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Adjusting self adjusting brakes

Busdriver
Explorer
Explorer
Trying to adjust my self adjusting brakes can’t find the star wheel through the hole, any idea

Busdriver

2019 2500 Chevy Duramax , - 2017 Grand Design 303 RLS
13 REPLIES 13

deltabravo
Nomad
Nomad
DEXTER NEV-R-ADJUST Trailer Brakes and How They Work

Busdriver wrote:
Trying to adjust my self adjusting brakes can’t find the star wheel through the hole, any idea

If they aren't adjusting by themselves, something is wrong with them it seems.
2009 Silverado 3500HD Dually, D/A, CCLB 4x4 (bought new 8/30/09)
2018 Arctic Fox 992 with an Onan 2500i "quiet" model generator

Old-Biscuit
Explorer
Explorer
HappyKayakers wrote:
Roger10378 wrote:
enblethen wrote:
Haven't heard back from OP, whether talking truck or trailer.


His truck is new enough that it will have 4 wheel disc so the answer is trailer.


Not necessarily. My truck has 4 wheel disc brakes but the emergency brakes are drum and have the self adjusters on them.



OPs 1st post
Trying to adjust my self adjusting brakes can’t find the star wheel through the hole, any idea


Trailer brakes obviously cause truck parking brakes are NOT self-adjusting
Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

HappyKayakers
Explorer
Explorer
Roger10378 wrote:
enblethen wrote:
Haven't heard back from OP, whether talking truck or trailer.


His truck is new enough that it will have 4 wheel disc so the answer is trailer.


Not necessarily. My truck has 4 wheel disc brakes but the emergency brakes are drum and have the self adjusters on them.
Joe, Mary and Dakota, the wacko cat
Fulltiming since 2006
2006 Dodge 3500 QC CTD SRW Jacobs Exhaust brake
2017 Open Range 3X388RKS, side porch

Roger10378
Explorer II
Explorer II
enblethen wrote:
Haven't heard back from OP, whether talking truck or trailer.


His truck is new enough that it will have 4 wheel disc so the answer is trailer.
2005 Cardinal 30TS
2007 Chevy 2500HD D/A

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Haven't heard back from OP, whether talking truck or trailer.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Explorer III
I have. on occasion. had to pull the drum to find the Q@!#$!@#$ Star wheel.
Home was where I park it. but alas the.
2005 Damon Intruder 377 Alas declared a total loss
after a semi "nicked" it. Still have the radios
Kenwood TS-2000, ICOM ID-5100, ID-51A+2, ID-880 REF030C most times

Old-Biscuit
Explorer
Explorer
A1B00902 wrote:
Used to in the old days, backup quickly and hit the brake hard,


Trailer self adjusting brakes do so when going/braking forward



As for Dexter Never Adjust......YES they can be manually adjusted

The Dexter Nev-R-Adjust electric trailer brakes can be manually adjusted. There are a couple teeth of the adjustment wheel that are exposed just under the lever
Attached is a photo showing the teeth. You will likely need a tool with a fine edge such as a flat head screw driver for the adjustment wheel on these brakes. A brake adjustment tool may be too thick.

Is it time for your medication or mine?


2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31

Grit_dog
Nomad III
Nomad III
enblethen wrote:
Dexter never adjust has no manual adjustment.


Sure looks like there’s still a star wheel on never adjusts. But idk
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

A1B00902
Explorer
Explorer
Used to in the old days, backup quickly and hit the brake hard,

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Dexter never adjust has no manual adjustment.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

opnspaces
Navigator
Navigator
There definitely needs to be a star wheel or they can't auto-adjust. There should be two slots at the bottom of the backing plate. The star is behind the slot closest to the rear of the trailer and toward the read of the slot. This is a right (Passenger) side photo.


Click For Full-Size Image.
.
2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton **** 2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH **** 1986 Coleman Columbia Popup

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
Some do not have the star wheel. Opening but no manual adjustment.
Are you working on trailer or truck?

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

HappyKayakers
Explorer
Explorer
Maybe they put it on backwards at the factory. The only reason I'm suggesting this is because I just did some work on my wheels (replacing lugs) and while I was pounding in the lugs I accidentally clipped the emergency brakes. A spring and the self adjuster fell off. When I put those parts back on, the self adjuster was backwards and I had to reinstall the next day.
Joe, Mary and Dakota, the wacko cat
Fulltiming since 2006
2006 Dodge 3500 QC CTD SRW Jacobs Exhaust brake
2017 Open Range 3X388RKS, side porch