Q: What are the likely causes for a recently installed seal to leak?

A: The most likely cause for a leaking seal is improper installation, contamination, or damage to the spindle or hub. The very best quality seal can leak if it is improperly installed, contaminated prior to installation, or if there is damage to its mating surface.

Q: What type of maintenance is required on my electric trailer brakes?

A: Manual electric brakes typically should be adjusted:

• After the first 200 miles of operation when the brake shoes and drums have “seated”
• At 3,000 mile intervals, or
• Under special operating circumstances, i.e. heavy use, frequent stops, or variable terrain

The use of self-adjust brakes virtually eliminates the need for manual adjustments.

Q: How can you tell the difference between LH and RH brakes?

A: With the brake magnet at the bottom of the brake, the magnet actuating arm will curve either to the left (LH) or right (RH) from the top pivot point of the brake arm down to the magnet. If the arm curves to the left, it is a left-hand brake. If it curves to the right, it is a right-hand brake. In addition, the primary shoe is always to the front of the trailer and the brake wires always exit the rear of the brake backing plate.

Q: What are self-adjust electric brakes?

A: Self-adjust electric brakes automatically adjust the brake shoes during every forward stop, maintaining the proper clearance between the shoes and the drum as the linings wear down.

How Self-Adjust Electric Brakes Work

Self-adjust brakes have a mechanism with a cable attached to the front brake shoe that wraps around a pulley on the rear shoe. When the brakes are applied during forward motion, the cable rotates a lever that adjusts the position of the shoes, keeping the gap between the shoes and drum within the specified range.

This self-adjusting feature eliminates the need for manual adjustments every 3,000 miles or annually, which is required for standard electric drum brakes to compensate for lining wear and maintain optimal braking performance

Q: What is the advantage of using self-adjust brakes vs. manual adjust brakes?

Key Advantages of Self-Adjust Electric Brakes

1. Maintain optimal brake adjustment automatically, without manual intervention. This ensures consistent braking performance as the linings wear down.
2. Reduce stopping distances by up to 50% compared to improperly adjusted manual brakes. Properly adjusted brakes provide maximum braking force.
3. Save time and money by eliminating the need for periodic manual adjustments every 3,000 miles or annually.
4. Stay on the road longer with less brake maintenance and adjustments downtime.

However, there are some potential drawbacks of self-adjust brakes:

• The self-adjusting mechanism adds complexity, extra pivot points, and drag to the system, requiring heavier springs and making reassembly more difficult after repairs.
• Self-adjust brakes may wear out faster than manual brakes that are not adjusted regularly, as the self-adjusters keep applying maximum braking force.
• If the self-adjusting cable falls out of the pulley groove, it can cause problems and require disassembly to fix.

Q: I have heard the term CSA used when it comes to electric brakes. What does CSA stand for and why is it important?

A: CSA stands for Canadian Standards Association. Because there are no uniform standards for trailer brakes in the USA, many brake manufacturers use CSA certification to show their products meet certain performance specifications. CSA certification is required to sell trailer brakes and trailers into the Canadian market. Where required, all Dexter, and Trailer Parts Pro brands are CSA approved.