Brake Adjuster Plugs for Dexter Brake Plates

[Ray Eklund]

For want of a Nail... thread was about these small plastic plugs about one inch in length.

They are often NOT included with the purchase of a complete Brake Assembly.

My 2014 25 Foot International DID NOT have any of the EIGHT adjuster plugs. This let dust and water into the brake drum area of the wheel. I suspect that the absence of these caused my Right Side Brakes to malfunction. There was plenty of dust within the drum and the Brake Magnets in both wheels were worn on the edges and the center was the high spot.

I did not notice this until I purchased two complete Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Assemblies and the brake adjuster plugs were 'added' to the kit. Also with five new nuts to attach the assembly to the Dexter Axle.

I noted that MOST supply company's do not include these with purchase and they cost $4.55 for four plus shipping.

All EIGHT of my Airstream brake adjuster holes were absent the plugs. I will need four to use on my Airstream brakes as they were all absent.

Check YOURS. My wheels had none installed. This can affect your brakes. If you get a 'Trailer not Connected' prompt in your tow vehicle, like I did... check them now. Your brakes may not be operational... like my Right Side Brakes.

[r carl]

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/UBP807291

[Ray Eklund]

I tried local auto parts stores earlier today, in the Las Vegas, NV area. Even NAPA had none in inventory, at 49 cents each. They could order them from their California warehouse. But were not sure if they would fit Dexter Axle Brake Plates.

I bit the bullet and am paying $9.10 for eight with $2.99 shipping for $12.09 total, through etrailer.com who sells Dexter Axles and parts. At least I am confident that these will fit my Dexter Brakes. These Brake Drum Adjusting Hole Plugs aka Brake Adjuster Plugs are Brand Specific... so I am staying safe.

I will have some spares, which means I will never have to look for these small items again.

It will be interesting if others discover their Airstream brakes are also missing this small plastic part. If they do not look, they will be wishing they had.

r carl...thanks for the input.

[J. Morgan]

The truth is, the plugs serve little if any useful purpose other than to make the purchaser/owner feel good about their vehicle being “complete”.

DOT commercial vehicle inspectors never have cared whether the plugs are in place or not.

Besides, once they are a few years old, good luck putting them back in the slot.

[Ray Eklund]

I am old school when it comes to these 'plugs'.

Much like all of my air valves on my wheels have a 'cap'.

The amount of dust wiped out of my drum and brake assembly were in excess what was expected. I will keep this in mind when I am doing brake checks in the future.

For the excessive cost of $12.09 for eight plugs, I will check them again in the future to compare what I find within the drum and brake assembly for road dust.

Thanks for your opinion. I never had a problem reinserting the plugs after doing a brake adjustment on early 60's brakes. Getting them out was a bit tougher.

I bet no one will remove their plug(s) if their wheels have them intact. Sometimes the simple cures are the best.

These could be right up there with 'box stretchers' in a shipping department, but I an on to that one.

[J. Morgan]

It’s just how it is. These plugs are but a small percentage of the brake drums exposure to the elements. Their usage is all but entirely mundane and entirely without any practical affect. #Justsayin

[Tim A.]

A month or two ago, I replaced the Henschen axle on our 2002 19' Bambi with a new Dexter axle ordered from our nearby Airstream dealer. The new axle included drums, brake assemblies, etc. There were no plugs. The label on the axle shows that it came straight from Dexter to the Airsteam dealer. From the lack of plugs I assume that Dexter doesn't consider them important.

Being paranoid about our Airstream, I have ordered plugs

Tim

[Ray Eklund]

[QUOTE=Tim A.;2144638]A month or two ago, I replaced the Henschen axle on our 2002 19' Bambi with a new Dexter axle ordered from our nearby Airstream dealer. The new axle included drums, brake assemblies, etc. There were no plugs. The label on the axle shows that it came straight from Dexter to the Airsteam dealer. From the lack of plugs I assume that Dexter doesn't consider them important.

Being paranoid about our Airstream, I have ordered plugs
*******

My Dexter Brake Plates came with a plastic bag with five replacement nuts with the lock washers attached AND two brake adjuster plugs.

But as said earlier, they are possibly not necessary.

This could be among the 'youth among us' who are only familiar with disc brakes. Much like older generations understood horseshoes were for horses and not outdoor recreation.

[Ray Eklund]

Joe Boulay- Author/Mechanic (October 23, 2012)

"The problem here is when the plug is not re installed after the adjustment is made dirt and moisture enters the brake drum it can cause large grooves to be worn into the brake shoes and drums. Also that self adjuster that we were just talking about seize up and will not move over time. As a result of this you might notice a low or spongy feeling brake pedal, poor parking brake performance, or a grinding type noise from your rear brakes. Make sure if you have your rear brakes serviced, adjusted or replaced make sure the adjuster plugs are re installed."

Just another opinion to consider. I received my additional four plugs this morning and in five minutes they were inserted into these opening. The price of $1 each and shipping seems excessive, but next time I will ask to have these 'included' if needed.

[J. Morgan]

I’m not sayin Joe is wrong, but sometimes the problem isn’t the trash getting in, but a way for the trash to get out. I say this as a person who spent most of his life in the desert,,,,, so there’s that.

