Should Electric Brakes be Adjusted or Replaced on a 1996 Starcraft Starstream

Question:

I have a 1996 Starcraft Starstream that I bought used 5 years ago. I recently installed an electronic brake control. I have power to the magnets but the brake-shoes dont push against the drum. I can physicaly move the shoes and there is wear on the them which tells me that they did work at one time. I would like to get the brakes to work. Do you think new brakes and magnets would be a solution? Or maybe an adjustment of the star spindle to adjust the brakes. If you think a whole new brake and magnet setup would cover all my bases, could you tell me which ones I would need? Thanks in advance for all your help.

asked by: Kipp A

Expert Reply:

You could try to adjust the brakes with the star brake adjuster, but it sounds like the brakes have not been used in a long time, so I would recommend to be safe and replace the brakes and magnets. Sometimes when a trailer will sit for a long time and the brakes are not used they can seize up from not being used and not operate properly. I am including a video link that will show you how to inspect your trailer brakes.

The best way to determine the correct parts for your brake assemblies is to either measure the diameter of the brake drum and the width of the pads on the shoes and determine the manufacturer or to use the inner and outer bearing part numbers and wheel bolt pattern to determine the hub on your trailer.

Another way to replace the brakes and magnets is to buy the complete brake assembly. The complete brake assembly will be the new brake shoes and magnets along with all new springs and hardware. To do that I would just need to know the trailers axle capacity (2000, 3500, or 6000 lb) and the brake drum diameter.

If you do the complete brake assembly you might look at the Nev-R-Adjust brakes like the 10 Inch Nev-R-Adjust Electric Brake Assembly, part # AKEBRK-35-SA. These brake assemblies will automatically adjust and do not need to be manually adjusted.

If you will let me know the information from your Starcraft trailer I will be glad to help you find the correct setup.

expert reply by: Jeff D