Forum Discussion

cannesdo's avatar
cannesdo
Explorer
May 07, 2014

Trailer brakes...

Is there any way to know how much pad is left without taking the wheel off?

5 Replies

  • Not sure of your exact conditions but I have an 18k tri-axle horse trailer with 100,000 miles on it. Brakes on inspection last year showed about 50%. Brake wear on trailers is simply something I don't worry about. They do get check for mechanical condition every year during bearing greasing.
  • usmohls2@yahoo.com wrote:
    You can often look thru the slot in the wheel with a bright light to view the pads.
    While this will work for disk brakes, the drum needs to be removed to check the linings of drum brakes
  • You can often look thru the slot in the wheel with a bright light to view the pads.
  • If its been more than a year since you looked, its probably a good idea to pull them and look and you can grease the bearings at the same time. Also just because one looks good does not mean that its not necessary to pull and look at them all as one could be worn more due to drag or sometimes the lining will come loose.