Self-Adjusting Brakes?

Originally posted by bhamster Originally posted by kymooses I had noticed them braking better on the way home from our last trip This seems promising, but how do you actually know that they're self-adjusting? Is it written somewhere? Have you taken it apart and seen something different inside? If so, can you share this with us so we can determine if our's are also self-adjusting?

Originally posted by Camper Bob Surprise! Surprise!  I normally do not shop at Camping World as there prices are out of my world.  However, in checking on a price to repack the wheel bearings, they quoted $139.99 which includes adjusting the brakes.  The two local dealers I checked with both wanted between $225-$250.  Well shut my mouth, guess I will have to shop at Camping World also.  Safe Travels.

Unless you are full timing, should be many years before you need to repack wheel bearings. Normal interval for a car or truck with rear wheel drive to repack front is 25K miles. In addition, my 171 has the zerk fittings on the hubs that should extend the interval even longer, possibly "forever" in my usage level. Adjusting brakes are different for electric vs hydraulic.

Hydraulic brakes (in the old days) needed adjusting to reduce the pedal travel due to limited stroke on the master cylinder. Electric brake solanoids do not have this "low pedal" issue. If your brakes are working and your wheels are turning, I would humbly suggest they be left alone.

bhamster, sorry you had that problem with your bearings, I would suspect they were not properly packed to begin with. How are trailer spindle bearings any different from front wheel spindle bearings on a car or truck that has rear wheel drive? How did my repack interval work so well for so many years on so many vehicles?

Understand the magnetic action on the brake drums, but that falls under the broad category of electromagnetic solenoid rather than hydraulic. I know the most common solenoids are linear solenoids, but there are other types also.

My caveat was "if your brakes are working". Should the magnet reach end of arc, they would no longer need working and thus according to my line of thinking need attention. At any time a hub is pulled bearings should be repacked and inspected.

Many people who have boat trailers experience a much shorter repack interval recommendation. This is due to wet launching of boats that immerse warm hubs into cold water causing a rapid cooling and contraction of contents which can draw water into the hubs -- not good.

Unless you drag your pod through high water (not impossible with current weather patterns), pod hubs don't need the same repack interval as boat trailer hubs.

Our 177 is a 2011 that we bought at the end of 2010 season. Last year was it's first full season on the road and we clocked quite a few miles and never had a problem.

I called our dealer in Colorado and asked what they recommended for service and at what intervals. Withouth hesitation the first thing mentioned was an axle/wheel bearing inspection.

We thought it over and for $168 it seemed worth the peace of mind. I went ahead and bought a second set of seals and hubs, just in case I would break down on the road. Getting help with an axle is one thing but finding a dealer on the road who has your exact bearings/hubs is another question.

'Slogger