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Old 05-31-2009, 08:14 AM   #1
TLightning
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Adjusting The Brakes

I've read most of the threads I can find on this subject, and what Dexter says in their manual. What I cannot find is the direction in which the star wheel is turned to either loosen or tighten the adjustment. It seems most instructions start by saying to "turn the star wheel until there is heavy drag." Fine, but which way??

Thanks.
 
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Old 05-31-2009, 09:15 AM   #2
H. John Kohl
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I have a 50% change of getting this right. I believe I put the tip of the screw driver or star wrench on the bottom of a tooth so the handle end is high and push down on the handle raising the blade up to tighten the brakes.

Remember it is a 50 / 50 guess.

Good luck.
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Old 05-31-2009, 12:55 PM   #3
azleflyer
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If I remember correctly, after inserting the brake adjusting tool, move the star wheel in an upward direction until a drag on the wheel hub is felt.
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Old 05-31-2009, 01:42 PM   #4
noneck
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As John said...and I'm 100% sure he is right as I just did my yearly Maintenance although mine are Al-KO's, I believe they are all the same.
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Old 06-01-2009, 05:59 AM   #5
sreigle
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Use a flashlight to peer inside at the starwheel assembly. The threads are standard righthand. You want to increase the length of the adjuster assembly in order to tighten the brakes. If you have to move the starwheel up on one side of an axle, it will be the reverse on the opposite side. Hope this helps. Here's what it looks like.

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Old 06-01-2009, 09:09 AM   #6
TLightning
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Did the job today...set the screw driver so it was resting on lower lip of opening. By putting the blade in the teeth of the star wheel and pushing the screwdriver handle down, the brakes tightened.

Thanks for the help.
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Old 06-01-2009, 09:44 AM   #7
illapah
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Tom, was the procedure the same for both sides (pushing the handle down to tighten)? How far out was yours? i need to get on mine this week as we are heading out next week for Montana if all goes as planned.
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Old 06-01-2009, 12:16 PM   #8
TLightning
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Same for both sides...it would have to be...the tires/wheels don't know which side they are on

The farthest out took about 18 turns to get it fully tightened. The only problem I had was self induced. On two wheels, I did not keep the block of wood the jack was sitting on far enough away from the tire, so as the tire was moving up (as I jacked it up) it hit the block of wood. So I let the tire down, moved the wood and did it again. All told, an easy job. Also, I had the Montana hooked to the truck for added stability.
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Old 06-04-2009, 09:37 AM   #9
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At Quartzsite, thanks to Bill Nappier (Crossthread) we adjusted about 15 sets of brakes on Montanas. In every case, we pushed down on the brake adjusting tool to tighten and up to lessen the drag of the shoes on the drum.
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Old 06-04-2009, 11:33 AM   #10
sreigle
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So they apparently now position the adjusters so one side "points" forward and the other rearward? Otherwise you'd have to push down on one side and up on the other, which is the way it used to be. Interesting.
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Old 06-04-2009, 01:58 PM   #11
TLightning
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by sreigle

So they apparently now position the adjusters so one side "points" forward and the other rearward? Otherwise you'd have to push down on one side and up on the other, which is the way it used to be. Interesting.
Don't know how they used to work, but on my 07, the backs of all four wheels were the same, and the star wheel worked the same for all of them.
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Old 06-04-2009, 02:18 PM   #12
simonsrf
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by sreigle

So they apparently now position the adjusters so one side "points" forward and the other rearward? Otherwise you'd have to push down on one side and up on the other, which is the way it used to be. Interesting.
Yep, that is the way all of them were, Steve. We did all the new rigs and all the older ones that way too....I know what you are saying, but it was unmistakable after lying on your stomach bonking your head several times, we did it the same every time for all of the different years of rigs...tighten (down, usually 20 clicks) and then loosen (up, about 3 clicks) to where they would turn.
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Old 06-06-2009, 10:15 AM   #13
illapah
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Just did my Monty brakes. About as all have said, about 18 clicks to tighten and back off about 3.
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Old 06-07-2009, 12:51 PM   #14
PackerFan
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After you feel the drag on the wheel hub - How much do you back it off?

I need to do mine also before the next trip.

Also, where is the best place to jack it up at.....Under axle or frame?

Scott
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Old 06-07-2009, 03:30 PM   #15
illapah
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I jack mine on one of the 'U' clamps on the axle which gives enough room for a screwdriver to adjust with. I tighten to just where the wheel won't turn and then back off for light drag which was about 3 clicks per axle.
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Old 06-07-2009, 04:25 PM   #16
KathyandDave
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I believe I understand what's being done here, but why? Feeling dumb, but it beats some of the alternatives!
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Old 06-07-2009, 04:49 PM   #17
illapah
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If I understand your question, the reason to adjust brakes is to compensate for wear. Most Montana's do not have automatic adjusters.
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Old 06-08-2009, 07:00 AM   #18
KathyandDave
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How often/ what mileage should you do this? Would this ordinarily be part of the service schedule, but cheaper DIY? How many times can you do it, or how can you tell that the brakes are worn out?
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Old 06-18-2009, 07:05 AM   #19
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I seem to be reading conflicting info. Just to be sure, when I insert the screwdriver, I push DOWN on the screwdriver's handle to tighten; then, when tight, push UP on the handle about 3 clicks to just loosen the brakes off a bit? and when you say 18 "turns", do you mean 18 complete revolutions of the star?

Sorry for being dumb.

bob
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Old 06-18-2009, 07:43 AM   #20
simonsrf
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by bigbob7777

I seem to be reading conflicting info. Just to be sure, when I insert the screwdriver, I push DOWN on the screwdriver's handle to tighten; then, when tight, push UP on the handle about 3 clicks to just loosen the brakes off a bit? and when you say 18 "turns", do you mean 18 complete revolutions of the star?

Sorry for being dumb.

bob
bob,

That means 18 clicks down (or until you can't go down any more), then enough clicks up (3 or so) until the wheel/drum turns smoothly.
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