Do new auto-adjust brakes need adjusting

[tweber502]

After replacing the brakes on the Monty (entire assembly) with a new set of self adjusting brakes is there any adjustments that need to be done before towing? Not sure if they need an initial adjustment like the manual adjust brakes, then the self adjusters take over or just hook up and go. Dexter book talks about burnishing them but nothing about pre-adjustments. Thanks in advance for the help. Tim

[dieselguy]

If it were mine, I'd jack each tire back up and spin the wheel. If they don't have a slight drag, pop off the slot covers on the backing plate and adjust as necessary. I say that because if you didn't adjust them up some before you slipped the brake drum on, they may be way loose. It takes a lot of auto adjuster clicks on the star wheel to take up that kind of slack. When I say adjust before you install the brake drum, I mean just put the drum over the shoes a few times and adjust till you feel a bit of resistance when just sliding it on the spindle, then fully install the drum.

[tweber502]

Dieselguy, thanks for the tip. When I slipped the drums over the brakes they did fit pretty snuggly but will jack it back up and check the adjustments.

[Art-n-Marge]

Yup, dieselguy has a good idea... then after they've been adjusted correctly, the self-adjusters should keep them adjusted. I suppose the only way of telling if they are staying adjusted is to jack up the trailer properly and give them a check every so often. If the self-adjusters are working, then you shouldn't have to make any adjustment.

[mojavemike]

I manually adjust mine when I do my wheel bearings. They are close to what I manually adjust but it just gives me peace of mind.