16
What to Check And How To Check
Brakes
Your trailer is equipped with one of several brake type
options.
Complete service and repair information for each
available type brake is found in the Axle Break Service
Manual that is furnished with your trailer,
NOTE:
It is important to strictly adhere to the axle break
instructions for brake service and repair. In this way, you
are protecting the validity of all applicable warranties
.
Burnishing the Brakes
Brakes on a new trailer may tend to “grab” or pulsate. This
is normal. To correct the situation, pull the trailer with the
trailer brake control slightly engaged a short distance
(about 1000 ft or until trailer does not grab or pull to one
side anymore). This action smooths down the brake
bands
.
NOTE: Do not lock up the wheels.
Brake Adjustment
Brakes should be adjusted (1) after the first 200 miles
of operation after the brake shoes and drums have
“seated”, (2) at 3000 mile intervals and (3) as use and
performance require. The brakes should be adjusted in
the following manner:
1. Jack up trailer and secure on adequate capacity
jack stands. Check that wheel and drum rotate
freely.
2. Remove adjusting hole cover from adjusting slot on
bottom of brake backing plate.
3. With screwdriver or standard adjusting tool, rotate
the starwheel of the adjuster assembly to expand
the brake shoes. Adjust the brake shoes out until
the pressure of the linings against the drum makes
the wheel very difficult to turn.
NOTE: With drop spindle axles, a modified adjusting
tool with about an 80 degree angle should be used.
4. Then rotate starwheel in opposite direction until
wheel turns freely with slight lining drag.
5. Replace the adjusting hole cover and lower wheel
to ground.
6. Repeat above procedure on all brakes.
CAUTION: Never crawl under your trailer
unless it is resting on properly placed jack
stands.
Do not lift or place supports on any part of the suspen
-
sion system.
Brake Cleaning & Inspection
Your trailer brakes must be inspected and serviced at
yearly intervals or more often as use and performance
require. Magnets and shoes must be changed when
they become worn or scored thereby preventing inade
-
quate vehicle braking.
Clean the backing plate, magnet arm, magnet and
brake shoes. Make certain that all the parts removed
are replaced in the same brake and drum assembly.
Inspect the magnet arm for any loose or worn parts.
Check shoe return springs, hold down springs and
adjuster springs for stretch or deformation and replace
if required.
CAUTION: Asbestos Dust Hazard. Since
some brake shoe friction materials contain
asbestos, certain precautions need to be
taken when servicing brakes:
1. Avoid creating or breathing dust.
2. Avoid machining, filing or grinding the brake
linings.
3. Do not use compressed air or dry brushing for
cleaning. (Dust can be removed with a damp
brush).
Reporting Safety Defects
If you believe that your trailer has a defect which could cause
a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immedi
-
ately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administra
-
tion (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Landa.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investi
-
gation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of
trailers, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems
between you, your dealer or Landa.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 (or 202-366-4000 in
Washington, DC area) (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or write to:
NHTSA
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
West building
Washington, DC 20590
http://www.safercar.gov
http://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-spmextnljsp/email_nhtsa.jsp
You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle
safety from the Hotline
Landa ECOS 7000 Operator’s Manual 9.801-316.0 - E
