trailer brakes should go? I have about 10,000 miles on mine. I checked them today and they have about 3/16 pad left. I'm planning to do 10,000 plus this summer so I guess I had better have them changed.