Electric Trailer Brake Assembly

krsmitty · 02-01-2015, 08:00 PM

Believe it is about time for new brakes on my 5 yr old 5er. I have read on one the RV forums about how it was easier and cheaper to just replace the whole brake assembly. Unbolt the old assembly and bolt in the new. The new assembly includes new brake shoes, magnets, hardware etc.

Has anyone done this? As easy as it sounds?

Thanks,

Ustabslim · 02-01-2015, 08:42 PM

Easy. It will take about 1/2 day more or less depending on your ability and...age.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MdqDqFkfU9w

LiftedAWDAstro · 02-02-2015, 12:36 PM

Why do you think you need to just change them? I would pull them apart and inspect the shoe thickness. Might be time...might not. They may need a good cleaning. The shoes are very easy to replace by themselves.

krsmitty · 02-02-2015, 12:46 PM

True...just doing some research...just in case.

Last time I had the brakes checked, the dealer says that my magnets where losing strength(not sure of correct terminology) They were not drawing as much amps or drawing to many amps (can't remember which). They still met the minimum requirements, but would eventually need replacing. Was considering the idea of fixing two things at once!

etex211 · 02-02-2015, 01:12 PM

The drum will eventually wear down the face of the magnet and cause problems. This usually happens to my brakes before the shoes wear out. Replacing the entire brake assembly is usually the simplest and cheapest solution. If you buy them from the right place, they're not the expensive.

After the drum is removed, replacing the brake assembly is easy. It's four bolts and two wires. This is also a good time to pack the bearings and replace the seals.

If you decide to order the brake assemblies, there are now some self-adjusting models available.

fsrmike · 02-02-2015, 04:52 PM

When we had our Jayflight TT I changed out the 10" brake assembly manual adjust to 10" self adjusting. $50.00 each including shipping & tax purchased at ETrailer. It took about a half a day including repacking the wheel bearings. I would also replace the wheel bearing seals while you are at it.

krsmitty · 02-09-2015, 08:36 AM

Took off one of the drums Saturday and found several things...The brake shoes were ok, the bearings were almost dry and the D washer was warped in the center. I am assuming the people who worked on it last must have really tightened it down. They were suppose to have re-packed the bearings, but does not look like they did a very good job.

Several years back had the dealer look at the brakes. The Tech says that the magnet(s) was not working as well as they should on one or more of the wheels. They met minimum requirements, but would soon need replacing. I have had to crank up my brake controller to the max to get ok braking from the 5er. So, I am assuming they were right.

Even though the brakes were ok, decided to go ahead and replace all four wheel assemblies. To replace the magnets and for piece of mind if anything else. Have to re-pack all the bearings anyway, so figured it is a good time to do it. RV is 5 years old...should be good for another 5.

Assemblies were $55 a piece with free shipping from etrailer.com. Should be here Wed or Thurs. I know what I will be doing this weekend.

Thanks for everyone's replies.

krsmitty · 02-10-2015, 06:54 AM

If I understand correctly you need to do an initial adjusting of the brake shoes after installing the new assembly. Adjust until the shoes just start rubbing the drum?

fsrmike · 02-10-2015, 09:10 PM

Krsmitty, yes install the assembly adjust once and you should be ready to roll.

RedHorse1 · 02-10-2015, 09:45 PM

How many miles should be expected from a TT brake set? Old days, drums, I'd expect ,maybe 30k. Disk, maybe 50k. Any opinions?

krsmitty · 02-12-2015, 06:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

How many miles should be expected from a TT brake set? Old days, drums, I'd expect ,maybe 30k. Disk, maybe 50k. Any opinions?

My 5er is 5 years old...miles??? The brakes were still at least 50% or better.

krsmitty · 02-16-2015, 05:21 PM

Got the new wheel assemblies installed this past weekend. Tried to get them all on Saturday, but ran out of grease after the 3rd wheel. Called it a day and off to wally world for some more grease. Back on Sunday to do the last wheel. Went to adjust them and when I noticed my break away switch was not working.

Back out This coming weekend to do some more work it looks like. Going to also verify I am getting good voltage at each wheel.

A retired gentleman who used to own a RV dealership stopped by and gave me some pointers and recommendations.
1. Only use National seals. They are suppose to be the best.
2. At each wheel take a piece of wire and connect one side of the magnet and the other end of the wire to a good ground on the frame. That way, each wheel has its own good ground.

There were many others, but two of the top of my head.

**norty1** · 03-31-2019, 04:33 PM

Does anyone know the part # for a 16 inch brake assembly on a 6k Dexter axle? We had one on the right side come apart yesterday. Thanks TSPS for letting me know before major damages. We were able to limp into our Cg without any damage minus a hot tire and hub.
I’m wanting to get one at a local parts shop, don’t have time to have one shipped. I’ll be hitting the phones in the morning, nothing much open in Calhoun Falls, SC on a Sunday.

fsrmike · 03-31-2019, 06:25 PM

You should be able to check for the part# on etrailer or on the dexter site.

Ustabslim · 03-31-2019, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fsrmike

You should be able to check for the part# on etrailer or on the dexter site.

Tractor Supply

Mopar_Earl · 04-01-2019, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

Does anyone know the part # for a 16 inch brake assembly on a 6k Dexter axle? We had one on the right side come apart yesterday. Thanks TSPS for letting me know before major damages. We were able to limp into our Cg without any damage minus a hot tire and hub.
I’m wanting to get one at a local parts shop, don’t have time to have one shipped. I’ll be hitting the phones in the morning, nothing much open in Calhoun Falls, SC on a Sunday.

Would be a 12" brake assembly. You need to know if you have self adjusting brakes or not to get the same. Should replace in pairs (axle) for equal braking performance unless they are fairly new. Most RV dealers will stock brake assemblies. Can buy online much cheaper.

Earl

Nature Ist · 04-01-2019, 10:19 AM

I did my 12" drums by the piece the first time, and the second time I replaced the entire assembly and the drums. I put a lot of miles on our Jayco trailer. Having done it both ways I would absolutely replace the entire assembly. It is less expensive! I got OEM Dexter parts online at a very good price. I also used the upgraded wheel seals and new bearings the same time. I did the major maintenance at about 5 year intervals. I did not have the self-adjusting brakes, so I kept them adjusted manually. I think the manual adjustment is good because it puts you up close and personal so you can do a visual inspection and check for grease seal leakage or other obvious issues.

**norty1** · 04-01-2019, 01:44 PM

I found the brake assembly and also a new hub All done now and back to camping. We still have 3 more days.

Before and after. I replaced the hub also because it was badly scored $ 165.00 for both. The hub comes with new bearings, seals and packed and installed.

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