What Position Should the Shorter Brake Shoe Be in for Installation of Electric Brakes on a Trailer

Question:

Where does the secondary brake shoe go on the backing plate assembly? I refer to the shoe with the shortest amount of lining as the secondary and the shoe with a longer amount of lining as the primary shoe. By looking at your diaghrams the secondary shoe appears on the front side of the assembly. On all auto brakes I have worked on the secondary shoe is installed on the rear. Of course the auto system is hydraulically activated ,not by a electric magnetic system on trailer brakes. I just purchased a used trailer with electric brakes and want to replace the brake shoes. On this trailer on the one side I have dissmantled the secondary shoe is to the rear on the assembly. What position should I install my replacement brakeshoes ? This is a Dexter 5500 axles. Thanks, Sherman.

asked by: Sherman F

Expert Reply:

You are correct, the shorter shoe should be forward on electric brake assemblies like the 12 inch Electric Brake Assembly, # 23-105, that your selected. In my experience, the shorter shoe is always the shoe that is pressed against the drum first, and the leverage from that connection is used the activate the longer shoe. brakes are engineered in this way to provide smooth braking performance.

For your Dexter 5,500 lb axles you should install the shorter shoes forward. All of our brake assemblies come labeled right or left so there should be little confusion. Just keep the bow for the electric magnet forward and the brake magnet at the bottom and you cannot go wrong, see installation video link.

expert reply by: Robert G