How Tight Should the Nuts be When Attaching a Trailer Brake Assembly to a Trailer

Question

Question:

I have a Dexter 3500lbs Torque Flex Axle with 10 brakes and 13 5 on 41/2 wheels. What is the torque recomendation for the backing plates and lug nuts? Thanks

asked by: Kevin

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Expert Reply:

When installing brake assemblies like the Electric Brake Assembly, # 23-27, that you have referenced, there is no specific torque rating when tightening the nuts on the backing plate. Basically you will want them to be as tight as you can get them using the appropriate wrench. You will not need to use a breaker bar for extra torque when tightening the nuts. Take a look at the two videos linked below. Our installer does not mention a specific torque rating, but uses a wrench and tightens the nuts in a criss-cross pattern to get the assembly tightened evenly.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Answer 1

If the brake magnet is worn to the point that the windings are visible then you know it's time to replace the magnet. However, magnets can also fail without the visible signs of wear. Check out the FAQ article I attached on testing brake magnets…

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Answer 2

Self-adjusting brakes like the etrailer.com Electric Brake Kit #AKEBRK-35-SA that you recently installed do require an initial calibration, which it sounds like you have already done. From there the brakes will continue to set themselves to the…

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Answer 3

The bolt hole pattern for the brake assembly #AKEBRK-35L is 2-7/8 by 2-7/8 inches. I've linked a diagram of the flange the brake will install on with the same pattern. The shipping weight is 9 pounds. This is the left hand brake, if you also need…

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Answer 4

Electric brakes have 2 wires located at the back. One is for power and the other is for ground (it doesn't matter which is used for which function). The ground wires should be connected to the trailer frame. The only other place that would carry…

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Answer 5

A light drag on the drums from the brake magnets is normal, but if there's enough movement in the hub/drum that you can wiggle it that would indicate it's not quite tight enough. The nut is normally ran down until there is no side to side…

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Answer 6

The magnet clips #BP19005 should not be making contact with the drum while the brakes engage, so I do not think that is the problem. What I think is going on is it's just not seating all the way. These can get a little squished or deformed…

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Answer 7

You would know to replace brake shoes the same way you would know with a vehicle. If performance is suffering and adjusting the brakes does not help and there are no other issues causing the poor performance it is probably time to change the brake…

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Answer 8

You said you checked the brake magnets. When inspecting them did you notice if the windings inside the magnets are showing? If so this is most likely the reason that the short is showing up on the controller when the vehicle is moving. This would…

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Answer 9

Normally we use channel locks for spindle nuts. But the Nev-R-Lube hubs are a different animal. You will need a 1-7/16 inch 6 or 12 point socket for a Nev-R-Lube nut #6-183. When you are ready to reinstall it you will need a torque wrench capable of…

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Answer 10

When pulling the hubs off of a trailer and repacking the bearings you will inevitably unseat your brake shoes. Using the Brake Adjustment Spoon for Drum Brakes part #W80630 will allow you to make a slight adjustment to the brakes to tighten them up a…

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Answer 11

Because it is only for a 2022 Hyundai Palisade that has the factory tow package, you do not need to route any wires whatsoever to add the Curt 7-way that fits, which is the following part number: - Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness for Factory…

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Answer 12

Since the trailer is working just fine with your buddy's pickup, we know that the problem is isolated to your 2007 Dodge Ram 2500. What it sounds like to me is that you have a bad ground or some corrosion in the 7-Way connector on your pickup.…

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