[Action]

The rubber backing plate plugs can be had at any fast moving parts store. (Auto Zone, Oreilly, NAPA)

They are good to have in place over the long haul. And they do keep out debris and most of the water out. If you are not driving through standing water or off road it isn't going to make that much difference. Even if they were left out for a year or two.

And having the plug in doesn't mean debris and water won't get in as the interior of the brake system isn't sealed. There is a gap between the edge of the drum and the backing plate that water and debris can enter.

Not exactly and huge deal and replacing the rubber plug when you get the chance would be a good thing.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[Ray Eklund]

Give me my Dexter Adjuster Plugs for my 10 inch 2019 International 27FB which was brand spanking new. Where are they, I say?

Missing in Action? Using my 'creeper' today to inspect the 3 inch Dexter Lift Assembly... I noticed my biggest nightmare... missing ALL eight Dexter Adjuster Plugs. Two for each wheel.

Retail price of $4.69 for 4... but special priced at $2.40 a savings of 49% from a brake supplier.

I asked the service tech setting up my, also brand spanking new... Equalizer Hitch which was not missing any parts, to mention... Why are there no Dexter Brake Adjuster Plugs to fill the eight openings. Well... hmmm was the first response.

My comment. "If these Dexter Never Lube and Self Adjusting Brakes do not need adjusting manually, as we old people use to do just to have operating brakes... why would there be HOLES for the absent Dexter Adjuster Plugs costing $4.80 plus S&H, available to fit these holes?"

I was expecting to be told that the Never Lube Wheel Bearings also needed to be inspected annually, as well. Well, that is true also. If the brakes do not need adjusting and have the holes to do it, and the Never Lube wheel bearings do not need to be lubed... need to be inspected by whom? Me? How much is this Never Lube going to cost me to make sure they do not need to be 'Ever Lubed'?

Somehow some of us are thought to have fallen off a pumpkin wagon... but me, only once. Are you catching on, yet?

Hmmm. Well...? None of us could figure that one out, but now I have eight of them. If you need one... $1.11 plus shipping.

Much like having valve caps on your air pressure valves. I am afraid to find out what those cost, even though I can find them outside any tire shop rolling around.

If you have plugs for sale. If you make systems that have the holes for these plugs. Why are they sold as aftermarket... add ons?

Some of us do drive on unpaved roads and drag our Airstream through it all. I have not looked at my DISC brakes to see if they also have obsolete manual adjusting holes that need to be plugged... but probably not, so I won't look.

Those on this Thread that say they are not necessary... then why even have these holes and sell the plugs over the counter, like a prescription for constipation or stomach aches?

Someone figured out if you could sell a million of these in five years, a cost of 10 cents for eight plugs, and make another couple bucks for 'handling' them... I want in on this gig.

Add to Cart... the prompt says. Well I got mine compted, like a Casino Buffet. I think a few of you are in on this and I want to get my share of the booty. How can I get in on this racket?

[Tim A.]

When I replaced our Henschen axle with a Dexter axle almost two years ago, the Dexter axle came without the plugs. Amazon came to the rescue for very little money and the holes are plugged. The replacement axle is the kind requiring brake adjustment and bearing packing, so at least the holes have a purpose.

Tim

[ROBERT CROSS]

Don't forget the brake bleeder caps also.🤔

Bob
🇺🇸

[smithcreek]

I replaced my Dexter drum brakes last year. Bought the whole braking assembly with new backing plate, shoes, etc. Dexter DID send plugs for the adjuster holes, BUT the plugs did not fit. Too small for the hole. I got replacements at NAPA for a couple dollars.

[Ray Eklund]

See... I knew the best of the best Airforum members would step forward with practical advice.

Mine... Duct Tape. Fixes and covers anything and everything. I sliced a 1 inch wound to my hand reaching under my car seat while fossil collecting in the Badlands of Nebraska. It was sliced by the end of a wire that holds the seat cover to the seat frame.

The perfect razor cut slice cut to the depth, where I could see the white, whatever, covering to the muscles behind my thumb. Did not hurt. Did not panic. I did wish Nancy was there so I could make the best of it, but not on that tent camping trip.

It was a clean cut. Very little blood. Neosporin, duct tape on one side, squeezed it together, attached duct tape to the other side. Saved several hundred dollars to have stitches by a Doctor in town, or a veterinarian who castrates Bulls on the Ranch I was camped.

Still show off the very faint scar to young children and people who may get nauseous at the thought.

What does this have to with Dexter Brake Adjuster Plugs?

I did not need one to plug this one. Did I? Duct tape. Works on detached big toe nails, as well, but that is for another post. I will show that to you if you ask. It never was the same.

Life is good if you have a sense of incorrect humor. I will give it a ... brake.

[tjdonahoe]

I just installed my new 5000# axles. They do not have plugs. I studied the backing plates. There 4 large inlets for air around the circumference and one below the adjusters. Yep , the plugs do nothing ….i believe my new axles are not self adjusting….as I tightened then backed off with out using another screw driver to move the adjuster plate

[SpinWhite]

In my neck of the woods mud daubers like to make their nests in places like brake drums without the plugs.You know how I know.

[Gunor]

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/UP_807291

20 of them for $1.44 - get them by Monday. If I read the ad right…lol

[tjdonahoe]

Dont need em look at vent holes