time to replace brakes?

[Timeking]

These are Dexter self-adjust that I have dragged 15,500 miles. At zero miles (i.e., new) the pads are 0.18 inch (9/32) and after 15,500 they are 0.08 inch (1/8). So I am figuring that the pads are losing 0.01 inch every 1550 miles. If you are supposed to replace the brakes at 0.04 inch (1/16), I only have 6200 more miles until worn.

I figure (My brain hurts!!) that if we are planning to go from Florida east coast to California and up to Canada, I need to go ahead and do this thankless job. I've done this before on previous trailer.

All that said, I wanted to see if I am figuring this right or not.

In advance
Thanks

[Grit_dog]

Trailer brake shoes are one of those inexplicably expensive things.

[MitchF150]

bobsallyh wrote:
If you decide to change them out, just get the whole enchilada. Backing plate, magnet etc. They all come together, no springs etc. to screw with. Cut the brake wires, remove the bolts holding the backing plate and just put the new unit on. Check etrailer or another parts house.

I think that's what he was talking about doing.. I just priced what mine cost me when I got my backing plates for my old Prowler. Dexter 10" #3500 axle was $40 each back in 2011 at etrailer.

Today, the same units are $84 each...

So, his $185/pair isn't too far off, as he must have a larger setup.

Well, I just checked the pricing for my 2019 Rockwood Mini Lite.. They want $241 for the pair (left) and $241 for the pair (right).. Oh my! These are the Dexter self adjusting ones.. Maybe I can just get the shoes and just change those when the time comes. I know I'll probably have to do the magnet too, but dang! $$$$$

But, when a dozen eggs now costs over $3/dozen at Walmart I guess it's all in perspective.. 😞

Mitch

[bobsallyh]

If you decide to change them out, just get the whole enchilada. Backing plate, magnet etc. They all come together, no springs etc. to screw with. Cut the brake wires, remove the bolts holding the backing plate and just put the new unit on. Check etrailer or another parts house.

[fj12ryder]

Brake pads/shoes for cars and trucks are cheap, brake shoes for trailers, not so much.

[ford_truck_guy]

Timeking wrote:
Well I sure am glad I posted before dropping $$$$$.

My pads are 1/8 inch thick at thinnest spot.

So ... using the right numbers 1/8 (=2/16 duh) is halfway between 3/16 and 1/16 (duh #2). So I have ~15,500 miles (or so) on those brakes, enough to go on our trip.

BTW my brakes are $185 a pair, so $370.

And yes, I admit, my math sucks!!!!!

$ 185 a pair !!!! ???? Gold Coated? :h

[Timeking]

Well I sure am glad I posted before dropping $$$$$.

My pads are 1/8 inch thick at thinnest spot.

So ... using the right numbers 1/8 (=2/16 duh) is halfway between 3/16 and 1/16 (duh #2). So I have ~15,500 miles (or so) on those brakes, enough to go on our trip.

BTW my brakes are $185 a pair, so $370.

And yes, I admit, my math sucks!!!!!

[Matt_Colie]

Time,

Ignoring the fact that your conversion to fractions sucks, brake pads are cheap. Labor is expensive on the road. A brake failure is even more expensive. Makes it a simple choice to me.

Now, you measured a pad at 0.080? A 1/16 is 0.0625. That does not leave a lot of margin.

Matt

[Grit_dog]

A for effort with the micrometer brake lining measurements!
F for decimal to fraction conversion.
B+ for effort to micro manage your brake pad wear.
D for efficiency. By the time you removed all the drums and micd the pads and reinstalled you spent more $ as a function of time invested than just replacing the $150 worth of overpriced brake pads would have cost you.

And subjectively, you could lose a perfectly good half worn brake lining and have it chew up and spit out and just wish you hadn’t overthunk it.

[ford_truck_guy]

Throw ALL those Math problems Into the trash can and stop over thinking.

IF the brakes a low, AND your taking that multi thousand mile trip ( 6,000 - 10,000 ) , just replace them and be done with it..:S

piece of mind = priceless

and by the way... agree with the above .080 is 80 thousands where 1/8" is .125, or 125,000.... 45,000 thicker ( .045 ) than .080 now my brain hurts

[jkwilson]

You need to check your math.

0.08 is much less than 1/8 of an inch. It’s less than 1/12 of an inch. 0.18 inch is also much less than 9/32 of an inch. It’s 9/50 of an inch. 0.04 inches is 1/25 of an inch.

New, mine were 3/16 (0.185) inch and replacement is recommended at 1/16 (0.0625) inch.