self adjusting trailer brakes?

trbomax · 07-23-2015, 04:30 PM

How do I know if my 5k axels on the 315wp have self adjusting brakes without pulling a drum and looking at them?

TURBS · 07-23-2015, 04:48 PM

Get the model number off the axle and look it up .

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "15 nights"

trbomax · 07-24-2015, 12:13 PM

OK,here is a shot of the axle tags. where do you look them up and which number do you look up?

Crockett · 07-24-2015, 02:19 PM

comments?

trbomax · 07-24-2015, 02:58 PM

Well thats a self adjuster that maybe adjusted itself too much,got really hot,which caused the adhesive used on the bonded lineing to fail.

Or maybe its a chineese replacement assembly and thats just what they do!

Crockett · 07-24-2015, 03:09 PM

thats the primary lining too...the secondary is GONE to metal. makes me think its just as you described...

2014 lippert

Harkerr · 07-25-2015, 05:25 PM

To my knowledge electric brakes are not self adjusting.

OldCoot · 07-25-2015, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harkerr

To my knowledge electric brakes are not self adjusting.

I think you are in error.

Mobile Outfitters 296652 Electric Brake Assy, 12", RH, S/A

TURBS · 07-25-2015, 07:39 PM

Lci and dexter both have self adjusting brakes

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "15 nights"

f5moab · 07-25-2015, 09:23 PM

Installed these a few months ago on my trailer.
10" Nev-R-Adjust Electric Brake Assembly for 3.5K Axles - RH Dexter Trailer Brakes 23-469

TexasBBQ · 07-28-2015, 12:58 PM

Look at the back of the drum plate, there should be a rubber plug that can be removed to do manual adjustment of the brake if the self adjustment is too far off so that the brake doesn't grab. Look in that hole to see if you can see the mechanism.

Davidg · 07-31-2015, 10:35 PM

Texas, I've been wrestling that very issue. My old fiver had great brakes, and from the drivers seat I could manually lock them up using a gain of 8-9....after I replaced all the shoes. On my new fiver, a gain of 10 will only provide moderate braking. I would really prefer to have a firm braking force with a gain of 7 +/-, and then adjust down slightly so the trailer brakes lead the TV brakes by a hair.
So, I figured I would "snug" the shoes up a smidgen. But There is no star wheel to be seen on any of the 4 hubs. I do have the " never-adjust" brakes, and I read conflicting information as to when they actually "self adjust".......during forward travel braking?....or reverse travel braking?
Anyone know?

f5moab · 08-01-2015, 06:51 AM

During normal forward operation, as stated by Dexter.

Davidg · 08-01-2015, 10:14 PM

I wonder what prevents them from over adjusting? I guess I better make a few voltage checks at the hub splices. If that's good, I guess I'll have to pull a hub. No biggie,....just a little work.

l001952119 · 08-01-2015, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harkerr

To my knowledge electric brakes are not self adjusting.

Karkerr: They are electric activated. Otherwise, how would you activate the brake, other than a hydraulic system? I installed them on my utilty trailer, which are electric activated.

f5moab · 08-02-2015, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davidg

I wonder what prevents them from over adjusting? I guess I better make a few voltage checks at the hub splices. If that's good, I guess I'll have to pull a hub. No biggie,....just a little work.

Similar to any auto adjusting drum brake system; only difference is these are moved by magnets others are moved by a hydraulic cylinder rods.

The self adjuster mechanism lever rides on the star wheel. The star wheel is threaded onto a rod and the rod moves out as the shoes material wears. If the brake shoes are adjusted correctly, the shoes are at maximum travel to contact the drum, and the lever cannot move to the next tooth on the star wheel. As the shoe material wears down, the brake shoes move out further to allow full contact with the drum.

When the material on shoes wear down enough the shoes have to move out further to make contact with the drum. When the shoe moves out far enough, the mechanism lever will move to the next tooth and applies pressure to the star tightening the rod.

Hope that makes sense; kind of hard to explain.

Davidg · 08-03-2015, 06:32 AM

F5moab, thanks. I am a little puzzled as to why I cannot see the star wheel through the slots on the back of the hub. I'm not a day to day car mechanic, but I've rebuilt my own brakes for years. I've adjusted rv brakes as well, but the star wheel on these is simply not visible.

ironj · 08-03-2015, 08:39 AM

The never adjust have a lil wheel (its whats behind the yellow spiring) and you CAN adjust them, but it's only recommend for initial install...

Just know that the wheel does not loosen easily and requires a disengagement of a lever. So the conventional tighten it then loosen 10 clicks won't work as easily...

f5moab · 08-03-2015, 08:50 AM

Some info from etrailer...
10" Nev-R-Adjust Electric Brake Assembly for 3.5K Axles - RH Dexter Trailer Brakes 23-469

Davidg · 08-03-2015, 10:09 AM

F5 and Ironj; Thanks for the information. The better I understand something, the easier it gets to work on it. I looked closely at the picture on etrailer, and you can clearly see the star wheel on the adjustment shaft just to the left of the yellow spring. On my trailer, the star wheel is simply not there. The shaft is smooth all the way across. I looked at one on the other side of the trailer and it's the same.
I'm thinking that if I could make that initial adjustment to where the shoes just barely rub the hub, my brakes would be better. Right now, they definitely work, but my trucks controller is at maximum gain of + 10. On other trailers I have/had, that high of a gain would lock the brakes.

I really don't want to pull the hub off, but I will if that's what it takes to understand this system.

Thanks again

You may also like: