1995 dual axle trailmaster drum brake adj

[Triggm]

Hy ya'll! I'm kinda new so talk slow and MAYBE I'll understand. I have a 1995 dual axle trail master trailer with titan model 10 surge-o-matic brake actuator. My first question is about testing the brakes. To bleed them you loosen the safety couple thing that engages if your trailer falls off-pulling it forward is like pushing a brake pedal. So, if I pull it forward and try to move the trailer and the brakes are working won't this stop the trailer? Would this be one way to test if the brakes are working? I tried this after bleeding them and the trailer moved easily. Now I'm going to adjust them but each drum has two of those little dustcovers that you pull off to adjust the brakes. Why two? which one do I adjust? Both?

That?s enough for now Thanks in advance for any help.
Trigg

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: 1995 dual axle trailmaster drum brake adj

Hy ya'll! I'm kinda new so talk slow......

I'll type reeaalll slow and only use two fingers!!!!

I tried this after bleeding them and the trailer moved easily. Now I'm going to adjust them......

Ya' kinda got that backwards there Triggm...you adjust your brakes and THEN bleed them.

but each drum has two of those little dustcovers that you pull off to adjust the brakes. Why two?.....

Couple of answers: You may have two single servo wheel cylinders (one for each shoe) or you have a gerneric backing plate to fit several different trailers. Only the removal of the drum can truly answer this question.

....which one do I adjust? Both?.....

Depends on the above.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1995 dual axle trailmaster drum brake adj

You can bleed or adjust your brakes in either order.

Your drum brakes will have one wheel cylinder. That is why you only have one bleeder screw per wheel.

If you can't see the adjuster wheel from either of the slots, just take the drum off to see how the adjuster works and which window its near.

You should just take off the drum first anyway to inspect the brakes and lube the adjuster so its easier to turn. Pull back the rubber cover off of the wheel cylinder to see what it looks like in there. If its all corroded(likely) just replace the darn thing. They don't last very long at all. All of the newer ones are aluminum so they don't corrode as fast.

To test the brakes, jack up each wheel and spin them while applying the actuator. The problem with moving the trailer and and actuating the actuator is that if only one wheel's brakes are working, you will think you are fine which in fact you aren't.