RE: Dexter axles 95 - 97 warning

[abbear]

 
As I am making my last minute preparations for our impending trip to Canada I heard a noise coming from the door side trailer wheel on my 98 Coleman Westlake.  Pulled the wheel off and discovered the adjuster spring broken and the adjuster dragging on the brake drum.  Major bummer - no rv supply places are open this late.  So - out to the net to dexteraxle.com where I find the following:
 
 Late in 1997, Dexter Axle recognized a reoccuring problem with our adjuster spring and decided that we needed to change the spring manufacturer to solve the problem.  It is most common to find the defective spring in a trailer axle produced between 1995-97 in the 3,000 lb. to 7,200 lb. capacity range, but any adjuster spring that is LIGHT BLUE in color may be suspect.  Dexter s new spring in dark red in color and is a direct replacement for the blue spring.  If a trailer is found to have blue adjuster springs or has failed springs, Dexter would be glad to help a trailer owner correct this problem.  A customer must contact the Dexter Axle Service & Warranty Department and obtain a warranty claim number to authorize repairs or request new adjuster springs.  We are aware that a broken adjuster spring can cause substantial brake repairs, but to date we have worked to resolve every claim submitted to us.  You should retain any failed components as we will request their return to justify the claim.  Please feel free to contact us with any additional questions or concerns via email at info@dexteraxle.com or by phone at (574)295-7888. Click Here for Dexter Axle Warranty Information
 
 
 So what color is the spring? Yep - light blue.  If I can get the parts we leave Friday.  Dexter says $6.98 for spring and adjuster.  Times two because I m definitely replacing the other side as well.  By the way, we have had our trailer just over a year and I have been working up to this for a while.  Glad I did!
 
 Anyway, if you have a trailer that may have one of these springs as indicated above be aware that there is a problem.
 

[Ab Diver]

 abbear
Way to go, Allen-- Thanks for a collective heads-up. I read your message last night, and knew I was gunna go visit my local RV repair guy today, do I filed that info away. Sure  nuff, all the rebuild kits have light blue shoe-holding springs, but red adjuster springs. All the new *complete 10"  brake assemblies* (everything minus the brake drum) also had the red adjuster springs.  
 
 It just so happens I replaced the complete brake assemblies and had my drums turned earlier this year (previous owner had a time-based brake controller [: (]... knew I d only get a year s life from what was left of the brakes after his controller fried them [:@] ), so I m covered. But if I hadn t, I d be installing the brake spring rebuild kit this weekend thanks to your warning.
 
 Have a great trip, Buddy!