TT Brake Service

alexey75 wrote:
What kind of grease should I use lubricate the points behind the shoes?

High temperature disc brake grease or high temperature anti seive.

If you have never replaced drum brake shoes this will be a challenge ! If the shoes look good (reasonable thickness) I would just leave them alone.

It is not uncommon and it is much easier to replace the entire brake assembly, backing plate, pre-installed springs and retainers, new magnets, etc. You can buy left and right brake assemblies (lubed) for under $200 on etrailer.com.

I couldn't find a video specific to electric trailer brakes (most just replace the whole assembly), but this video is on drum brakes in general and I am jumping you to the point where they are applying the lube How to Replace Drum Brake Shoes


Why do you think your brake shoes need to be lubed ?

Lynnmor wrote:
Instructions

Video

Let us know how you are doing.

Thank you, this is very helpful. I have ez lube system, just found the video, looks like no disassembling is required :)

etrailer dot com has good videos on everything you need.
Typically do the grease on brakes when you change your pads. Minimal grease is needed, best to look at etrailer as the video will show more than we can with words.
Brake cleaner will clean a lot, but unless you are off-roading then just normal road grime is not a huge issue. Brakes do work on the principal of friction.

If you live in the rust belt then that's a whole other story if driving in salty roads.

Yes, the bearings need way way more attention than the brakes do. Typically brakes just need to be adjusted (if not self-adjusting) and the pads replaced when worn. Nothing else.

Honestly, on mine, I do nothing unless I notice an issue.

theoldwizard1 wrote:

alexey75 wrote:
Is it necessary to open the drums and clean it?
If yes, can I open the drum and spray all parts with brake cleaner?

What is more important is re-packing the bearings !

Simply spraying a whole can of brake cleaner on each will NOT make them "squeaky clean". You would have to disassemble and use a wire brush. There are also a few point behind the shoes that need lubrication and brake cleaner would remove that.

What kind of grease should I use lubricate the points behind the shoes?

I have never serviced any vehicle brakes to just "clean them".. :)

Drum brakes do get some brake dust in them over the years, but will usually wear out before you need to just clean them.

For TT brakes specifically and if they are drum type brakes there will be an adjuster lever on them and in the newer ones, they will auto adjust.

I've had both and the only reason I pulled the drum off was to check the wheel bearings and then check the condition of the brakes and adjust accordingly.

With my new Rockwood, it's supposed to self adjusting brakes, but I plan on pulling the drums on them and looking for myself after a season and a half of towing it.

Just wanna check things out on it and see the bearings and how this so called auto adjusting thing works on it. Figure it's similar to auto drum brakes that auto adjust when you back up or use the brakes in general, in the case of a TT..

Anyway, going to pull them before the camping season and look for myself.

Good luck, Mitch

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
What makes you think you need to clean your TT brakes? Do you clean your TV brakes?
That being said, it always a good idea to inspect brake parts on a used vehicle or trailer. That way you know they are in good shape to travel.

For the traveling "I" do I inspect my brakes and bearing about every 5 to 7 years or so. About 10 years is the limit for the magnets on the trailer I own.

In short, there is no reason to clean brakes unless they are contaminated and that's a whole different issue.

This...Depending on the type, you may need to adjust the brakes periodically.

Do a brake check every time you hook up, also. Once you get out of the site on a straight away, manually activate the trailer brakes (low speed). It should give a good strong jerk and bring the rig to a stop. We also leave the flashers on once the ball is connected, so we can check the trailer lights are connected and operational while finishing up the getting ready to leave.

Instructions

Video

Let us know how you are doing.

alexey75 wrote:
Is it necessary to open the drums and clean it?
If yes, can I open the drum and spray all parts with brake cleaner?

What is more important is re-packing the bearings !

To do it correctly, you need to remove the brake drums and that will give you a chance to inspect the brakes. Dirt is "normal" and I would not spend a lot of time cleaning unless the shoes need to be replaced.

Simply spraying a whole can of brake cleaner on each will NOT make them "squeaky clean". You would have to disassemble and use a wire brush. There are also a few point behind the shoes that need lubrication and brake cleaner would remove that.

What makes you think you need to clean your TT brakes? Do you clean your TV brakes?
That being said, it always a good idea to inspect brake parts on a used vehicle or trailer. That way you know they are in good shape to travel.

For the traveling "I" do I inspect my brakes and bearing about every 5 to 7 years or so. About 10 years is the limit for the magnets on the trailer I own.

In short, there is no reason to clean brakes unless they are contaminated and that's a whole different issue.

YouTube has a number of “how to” TT brake videos. Start there IMO.