trailer electric star adjuster how to measure length?

boggen · Jun 8, 2017

heard some dragging, pulled wheel. and found out the spring and the star adjuster broke and came off and both got mangled pretty good.

went to see what i could find and have different measurements for star adjusters.

how determined what length i need? 7", 10" 12"

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never realizing it before, when trying to find above came across below video. and who ever built the trailer, put the magnet on top. and the star adjuster as well on top, and the lever for the magnet is facing backwards not forwards, and the short pad of the 2 drum pads is facing rear ward.

will be pulling all 4 tires and brakes and swapping them side for side.

boggen · Jun 9, 2017

glad i decided to take other side off tonight, need another spring as well *doh*

and to confirm looks like i will need to pull all 4 brakes off the axles and swap everything around.

Diamondpilot · Jun 9, 2017

Time for new backing plates. Cheaper than partsband you will be doing it right

Deere Dude · Jun 9, 2017

Diamondpilot said:
Time for new backing plates. Cheaper than parts and you will be doing it right

X2!!!!
I went through that from advice given on this forum and some prodding from members. I would do the same thing again. You get new magnets, springs, shoes and whatever else that just needs to be put on. The whole assembly was about the same cost of just the magnets, if I recall correctly. It was a no brainer for me.

boggen · Jun 9, 2017

found what i was needing to figure out size of brakes

pic from How to Measure to Select the Correct Brake Shoes for a 6, lb Dexter Trailer Axle | etrailer.com

closer inspection. 5 bolt backer plate to axle. toss some PB blaster on the bolts/nuts, hopefully come off easily later on.

Gunny · Jun 15, 2017

Another vote for just getting new backing plate assemblies. They were a lot cheaper than buying the individual brake components and I do believe it was a lot faster replacing the assembly rather than installing all brake parts. Five bolts, two wires, repack the bearings, replace the hub and tire, adjust the new brakes, you're done.