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Old 10-03-2010, 04:25 PM   #1
dieselguy
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Dexter Brakes Bad Quality Control

I had responded to an earlier post about their brake issues and the new self adjusting brakes. As seen in these photos of my new 3150RL I believe there seems to be a quality issue with the Dexter brakes here lately as there have been several posts about brake failure or premature wear. The first photo with a brand new looking brake is just that ... over 3000 miles and never worked straight from the factory ... wire severed at backing plate. The next two photos are of the rear brake on the same side. The second shows the adjusting wheel was not located on the shoe correctly and the third photo shows the square fulcrum missing from the post on the top of the rusty acuating arm. This brake obviously worked for a while, but somewhere down the road, things fell apart. I always carry a non contact heat gun and check my wheels at rest stops. The street side wheels were running about 100 degrees hotter than the curbside after repeated stops ... the street side brakes were doing all the work as the curb side were just along for the ride. My dealer and I had a long talk about my brakes specifically about the severed wire that wasn't caught on the dealer PDI.


 
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Old 10-03-2010, 06:42 PM   #2
8e3k0
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Yes, quality of workmanship again on suspension parts, and now along with poor welding on the spindle to axle; wow I hope no one gets into an accident with these problems that could have been controlled at the assembly plants!! I wonder how many brake sets are out there dragging from new until they literally wear out?? I will be coming back later with what I came across with springs, u-bolts, shocks, and the area at the back where sewer hose was stored on our 09 3400RL. would be nice to have the option when ordering to upgrade all these componets to a level of reliability similar to the truck industry. After spending all this retrofit time on our rig I will be able to build my own 5th wheel!! LOL.
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Old 10-04-2010, 02:38 AM   #3
Jdrobone
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If the wires to the magnet are cut, then the circuit to the magnet is "open". If you have a compass (I use mine to set up the satellite dish) just put it close to the wheel and have someone press the brake pedal. If the magnet is operational you will see the needle swing in that direction. Not too close now, you'll need that compass again.
Jerry
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Old 10-04-2010, 12:37 PM   #4
mail2us
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Dexter self-adjusting brakes were a hot item at the recent fally rally. Hopefully those purchased all have an operating life?
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Old 10-05-2010, 12:12 PM   #5
richfaa
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dexter would not have been unloading bad units on us now ..would they????
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Old 10-21-2010, 03:08 PM   #6
sreigle
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We had new Dexter axles with self-adjusting brakes installed back in July 2008, when they were a brand new item in the 7k axles. The installer waited a couple of weeks so he could get the self adjusting version for us. So far we've had no problems that I am aware of. Next week we have the wheel bearings repacked and the brakes checked so we'll see if all is well.
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Old 10-21-2010, 04:34 PM   #7
CORattler
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Did the 2010 3150RLs have self adjusting brakes?

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by dieselguy

I had responded to an earlier post about their brake issues and the new self adjusting brakes. As seen in these photos of my new 3150RL I believe there seems to be a quality issue with the Dexter brakes here lately as there have been several posts about brake failure or premature wear. The first photo with a brand new looking brake is just that ... over 3000 miles and never worked straight from the factory ... wire severed at backing plate. The next two photos are of the rear brake on the same side. The second shows the adjusting wheel was not located on the shoe correctly and the third photo shows the square fulcrum missing from the post on the top of the rusty acuating arm. This brake obviously worked for a while, but somewhere down the road, things fell apart. I always carry a non contact heat gun and check my wheels at rest stops. The street side wheels were running about 100 degrees hotter than the curbside after repeated stops ... the street side brakes were doing all the work as the curb side were just along for the ride. My dealer and I had a long talk about my brakes specifically about the severed wire that wasn't caught on the dealer PDI.


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