Electric Drum Brake Adjustments

[leemedic]

OK, I searched the site, and did not find what I was looking for.

I have a 2013 Montana. Are the electric drum brakes auto adjust, or must they be adjusted by hand?

I removed the two caps, and used a flashlight to look inside. I did not see the normal adjustment wheel that I am custom to.

[rohrmann]

There is an adjusting wheel, but once the drum is installed with the shoes adjusted out so the drum just goes on, the brakes adjust themselves. The adjusting mechanism works when applying the brakes while going forward, not backwards like autos and trucks that adjust while applying the brakes in reverse. No need to manually adjust them, but they should be inspected annually when packing the bearings, which means, pull the drums, pack the bearings, install new seals, and inspect the brake shoes and the assembly. Some are brave enough to use the E-Z-Lube system, but that bypasses the safety inspection of the brakes.

[leemedic]

Thanks for the reply!

[rickbecker]

Just my 2 cents worth - MAKE THE SWAP TO DISK BRAKES! Your adjustment concerns go away and your stopping distance will go in half - I was amazed at what a difference the change made and I am positive that my truck and one large deer are both undamaged as a result!!

[K0LCB]

Wow! I made my first trip with my new disc brakes installed. I am impressed, I don't know if it cut stop distance in half but it makes a big difference

[bigred715]

What are we talking about price to have them installed?

[K0LCB]

Wow! I made my first trip with my new disc brakes installed. I am impressed, I don't know if it cut stop distance in half but it makes a big difference

[rickbecker]

I put 4 Kodiak disks with Titan controller on Dexter 7000 lb axles for right at $1800 - I bought the parts from etrailer and did the work myself. Pretty straight forward work if you are mechanically inclined and you need tubing bender and flaring tool.

I would guess you could get a complete job done at a shop for around $3000.

I will emphasize again how much better the entire braking system performs!!

[Gradified]

Meanwhile the electrics do the job OK. Etrailer video is good explanation regarding original question.
http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Brak...er/23-464.html I will say though that in the end installing disks is more economical and efficient because as that stupid magnet drags across the "armature", face of the drum, it inevitably will degrade the surface. Polishing back to an acceptable micron finish is $50 and that's without $16 for turning because of brake wear. If you polish you have to replace the magnet, another $37+27 for shoes. Cost of a new brake assy is $83 so every few years I can look forward to spending about $800 just to keep my brakes working. New hubs, new brake assy. Saving for something better.