Axle Bearing Service - Dos and Dont's???
Trailer: 2011 Keystone 25RS GVWR: 7500# Axles, bearings, brakes, etc. have never been serviced. (the way I purchased from original owner) Mileage: Approx. 10,000 Considering servicing my own ...
Forum Discussion
If you've done bearings on a boat trailer, they work the same way on a TT. Bearings come out, replace the seals, grease, install and adjust. If you look under the trailer there should be a sticker on the axle tube that identifies the make and model of the axle, chances are it's either Lippert or Dexter. The load rating of the axle generally determines brake and bearing size.
If the bearings aren't scored, pitted, or otherwise damaged, I wouldn't replace them. Use a hi quality grease and you'll be fine.
Brakes operate like typical drum brake assemblies. If the ones on the TT now aren't self-adjusting, I highly recommend replacing them with the Dexter self-adjusting assemblies. You'll be able to eyeball both the shoes and magnets and see if they worn to the point of replacing. If you decide to replace the shoes, generally you buy whole assemblies that come pre-assembled with shoes, springs and magnets. Just clip the brake wires behind the backing plate and remove the 5 bolts holding in the brake assembly and remove the whole works.
Regarding the drums, there are very few places that resurface drums anymore. With electric brakes, the magnet rides on the inside face of the drum, and the magnets will score the face just like the shoes do to the inside circumference. Turning the drums meaning turning both the show surface and the magnet surface. The few old-school shops that still turn drums wouldn't do a trailer drum because they can't turn the magnet surface. If there surface is not badly scored or grooved, just re-use the drums. If they need replacing, then just get new ones.
A good source for trailer parts is e-Trailer. last time I did brakes and bearings I got the brake assemblies, new drums, bearings and seals for under $500, and this was on a 10k GVWR TT with two 6k axles.
If the bearings aren't scored, pitted, or otherwise damaged, I wouldn't replace them. Use a hi quality grease and you'll be fine.
Brakes operate like typical drum brake assemblies. If the ones on the TT now aren't self-adjusting, I highly recommend replacing them with the Dexter self-adjusting assemblies. You'll be able to eyeball both the shoes and magnets and see if they worn to the point of replacing. If you decide to replace the shoes, generally you buy whole assemblies that come pre-assembled with shoes, springs and magnets. Just clip the brake wires behind the backing plate and remove the 5 bolts holding in the brake assembly and remove the whole works.
Regarding the drums, there are very few places that resurface drums anymore. With electric brakes, the magnet rides on the inside face of the drum, and the magnets will score the face just like the shoes do to the inside circumference. Turning the drums meaning turning both the show surface and the magnet surface. The few old-school shops that still turn drums wouldn't do a trailer drum because they can't turn the magnet surface. If there surface is not badly scored or grooved, just re-use the drums. If they need replacing, then just get new ones.
A good source for trailer parts is e-Trailer. last time I did brakes and bearings I got the brake assemblies, new drums, bearings and seals for under $500, and this was on a 10k GVWR TT with two 6k axles.
