Surge brakes question.
 

I am installing new brake pads on my trailer and want to know how how to set the brakes. Do you want them slightly draging or no draging at all? If no dragging at all how many clicks from draging should it be set? Thanks for the responses.

Craig

Re: Surge brakes question.
 

Are you sure you don't mean shoes? Pads are disk. I am not familur with surge shoes and I am sure there are more knowledgeable people will chime in. The automotive ones I messed with years ago you could set them up to just slightly drag when shoes were new. When in doubt go looser though.

Re: Surge brakes question.
 

Shoes is the correct terminology. The brakes are drum style. Someone must know the proper way to set these up.

Craig

Re: Surge brakes question.
 

you want to set them up very similal to automotive with very slight drag.

good luck

Re: Surge brakes question.
 

Ditto.....

Some drums usually have a sticker on the inside that says to tighten until you can't turn the wheel anymore, then back off 10 clicks....

I adjust them until I hear the first sound of rubbing and leave them there.....

Re: Surge brakes question.
 

Re-adjust after the 1st trip. They will arc themselves in.

Re: Surge brakes question.
 

I used to tighten adjuster till it just about locked up. Then slowly start to loosen, a click or two at a time till you could again turn the drum by hand, with some light drag still felt. If you do this, you will ensure that you have centered the shoe assy with the drum, getting proper drag. If you just tighten till you feel, or hear drag, you have really no idea if the shoes are off center, and your getting a false drag, so to speak, and the first time you use the brakes, they will re-center, and actually have been adjusted too loose. Hope this made sense as worded. :D

Re: Surge brakes question.
 

I tried the first hint of drag rule and it didnt work as well as they should. then i read the tag on the axle that says to tighten till you cant turn it, then back of 10. that method worked, and i havent had any problems with them getting hot. they did drag more than i thought they would but they work well.