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Old 08-25-2003, 08:45 AM   #1
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Brake adjustment...

Anybody have a link to a page describing how to adjust drum brakes? I don't want to be turning the adjuster the wrong way for half an hour....

Thanks!

Don
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Old 08-25-2003, 01:03 PM   #2
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Don, on the Dexter site, a detailed drawing of the 10 inch brakes is at http://i.b5z.net/i/u/1080235/f/10_in._Brakes.pdf The brake adjuster is item 7. As you look from the back of the wheel, the threaded rod goes from right to left into the notched captive adjuster wheel. To tighten the brakes, place the end of your bent screwdriver down low to engage the bottom of the notched adjuster, and rotate the wheel upwards. That forces the rod to move to the right, and expands the shoes to apply the brakes. I'm 4000 miles from my trailer, but that's what my memory tells me.If someone has installed item 7 the wrong way round, you will have a frustrating few minutes! If you don't have 10 inch brakes, the Dexter site has diagrams of several other types. Good luck. Nick.
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Old 08-25-2003, 01:06 PM   #3
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You can also shine a light into the slot, to see if the adjuster is expanding or contracting, as you are turning it.
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Old 08-25-2003, 01:09 PM   #4
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That outta get me off to a good start - thank you, gentlemen!
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Old 08-25-2003, 01:51 PM   #5
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Don,
You may want to pull the wheel to inspect the springs on the brakes. Three of the small ones at the bottom ours were broken and just dangling. I bought new ones at a brake shop for $1.78 each and replaced all four of them. If you do take the wheel off, you can then see how the adjuster wheel works and better understand what you are doing.
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Old 08-25-2003, 04:35 PM   #6
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...and maybe scratch an arrow on the backing plate above the slot so you won't have to wonder next time?
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Old 12-09-2003, 09:07 AM   #7
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I have a persistent problem with adjusting the brakes on my trailer. Two years ago I replaced the entire back plate assemblies, including magnets, shoes and springs. I rapidly discovered thet the adjusters work in the opposite direction to the description in the manual. To tighten the brakes I now put the bent screwdriver in low, and lever up. Having overcome that little challenge, I now find that the adjusters jam solid on most occasions when tightening. I can always turn the star wheels in the opposite direction. I have removed the drums a dozen times to undrstand what is going wrong. I assume that either the corner of the magnets, or the horizontal spring across the adjuster are fouling the star wheel when the drum is installed. This only occurs when the drums are on, so I would need a transparent drum to see what is going on! I should be able to diagnose such a trivial issue, but I've failed. Before I contact Dexter for advice, have any of you had this problem, and perhaps found a solution? Thanks. Nick.
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Old 04-07-2004, 05:56 AM   #8
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As an update to the above problem, a tiny amount of grease on the star wheel cured it. Nick
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