Adjusting trailer brakes on sbs trailer

macattack101 · 06 May 2013, 19:48

Was feeling very smug as I renewed the brakes, brake cables and bearings on my sbs 1300 single axle trailer. The previous owner of the trailer had not really used the trailer much and it was not set up right as the balance bar was all on one side and the brakes kept jamming.
But went out for a test spin and its not right as I was getting a thump up the back when I braked and when I was putting the trailer down the drive the brakes did not hold it after the normal couple of feet of backwards travel.
My cable is tight when the handbrake is on but is very slack when handbrake down.
Can someone advise please as I am getting blinded with frustration!
Is my damper gone?
Should the brake cable be so loose and as it is dies this explain why the brakes are not working?
When adjusting at the drum do I adjust with the brake cable disconnected and tighten until the brakes drag and undo slightly. This I didn't do and I suspect this may be my problem.
Cheers

landlord · 06 May 2013, 20:13

Is my damper gone? Possibly not, did you take the coupling to pieces

Should the brake cable be so loose no

and as it is does this explain why the brakes are not working? possibly

When adjusting at the drum do I adjust with the brake cable disconnected yes or slack and tighten at the drum until the brakes drag and undo slightly yes

This I didn't do and I suspect this may be my problem. yes, sounds like it

macattack101 · 06 May 2013, 21:06

Landlord thanks for the help, much appreciated. I didn't touch the coupling but I noticed that the damper was compressed when I stopped on a flat road. I thought it would be strong enough to push out once the trailer had stopped. Is there a test I can do for the damper or do I just re adjust and try it on a tow?

Nos4r2 · 06 May 2013, 21:12

Have a look under the hitch. It'll be very oily if the damper has gone. The cable in the pic is way too slack.

Pull the hitch out with a car before you adjust anything. I stick a chock in front of a tyre and move/roll forward til the trailer wheels hit it.

landlord · 06 May 2013, 21:18

When the trailer is disconnected from your vehicle does the coupling expand again.

I would re-adjust the brakes, make sure they are not dragging, adjust the main brake bar and road test again.

If damper has gone there is usually a knocking / banging noise on acceleration / braking

macattack101 · 06 May 2013, 21:34

I will have another go tomorrow guys and will keep you posted. Cheers

macattack101 · 10 May 2013, 08:39

Re adjusted brakes at the hub but very confused as the adjuster is up to tighten on the rhs and down on the lhs. Marked it with arrows for future. Cable is now adjusted and brakes actually work now. First trip of the season later today on the Clyde so we will get a good tow over to Largs.

Thanks for all your advice.
Cheers