Forum Discussion

drillagent's avatar
drillagent
Explorer
Mar 11, 2015

Quick Brake Fix

I need to fix broken brake springs on both drums on one side of my 5er. I don't have time to get the trailer to the Auto Craft shop so I'm going to have to do it in the storage lot. My question is, can I remove the drum, fix the brake, and replace the drum without having to replace the grease seal? Thanks for your input.
  • If the seal is OK now, there is about a 90% chance that it will be fine. Just be careful pulling the drum off and don't mess around with the inner bearing. I pull the drums off regularly and rarely have an issue with a seal.

    Brian
  • drillagent wrote:
    I need to fix broken brake springs on both drums on one side of my 5er. I don't have time to get the trailer to the Auto Craft shop so I'm going to have to do it in the storage lot. My question is, can I remove the drum, fix the brake, and replace the drum without having to replace the grease seal? Thanks for your input.


    How do you know you have broken springs? No clicking when turning the star wheels???? Does the trailer have a history of breaking springs?

    Chris
  • Me Again wrote:
    drillagent wrote:
    I need to fix broken brake springs on both drums on one side of my 5er. I don't have time to get the trailer to the Auto Craft shop so I'm going to have to do it in the storage lot. My question is, can I remove the drum, fix the brake, and replace the drum without having to replace the grease seal? Thanks for your input.


    How do you know you have broken springs? No clicking when turning the star wheels???? Does the trailer have a history of breaking springs?

    Chris


    A couple months ago I crawled under the trailer to find out what kind of axles I have. While under there, I noticed wires hanging out of the brakes on both the curb side brakes. Upon further inspection, I realized they were broken springs. How or why, I have no idea. I bought the trailer used, so I don't know if it has a history of breaking springs. Honestly, I don't even know how long they've been broken. I do know that I've had the brake controller maxed out since I bought it.
  • Yes you can do all that without replacing the seal. Done it many times.
  • I would be worried about more damage done by the broken springs--scored drums and shoes. You might not be able to get by with just the springs.