Trailer Brakes and how to change them...easy

[SledsWest]

Took the tires off the used 19' enclosed haulmark trailer I just bought to inspect the brake shoes and drums. The shoes were very cracked and worn out so I decided to replace them. I bought the whole new brake assembly, $50/tire, and that made it very easy. I just removed the bearing nut (no cotter pin) and bearings, took off the four bolts on the back side of the brake assembly and it all comes off. Easy peasy! Then re-install the same as the tear out. The electric lines can just be cut and then spliced back to the new brake assembly. Doesn't matter which wire connects to which....just connect them. I'll get some pics on here to help the visual learners tomorrow when I do the other side.

Haulmark dealership wanted over $500 to do all 4 wheels, I did it myself in about 90 mins for $200.

The new brake assembly:

Take off the dust cap (careful not to puncture this, but get the tip of the screwdriver wedged in there then pry the cap off):

Remove retaining clip:

Remove bearing nut (should be finger tight):

Remove bearings:

Remove drum (any grease on the back side or in the old brake assembly as in this picture is indicative of a bad bearing seal and must be replaced):

Remove four bolts (11/16 wrench or socket) on back side of hub:

Cut both wires (these are the electric brake wires).

Install new brake assembly:

Connect both wires for electric brakes:

Check to make sure the wiring worked (should be magnetized when trailer brakes are manually activated):

 

[Nolimits]

We are going to convert trailer we just bought from surge brakes to electric. Glad to hear this shouldn't be to difficult. Were did you get parts?

Thanks!

 

[SledsWest]

We are going to convert trailer we just bought from surge brakes to electric. Glad to hear this shouldn't be to difficult. Were did you get parts?

Thanks!

I bought my brake assemblies at the local Haulmark Trailer dealership. Just do a google search for haulmark trailers in your city.

 

[Rotax-Guy]

Nice write-up, the only thing I would do is turn the drum and surface the contact area for the magnet. Oh ya pack the bearings and install new seals!

 

[skibreeze]

And clean off all the old crap on the spindle.

 

[SledsWest]

I will, I didn't want to put new grease in there until I could get the bearing seals. I wasn't anticipating having to replace those and I couldn't find a trailer place open at the time.

 

[I'LL WIN]

I'd also reccomend some heet shrink tubing on the wire connections or better yet just get the butt connectors with the built in heet shrink to keep the connection sealed up. I used to carry an old extra backing plate with brakes and drum with bearings with me too. Sure beets leaving the trailer behind to get parts on a trip. Now with the tripple axle worst case scinario I have to run with one less tire on the ground.