Trailer brake is stuck

[4570Man]

I’d recommend changing the whole thing. That size brake drums aren’t very expensive. My experience is once the magnet drag area is worn not smooth that they don’t work worth a crap. The magnet has to stick firmly to the drum to function and the ridges in the drum drastically reduce its sticking strength.

 

[4570Man]

Got the brake apart!
TGMT, you were right.

View attachment 1800908


I thought that if it was friction material that since the first thing I did was reverse, that rolling the wheel forward might un-stick it.
You can see my strap-wrap and the come-a-long.
It worked (easily).
View attachment 1800911

the friction material is still 4.5mm thick.
I'm thinking this 1998 trailer has had an easy life.

View attachment 1800929
Here's the magnet shoe.
First time I've worked on a trailer brake - but this looks like it has a long lifetime remaining.

So I have to order some brake shoes.
How can I figure out what size brake this is?

Take some measurements to verify but a readily available 6 lug brake kit should get you fixed up.

 

[Sodo]

Thanks PMS, I think it's 12x2. I ordered brake shoes and wheel seals for two wheels. Not so bad.....$75

These hubs look like they are barely used (for a 1998 trailer). There's no lip at all. If it wasn't for that friction material coming loose there's nothing to do inside this brake. I think the best time spent would be to check status of the other 3 brakes.

And 4 more on my other trailer.

 

[TMGT]

If yours is anything like mine the other brake assemblies aren't far behind, I found it cheaper to replace the whole brake assemblies on 7k and lighter axles and just clean up the drums if still in spec.

 

[Sodo]

What do you mean by "far behind"? I see them as "un-used". There is no drum cleanup, there is no wear at all not even a fingernail.

Except for "time".

I don't know if there's any way to know if another shoe is about to shed its (new condition but 26 years old) friction material. Replacing all four would be prudent I suppose, but my other trailer likely needs my attention (more) because it goes on the freeway. I never use this dump trailer on the freeway.

 

[ArlyA]

Rusty is kinda the same thing as wore out.

 

[TMGT]

What do you mean by "far behind"? I see them as "un-used". There is no drum cleanup, there is no wear at all not even a fingernail.

Except for "time".

I don't know if there's any way to know if another shoe is about to shed its (new condition but 26 years old) friction material. Replacing all four would be prudent I suppose, but my other trailer likely needs my attention (more) because it goes on the freeway. I never use this dump trailer on the freeway.

The adhesive that holds the linings onto the shoes will fail when they get old. The brake assemblies are just the complete backing assemblies.
The drum/hubs are probably fine as long as they are in spec and not major grooving on the braking surface or magnet surface.

 

[dstig1]

Well it's over 25 years old which is like 75 in car years (jk)... I'd replace and go over everything too. Reset the clock.

 

[Sodo]

Extra time & energy & $$ go to more important projects.
My flatbed trailer has two brakes unable to skid their tires.

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New shoes and a new seal.
Bearings were absolutely perfect.

I changed the seal just because it had a tiny 'flat' on the sealing ridge.
The adjuster screw was real nice too, but stuck solid.
I freed up the adjuster and put anti-seize on the threads and inside its sleeve.

OK so on to adjusting these brakes.
Is it same as a vehicle?
I'm thinking that I tighten the adjuster good and tight, then back off until the drum spins free.

How free? Should it have some friction with the new shoes?

 

[airbiscuit]

Nice, but after all that work, why not spray paint the internals?