g'day all ive just replaced my wheel bearings and bearing buddys now my main concern is that the brake on my trailer is pretty loose and doesnt tend to work well at the moment so i would like to know how to adjust the trailer brakes properly if any one knows how to do this copuld give me a lil run down on how its done cos i want to get it right the first time cos not really a thing to play around with if you dont know what to do exactly all help wouyld be great
cheers brad
triman
08-06-2007, 06:58 PM
Brad, I'm no expert but a bit more info may be handy.
Single or tandem axle,
If tandem 2 or 4 brakes
Cable, hydraulic or electric brakes,
Disc or drum.
hi triman its a single axel trailer and has cable brakes
triman
11-06-2007, 10:22 PM
Cable-activated brakes are relatively simple to adjust.
There's probably a single wire from the lever on one side, through a "hook" or a pulley on the back end of the tow coupling then across to the other brake hub. Check http://www.alko.com.au/vehicle/disc_brakes/m_cable.html
Somewhere there"ll be an adjustor, either in the wire or near the hook/pulley.
Make sure the actuating lever on the hub is free and working each side. Also ensure the tow coupling moves freely and that the adjustor is fee to be adjusted.
Now jack up one side of the trailer until the wheel is just clear of the ground, give it a good spin, and adjust the bottle screw until you can hear/feel it dragging on the hub. Then back off the adjustor very slightly.
As there is only 1 effective wire this should make the adjustment the same on both sides, providing everything is free to be adjusted. Both hubs should rotate freely.
Now pull back on the handbrake lever, see http://www.alko.com.au/vehicle/couplings/override.html and yours should look like the first photo but without bthe hydraulic cylinder, and put the locking pawl in the toothed rack. This should lock both hubs.
It's a matter of patience and a bit of trial and error but if everything is free and working correctly it will work as required.
Hope this helps, or someone can provide clearer pictures.