self adj trailer brakes?

[rob10858]

the trailer that i'm currently pulling has self adjusting brakes [supposedly]. i know that everytime you back-up and apply the brake, the adjusters should keep the brakes adjusted. well, it aint happening. had to manually adjust today, which is very tricky with sab systems, once they get tight, it's almost impossible to unlock the liners from the hub. what can we do to get the adjusters to work propely?

 

[Shooter]

If the self adjters work like vehicle s then you would adj them just like any drum w/ self adj. You use a small long screw driver to push the adjusting link away from the star wheel to turn the star wheel backwards.

 

[rob10858]

but they don't. on adjustable brakes, you adjust until the brake pad locks the wheel then back off until there is just the slightest drag from the pads. you do that with a sab system and you're s... . d, you can't back off the adjuster , because of a collar around the adjuster on self adjusting brake sys. anyone else experienced this. ? by the way, dexter axle, hubs, brakes.

 

[DuallyDean]

Packman--

I've turned the little devils backward, but you need to be able to get in there with a small pick to hold the adjuster lever away from the ratchet wheel while you turn it backwards. NOT EASY.

The only truly self adjusting brakes I know of are DISC.



Kodiaktrailer.com is a site you may be interested in looking at. Even if you don't buy, it is nice to drool over. I have decided to convert my tandem axle gooseneck to disc brakes, which requires a vacuum over hydraulic or electric over hydraulic brake control system. The brake conversion itself is about 280. 00 per axle, but a vac/hyd control system (The route I'm going) is going to set me back about 850. 00. Every one I've talked to who runs vac/hyd brake systems says the "feel" and perform much better than electrics. I feel the improvement in braking (not to mention the ease of maintinence) is worth it--especially so if it causes me to avoid an accident.

 

[Shooter]

Have you tried Dexters web site or calling Dexter ???