replacing brakes on 1 of 4 wheels?
Relatively new 5,400 # Dexter axles and drums on our TT, have less than 2,000 miles. I developed had a grease leak on one wheel and that brake locked up so much it ruined a tire in 350 miles. I...
Forum Discussion
Vintage465 wrote:
I'm going to disagree with previous posts. Electric trailer brakes are very "individual" in operation even thought they all receive the same brake signal from the controller. If one brake is slightly out of adjustment, it will just take longer to start braking compared to the other brakes on the axles. If one is worn less, meaning the new one, it may brake sooner when it get the signal if the other three aren't adjusted up to par. If the other brakes are not worn much, I don't see a reason to replace any more than the one side that gooped up...
Have to disagree.
Electric brakes while not connected physically together (hydraulic or physical mechanical wire) MUST REACT THE SAME WAY AT THE SAME TIME.
You simply cannot have one side lead or lag, they MUST work in UNISON.
Putting a new set of brake shoes on one side WILL result in the OPPOSITE SIDE PULLING YOU TO THAT SIDE (the side of the old shoes) UNTIL THE NEW SIDE BRAKE SHOES GET FULLY BEDDED IN.
Takes time to get the shoes to fully fit your worn drum surface.
For that reason IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND COMMON PRACTICE TO ALWAYS CHANGE BRAKE COMPONENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AXLE.
Can you change just one? SURE, BUT you will have to deal with the brakes not working in unison until enough of the shoes worn down to fully make 100% contact with the drums..
The result will be slightly annoying to down right dangerous, take your pick and take your chances.
I won't do it, not safe to have the trailer suddenly attempt to pull you to the side each time you apply the brakes..
