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Braking Systems - Hydraulic
General Maintenance - Hydraulic Brakes
Drum Brake Adjustment - Manual
Most Dexter 12 1/4" hydraulic brakes have a self adjusting feature.
If manual adjusting is required, use the following procedure:
Brakes should be adjusted (1) after the rst 200 miles of operation when the
brake shoes and drums have “seated,” (2) at 3,000 mile intervals, (3) or as
use and performance requires. The brakes should be adjusted in the following
manner:
1. Jack up trailer and secure on adequate capacity jack stands. Follow
trailer manufacturer’s recommendations for lifting and supporting the
unit. Make sure the wheel and drum rotates freely.
CAUTION
Do not lift or support the trailer on any part of the axle or suspension
system. Never go under any trailer unless it is properly supported on
jack stands which have been rated for the load. Improperly supported
vehicles can fall unexpectedly and cause serious injury or death.
2. Remove the adjusting hole cover from the adjusting slot on the bottom of
the brake backing plate.
3. With a screwdriver or standard adjusting tool, rotate the star wheel of the
adjuster assembly to expand the brake shoes. Adjust the brake shoes
out until the pressure of the linings against the drum makes the wheel
very difcult to turn.
Note: For drop spindle axles, a modied adjusting tool may be
necessary.
4. Then rotate the star wheel in the opposite direction until the wheel turns
freely with a slight lining drag.
5. Replace the adjusting hole cover and lower the wheel to the ground.
6. Repeat the above procedure on all brakes. For best results, the brakes
should all be set at the same clearance.
Most of the brake components are very similar to those used in electric brakes,
and maintenance is comparable for the hub and drum, shoes and linings, and
bearings. Specic maintenance activities are as follows:
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