TRAILER OPERATOR’S MANUAL 7
TRAILER MANUAL • 8.917-527.0 • 8.917-526.0 • 8.917-526.0 • Rev. 9/09
BRAKES
Brake Adjustment
Brakes should be adjusted (1) after the first 200 miles of
operation after the brake shoes and drums have “seated”,
(2) at 3000 mile intervals and (3) as use and performance
require. The brakes should be adjusted in the following
manner:
1. Jack up trailer and secure on adequate capacity jack
stands. Check that wheel and drum rotate freely.
2. Remove adjusting hole cover from adjusting slot on
bottom of brake backing plate.
3. With screwdriver or standard adjusting tool, rotate
the starwheel of the adjuster assembly to expand
the brake shoes. Adjust the brake shoes out until the
pressure of the linings against the drum makes the
wheel very difficult to turn.
Note: With drop spindle axles, a modified adjusting
tool with about an 80 degree angle should be used.
4. Then rotate starwheel in opposite direction until wheel
turns freely with slight lining drag.
5. Replace the adjusting hole cover and lower wheel to
ground.
6. Repeat above procedure on all brakes.
CAUTION: Never crawl under your trailer unless
it is resting on properly placed jack stands.
Do not lift or place supports on any part of the suspen-
sion system.
Brake Cleaning & Inspection
Your trailer brakes must be inspected and serviced at
yearly intervals or more often as use and performance
require. Magnets and shoes must be changed when they
become worn or scored thereby preventing inadequate
vehicle braking.
Clean the backing plate, magnet arm, magnet and brake
shoes. Make certain that all the parts removed are re-
placed in the same brake and drum assembly. Inspect
the magnet arm for any loose or worn parts. Check shoe
return springs, hold down springs and adjuster springs
for stretch or deformation and replace if required.
CAUTION: Asbestos Dust Hazard. Since
some brake shoe friction materials contain
asbestos, certain precautions need to be
taken when servicing brakes:
1. Avoid creating or breathing dust.
2. Avoid machining, filing or grinding the brake linings.
3. Do not use compressed air or dry brushing for clean-
ing. (Dust can be removed with a damp brush).
TRAILER STORAGE
Preparation
If your trailer is to be stored for an extended period of
time or over the winter, it is important that the trailer be
prepared properly.
1. Remove the emergency breakaway battery and store
inside, out of the weather. Charge the battery at least
every 90 days.
2. Jack up the trailer and place jack stands under trailer
frame so that the weight will be off the tires. Never
jack up or place jack stands on the axle tube.
3. Lubricate mechanical moving parts that are ex-
posed to weather, such as the hitch and suspension
parts.
Note: On oil lubricated hubs the upper part of the roller
bearings are not immersed in oil and are subject to po-
tential corrosion. For maximum bearing life it is recom-
mended that you revolve your wheels periodically (every
2-3 weeks) during periods of prolonged storage.
After Prolonged Storage — Inspection
Procedures
Before removing trailer from jack stands:
1. Remove all wheels and hubs or brake drums. Note
which spindle and brake that the drum was removed
from so that it can be reinstalled in the same loca-
tion.
2. Inspect suspension for wear.
3. Check tightness of hanger bolt, shackle bolt and
U-bolt nuts per recommended torque values.
4. Check brake linings, brake drums and armature faces
for excessive wear or scoring.
5. Check brake magnets with an ohmmeter. The
magnets should check 3.2 ohms. If shorted or worn
excessively, replace.
6. Lubricate all brake moving parts using a high tem-
perature brake lubricant. (LUBRIPLATE or equiva-
lent).
CAUTION: Do not get grease or oil on brake linings
or magnet face.
7. Remove any rust from braking surface and armature
surface of drums with fine emery paper or crocus
cloth. Protect bearings from contamination while so
doing.
8. Inspect oil or grease seals for wear or nicks. Replace
if necessary.
9. Lubricate hub bearings. Refer to procedure in
manual.
10. Reinstall hubs and adjust bearing per instructions in
manual.
