Adjust Van Brakes

PeterInSa · Guru

Adjust Van Brakes

Brenda and Alan · Guru

The adjuster is opposite the handbrake lever so that hole is not for adjusting.

Normal positioning is handbrake lever to top and adjuster at the bottom.

Alan

Rodsvan · Veteran Member

My experience is limited to a couple of caravans, but I have found there have been two small slots with rubber/plastic plugs in them. They have been towards the bottom of the backing plate. I had previously had the drum off so I knew which of the two slots was best access for adjustment. Repco and similar shops sell the adjustment levers for about $10 and they are much better than trying to use a screwdriver. Have you checked the wheel bearing? I recently helped with a friend's caravan which had one wheel getting hot. It turned out that the mechanic who had recently re-packed the bearings had stuffed up and only put a small amount of grease on that bearing.

Rodsvan · Veteran Member

If you google 'adjusting alko electric trailer brakes' the first couple of links are very good if you need help. Note: Alko are very common, however other brands may be different.

Dick0 · Guru

Brenda and Alan wrote:
The adjuster is opposite the handbrake lever so that hole is not for adjusting.
Normal positioning is handbrake lever to top and adjuster at the bottom.
Alan

Spot on.

Adjust them the same way you adjusted the brakes on the first car you owned.

PeterInSa · Guru

Re (The adjuster is opposite the handbrake lever)
ie Just above where the spring goes into the metal body of the back plate, hope its a round rubber cover not a large metal rivet.

Cupie · Guru

My break backing plates have a rectangular (with rounded corners) plug at the bottom.

I have attached a doc on the subject from Al-Ko.

I always adjusted as per the instructions in this publication, just backing off enough to hear a slight 'chush chush' sound of the disks contacting the drum as the wheel was spun.

Then someone told me that the correct back off amount was 13 clicks. Tried that but now prefer the Al-Ko advice.

Brenda and Alan · Guru

PeterInSa wrote:
Re (The adjuster is opposite the handbrake lever)
ie Just above where the spring goes into the metal body of the back plate, hope its a round rubber cover not a large metal rivet.

No peter. Opposite as in the other side of the axle. Assume the axle positioned so the handbrake lever is above the axle, then the adjuster slot is below the axle near the edge of the plate.

Alan

blackstump · Veteran Member

A photo of the whole backing plate would make it easier for someone to point out which hole you should put your thing in ,,,,

Cupie · Guru

blackstump wrote:
A photo of the whole backing plate would make it easier for someone to point out which hole you should put your thing in ,,,,

Unfortunately my van is stored off site ATM, so no can do.

blackstump · Veteran Member

Cupie wrote:
blackstump wrote:
A photo of the whole backing plate would make it easier for someone to point out which hole you should put your thing in ,,,,
Unfortunately my van is stored off site ATM, so no can do.

My post was meant for the op .

PeterInSa · Guru

Re (A photo of the whole backing plate would make it easier for someone to point out which hole you should put your thing in ,,,,)

Will do when next around at her place.

Magnarc · Guru

Cupie wrote:
blackstump wrote:
A photo of the whole backing plate would make it easier for someone to point out which hole you should put your thing in ,,,,
Unfortunately my van is stored off site ATM, so no can do.

A great double entendre in that post Steve! Well done.

PeterInSa · Guru

One slot on the bottom of the backing plate ( never come across this B4) apologies photo is upside down

and the adjustment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waNWLWy7sDY

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Monday 2nd of December 2024 07:44:29 PM

blackstump · Veteran Member

Yes Peter, that long skinny slot with the rounded ends is where you poke your adjusting tool

Triggy · Veteran Member

Before adjustment first make sure the handbrake lever is on its stop position. After initial adjustment of the shoes, I proceed to adjust all wheels evenly. This can be done if you have a breakaway system on your van. Pull the breakaway pin to engage the electric brake this allows the magnets to grab in the hub , now rotate the rim and tyre forward and reverse eg. stop to stop ,this will engage the pads in the drum forward and reverse .Now measure the distance of rotation of the tyre on the ground from stop to stop. I adjust the pads so you have 150mm of rotation of the wheel stop to stop. This I find is about the the best setting . Do this to all the wheels so they are all the same braking. Don't forget to replace the breakaway pin when finished.