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Post by rogerthedodger on Sept 27, 2016 19:12:35 GMT -8
Thanks msgoehring, I have come to the same conclusion. First, I am going to try new backing plates with old drums.
Then, new drums, wheels with 5 bolts. Well, it's only $$ right?? I really like the self adjusters, so whatever I need to do I will do.
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Post by bigbill on Sept 28, 2016 8:16:11 GMT -8
Hi bigbill. I read your response on self adjust brakes. I think you are thinking old school self adjusters on cars, where you had to back up to make them adjust. from etrailer "If you let the brakes alone they will eventually adjust themselves so that all of the brake assemblies are operating the same. The self adjusting brakes adjust themselves each time you apply the brakes and keep the brakes adjusted for maximum braking performance". My experience is the same on my Airstream Argosy, they were continually adjusted, the best brakes I have ever had, on 8 or 10 trailers I have owned. I would love to see a tech spec sheet on these self adjusters you are speaking about, looking at the pictures they look like they operate only after a reverse stop then a forward stop. I am getting old but I like to learn about new products or designs. I have been towing trailers for over a half century and have never had a serious adjustment problem or excessive wear. Some of my rigs have had three axles some one with weights up to 18 ton. The greatest improvement to trailer braking has been the modern electronic controllers, by far better than the old resistor coils where you had to raise the hood and change the tap point to adjust braking. I love the factory controller in my Silverado. |
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Post by rogerthedodger on Sept 28, 2016 11:31:06 GMT -8
Etrailer responded to my question: Thank you for asking the following question: Do you have a 10inch brake drum for a 3500# axle with 4 on 4 lugs? Answer: We do offer some 4-on-4 bolt pattern 10-inch hub/drums but none are rated for 3500-lb axles. All such hubs we carry are rated for 2000- or 2200-lb axles; all can be seen on the linked page. In selecting a new hub it is critical that you choose one that uses the same bearings as the original hub; this will ensure they will fit properly on your spindles. Helpful Articles, Links, and Videos: www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Trailer_Hubs_and_Drums-sf-Hub_with_Integrated_Drum-co-10_Inch-sz-4_on_4_Inch.aspx I will need to verify the axle rating and bearing/spindle size, but looking good to me. UPDATE: They sent me info for a 10" drum, but actually it is for 7" drum. BACK TO SQUARE 1. |
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Post by bigbill on Sept 28, 2016 12:03:39 GMT -8
If you are using 13 inch wheels the may not clear a 10 inch drum.
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Post by Teachndad on Oct 14, 2016 21:01:18 GMT -8
Hi Friends, Anyone been able to mount Dexter Never Adjust brake assemblies on any axles from the 50's vintage trailers like the link below? www.etrailer.com/p-23-469.htmlI am wondering if they will fit on our older axles. Or are we stuck with just the conventional brake assemblies? www.etrailer.com/p-23-26.htmlThanks, Rod Hi Friends, Kind of weird quoting myself. But, I wanted to share some relevant info. I chose not to go with the Never adjusts because I just couldn't wrap my mind around this backing up thing to adjust the brakes. I know the reviews on etrailer for the Never Adjusts were great, but I just couldn't fully understand how to pre adjust the Never Adjusts. In the end, I felt more comfortable with the conventional brakes. I recently worked on a mid 50's 2400 lbs. vintage travel trailer. I pulled off the original 12 x 2 (5 hole backing plates) and bolted on new Dexter standard braking backing plates. I decided to go with what was tried and true and went with the traditional backing plates (non Never adjust). I replaced the mounting bolts and nuts with new ones. On the streetside, the backing plate mated very well to the original hub. I had no issues. On the curbside, however, when finger tightening the castle nut, I could not turn the hub backwards. Forwards turned freely. Something continued to catch every time I made it an 1/8 of a turn backward and the hub would freeze up. The original drums were coated with rust. I don't think the flange was bent. Eventually, I even called Dexter Axle for advice. The technician said he had never heard of such a thing in 31 years. I gave up on trying to make it work, and reinstalled the original backing plate and I never saw the issue again. The original backing plate was operational and did it's job. One thing to note. The original backing plates have a large diameter center hole that fits over a lip that is on the axle flange. Clearly, they were designed to be compatible. The lip helped center the original backing plate to the flange. However, the newer Dexter brake assembly did not have the large diameter mounting hole. The one thing I don't know at this point is that since I drove for three days using the original hub, that I probably wore off the rust on the inside surfaces of the hub enough, so that I can give it a second try with the new backing plate. Any thoughts? If I hadn't had the issue with the curbside hub freezing up going backward, I could happily post that mating the new with the old works like a charm. But, right now I can't, completely. Rod |
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Post by bigbill on Oct 15, 2016 1:14:20 GMT -8
If you have rust on a brake drum and don't wish to have it turned, grab some sand paper and clean the rust off including the magnet surface. It takes a little effort but is worth the time and energy involved.
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Post by rogerthedodger on Nov 17, 2016 16:42:00 GMT -8
I decided to order 10" backing plates from E-Trailer with self adjusters. I installed the street side plate today and it appears to fit with my Hadco drums and axles. I already got new inner seals, so will be testing these brakes soon. Stay tuned.
Roger
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htchevyii
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1966 Aristocrat Lo-Liner
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Post by htchevyii on Mar 13, 2017 15:28:03 GMT -8
Did the backing plates fit?
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chucksmartt
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Post by chucksmartt on Apr 5, 2017 6:07:36 GMT -8
Well this took longer than I expected...I could find no way to cobble Dexter brakes to '56 Shasta Hadco axle, weird dimensions at every level. After seeing uneven tire wear at one wheel I desided to go with a whole new axle assembly. Found just the ticket at Trailer Parts USA. A Reliable 3500 lb. axle with self adjust brakes. They let you choose the axle width, mine at best measure were 63" drum surface to drum surface. It does come as a round tube instead of square, but has the 4" drop. It fit pefect but I did have to reuse my stock springs.
As far as having to back up and apply brakes to adjust, I never apply my brakes on my pick up, with self adjust rear drums, when I back up and stop, momentum just runs out. So now it has to be a conscious decision. I did up grade my brake contoller to a Primus IQ instead of my 40 year old controller. Around the neighborhood this combo works great, will go camping this weekend to give it the big test.
Would love to post pictures, but I couldn't figure out how to do that if my life depended on it. I click on the picture icon and what? Type in the 300 digit jpeg number??? That would take me a week.
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Post by vikx on Apr 5, 2017 21:28:06 GMT -8
Right click at the top of the photo page. It should be highlighted. Then choose "copy". Go to whatever post you are writing and right click again. Choose "paste". There will be letters but when you post, it will show up as a picture.
Alternatively, after "copy" press CTRL and V at the same time. It will paste the copied content on the page.
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chucksmartt
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Post by chucksmartt on Apr 7, 2017 9:23:45 GMT -8
I have a Mac, don't be like me and buy a Mac. Every time I upgrade to a new operating system, it gets more and more user unfriendly. Going camping in a few hours. The Mac will be staying at home.
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