I think it's time to replace the brakes. When we do our pull test the brakes engage but there appears to be a delay before they fully engage. Figured it would be a good time to have the bearing repacked at the same time. Here's the quote from the dealer if brakes need to be replaced: Bearings repacked $100 each axle x2, $100 each brake assembly x 4, $100-$200 for labor + parts. Final quote $800-$900 for the job. Seems awfully high to me. Is this something DH and I can do ourselves? Looked at E trailer and their prices... has anyone found better prices?Any advise if we attempt to do it ourselves?

I stopped doing brake jobs on our electric brake systems on our 5ver. I just buy a whole new assembly for $50-60 each. Then it's 5 small nuts to take off, slide out the old brake and slide on the new. Replace the nuts. You'll have to splice two wires on each brake. Use some weatherproof wiring nuts for that:AmazonBrakesFind a local dealer and just take one of the old brake assemblies down to them to get the right part if you aren't certain what you need. As for the bearings, once you have the wheel off it's a ten minute job (not counting the brakes) There are a lot of videos on YouTube showing you exactly what to to. Costs: one tub of high pressure axle grease--about $5. Amazon 2Youtube eTrailerTotal $300 or less and an afternoon of time.

I just replaced the brakes plus all the bearings/races and repacked myself. Got the brake assemblies (backing plate with all of the parts already mounted). Just a matter of removing wheel, hub, 5 bolts holding backing plate and 2 actuator wires. Much easier than replacing the brake shoes, springs, etc. Knocking the races out and carefully putting the new ones in was the most time consuming. Keeping everything clean while repacking bearings was another challenge. Averaged about 4 hours a wheel.Technically you should have a torque wrench for the backing plate bolts and lug nuts.Check ebay for bearings/races and brake assemblies in original packaging.

Pull the tire, pull the drum and physically check the brake shoes first. MOST LIKELY they only need adjusting and the shoes are fine. As the shoes wear, they must be adjusted back up so they can reach the drums when the brakes are applied. It is done with a screw driver through the slotted hole in the bottom of the back plate. Pull the drum and see what you are doing, and which way to turn the little star wheel inside to tighten.

btd35 wrote:Pull the tire, pull the drum and physically check the brake shoes first. MOST LIKELY they only need adjusting and the shoes are fine. As the shoes wear, they must be adjusted back up so they can reach the drums when the brakes are applied. It is done with a screw driver through the slotted hole in the bottom of the back plate. Pull the drum and see what you are doing, and which way to turn the little star wheel inside to tighten.After you to pull the drum, look at the pucks to see how much wear has occurred. The pucks when new have dimples much like a golf ball. If they are badly worn they will have a smooth face. If that's the case, might just as well get new brake assembly with backing plate as the cost of new pucks is more than half the cost of a new assembly. If pucks are ok, next check to see if the lining is coming loose as that is quite common. Even if all new assemblies are needed the cost is about $250as with new have seals.

Replacing my own Brakes... how difficult? | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

btd35
Explorer
Jul 27, 2013
Pull the tire, pull the drum and physically check the brake shoes first. MOST LIKELY they only need adjusting and the shoes are fine. As the shoes wear, they must be adjusted back up so they can reach the drums when the brakes are applied. It is done with a screw driver through the slotted hole in the bottom of the back plate. Pull the drum and see what you are doing, and which way to turn the little star wheel inside to tighten.
broark01
Explorer II
Jul 27, 2013
I just replaced the brakes plus all the bearings/races and repacked myself. Got the brake assemblies (backing plate with all of the parts already mounted). Just a matter of removing wheel, hub, 5 bolts holding backing plate and 2 actuator wires. Much easier than replacing the brake shoes, springs, etc. Knocking the races out and carefully putting the new ones in was the most time consuming. Keeping everything clean while repacking bearings was another challenge. Averaged about 4 hours a wheel.

Technically you should have a torque wrench for the backing plate bolts and lug nuts.

Check ebay for bearings/races and brake assemblies in original packaging.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Jul 27, 2013
I stopped doing brake jobs on our electric brake systems on our 5ver. I just buy a whole new assembly for $50-60 each. Then it's 5 small nuts to take off, slide out the old brake and slide on the new. Replace the nuts. You'll have to splice two wires on each brake. Use some weatherproof wiring nuts for that:

Amazon

Brakes

Find a local dealer and just take one of the old brake assemblies down to them to get the right part if you aren't certain what you need.

As for the bearings, once you have the wheel off it's a ten minute job (not counting the brakes) There are a lot of videos on YouTube showing you exactly what to to. Costs: one tub of high pressure axle grease--about $5.

Amazon 2

Youtube eTrailer

Total $300 or less and an afternoon of time.
mustangglp
Explorer
Jul 27, 2013
They may just need adjusting?

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Replacing my own Brakes... how difficult?

24 Replies

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