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Old 09-24-2021, 06:54 PM   #1
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Adjusting Brakes on new Dexter Axles

I installed two new Dexter axles this summer on our 1994 Excella 25. At that time I adjusted them according to the book - tightened till the wheel wouldn't turn, then backed off till it barely made noise.

This month we finally got it on the road for a short road test. Things worked well and overall we're quite happy. Afterwards, I jacked up the trailer to check the brakes again.

Surprisingly, they needed quite a bit of adjustment to get them where they should be. I expected that they'd need re-adjusting after having time to seat on the drums, but it took quite a few turns to get things were they should be.

So...

Did I just screw things up when I first adjusted them and not get things nearly tight enough? Or,

Do the brakes on the Dexter axles really go that far out of adjustment as they seat/break in? Or,

Are the star nuts turning on their own while I'm driving/braking?


I remember on my first car with manual-adjust brakes (56 Dodge) you had to push in on a spring lever to turn the star nut to loosen the brakes, and the Dexter axles don't appear to have that feature leaving me wondering what keeps the star nut from turning on its own.

Any thoughts on this?
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Old 09-24-2021, 07:16 PM   #2
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Don't worry.

The shoes have radiused to the drums.
That means they've worn down to conform with the drums.

Adjust again until you get all the drums turning with the same effort.

And yes they have a star wheel detent.
I would check periodically for the first 100mi or so, things do happen.

That's why I've been insisting here lately that new axles need to have the brakes adjusted, driven, used, and adjusted again.

Thank you for making that clear with with an actual example.

Bob
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Old 09-24-2021, 07:38 PM   #3
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Thanks Robert. I was hoping it's just a break-in issue. We're hoping to take one weekend trip with the trailer yet this fall, maybe an hour from home. That should give the brakes time to fully seat and ready for another adjustment before being parked for the winter.
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Old 09-25-2021, 05:59 AM   #4
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Richard,

Did you install manual adj or self adjusting? And good thing you're checking. How are they working for braking power?

Gary
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Old 09-25-2021, 06:03 AM   #5
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Richard,

Did you install manual adj or self adjusting? And good thing you're checking. How are they working for braking power?

Gary
Spot on Gary...👍:

Doesn't matter...they all need checking and adjustment if needed, do not depend on "never" without checking.😲

Bob
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Old 09-25-2021, 06:09 AM   #6
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Richard,

Did you install manual adj or self adjusting? And good thing you're checking. How are they working for braking power?

Gary
Manually adjusting. Didn't think I wanted to put my faith in auto adjusters. Not that difficult to adjust the brakes, and I hope that once they're fully seated to the drums I can get on a regular schedule of adjustment (and maybe even remember which way to turn the star nut to tighten.)
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Old 09-25-2021, 06:20 AM   #7
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Manually adjusting. Didn't think I wanted to put my faith in auto adjusters. Not that difficult to adjust the brakes, and I hope that once they're fully seated to the drums I can get on a regular schedule of adjustment (and maybe even remember which way to turn the star nut to tighten.)
Turning the "star", even this old wench twister still goes up when he should go down once in a while .

Bob
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Old 09-25-2021, 07:17 AM   #8
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Turning the "star", even this old wench twister still goes up when he should go down once in a while .

Bob
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uh, yup, me too
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Old 09-25-2021, 07:27 AM   #9
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uh, yup, me too
Well that seals it, if Rich is doing it we know it should be done.....adjust those brakes.


Bob
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Old 09-25-2021, 07:29 AM   #10
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Well that seals it, if Rich is doing it we know it should be done.....adjust those brakes.

Bob
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I have discs....but the family "fleet" still has manual adjusters....and the old fart seems to get all the dirty jobs.

I do not trust auto adjust at all. Seems like not a very robustly designed system for trailers.
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Old 09-25-2021, 10:47 AM   #11
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Dexter axles

Just put new brake assemblies on. While jacked up, I connected truck to trailer and adjusted brakes and made sure unit was functioning as it should. Took for test drive and checked adjustment when I came home, still with tuck attached.
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Old 09-25-2021, 11:07 AM   #12
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Just put new brake assemblies on. While jacked up, I connected truck to trailer and adjusted brakes and made sure unit was functioning as it should. Took for test drive and checked adjustment when I came home, still with tuck attached.
What is a tuck?
And how & what do you attach it to?

Bob
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Old 09-26-2021, 12:46 PM   #13
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Plugged 7-way from truck to AS. I had wife apply brakes while I rotated wheels. Then did the test drive and test brake unit with slide bar and no truck brakes.
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Old 09-26-2021, 01:41 PM   #14
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^
This is a new member with a new problem?

Yes....

Find your 7pin wiring diagram

I would first ck for power at the 7pin connection. Using a test light at the brake power terminal. Make sure you also have a good ground, also using a test light
Next ...go to the wire at the back of the drums that power the magnets.
And finally remove the drums and ck the magnets.

https://thecampingadvisor.com/electr...s-not-working/
Bob
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Old 09-26-2021, 01:46 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS View Post
^

This is a new member with a new problem?



Yes....



Find your 7pin wiring diagram



I would first ck for power at the 7pin connection. Using a test light at the brake power terminal. Make sure you also have a good ground, also using a test light

Next ...go to the wire at the back of the drums that power the magnets.

And finally remove the drums and ck the magnets.







Bob

[emoji631]
Good advice, but not sure how it relates to the question about adjusting brakes. Before hitting the road I did confirm power continuity to all four wheels, as well as good grounds. Same for checking 7-way plug/cable/receptacle.
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Old 09-26-2021, 01:50 PM   #16
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It doesn't this is the one I thought I was linking....
https://thecampingadvisor.com/electr...s-not-working/
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Old 09-26-2021, 02:01 PM   #17
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Great advice for fixing problems with brakes.

My brakes are brand new and working well. The reason for the thread was simply to ask about adjusting them after break-in.
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