10"/400# Axle - Brake Servicing Questions

[Baja_Man]

Hello all--

Preparing to service bearings, seals, and brakes.
2011 Outback 250RS
AL-KO 4400# Axles

NOTE...I used a Trailer Aid Plus and it did a great job of lifting adjacent wheel of the ground 1"-2". Great and easy to use product. If I ever get a flat and need to change tire/wheel, this will come in very handy! NO jacking involved!

I did purchase a race and seal driver (HF ICON brand) and already had a Lisle bearing packer. I may not have needed the race and seal driver, but I wanted it!!

I was able to pull wheels and inspect everything. Bearings and races appear good (no pits, gouges, or signs of blueing/overheating). Bearings are made in China and sizes are L68149 and L67048.
I have AL-KO 4400# axles.

I've attached a few pics of brakes, hubs, etc.

Upon inspection, I have a few questions. My brake references are based on the attached pic of backing plate of drivers/left side of trailer - front/forward drum:

1. I noticed that the magnet arm appears loose, and when I push/move it to the left, only the right side brake shoe moves outwards towards drum. Is this correct? If so, when does the left shoe move?

2. Right brake show mentioned above, is down to approx. 1/16" of lining. Left shoe has approx double the lining. This is probably due to right shoe moving and not sure if left show is moving at all.

3. Wear holes in magnet appear to still have some depth. I believe they are good.

4. There are no gouges and deep scratches in the drums wear surfaces. Also, no blueing or signs of overheating. I believe they are good.

5. I do see the brake wires plastic/rubber cover has split. Is there something better than electrical tape for covering these wires? I am unable to get heat shrink tubing over wires.

6. Checked spindle and small hole where grease exits (from EZ lube zirc fitting) and all appears in good shape and no gouges and sharp edges.

What else am I missing?
Is there more to be inspected?

Was considering changing bearings/races over to Made in USA Timkens. Thoughts?

Thanks!

[Baja_Man]

MFL wrote:
Hey Baja...glad it is all working out for you!

You should get lots of miles/use out of the OEM bearings/races, and brake components. Using good grease, doing a quality pack, you should be good for 3-5 years, without further service.

If the brakes are all kept properly adjusted, so they work together, they will go a long time too, as you noted, not even close to worn out. Your picture of the magnets showed lots of service left there too.

Good that Trailer Aid worked out for you! It is a comfort knowing that you can quickly, and safely, change a flat, when needed!

Happy travels to you,

Jerry

Thanks Jerry! Yes, the TAP is great! Perfect for changing tires, wheel bearing and brake service, etc. When only one wheel at a time needs to be worked on, it is the easiest and safest solution IMO.

Yes, brakes should be OK for several years.

[Baja_Man]

Grit dog wrote:

Grit dog wrote:
Have you actually looked at a replacement brake shoe compared to yours?

Looking at your pics, they look the same or very similar and this is what etrailer says....


"Replaces the shoes and lining on (1) 10" diameter x 2-1/4" thick manual-adjust, electric trailer brake assembly
Compatible with brake assemblies from most manufacturers, including AxleTek, Dexter, Lippert (LCI), IAC, and AL-KO"

So I'll take that as a no?

contacted etrailer....they said that it should fit. However, they only have the left side....no right side. When the lefts are gone, that's it....no mas!

[MFL]

Hey Baja...glad it is all working out for you!

You should get lots of miles/use out of the OEM bearings/races, and brake components. Using good grease, doing a quality pack, you should be good for 3-5 years, without further service.

If the brakes are all kept properly adjusted, so they work together, they will go a long time too, as you noted, not even close to worn out. Your picture of the magnets showed lots of service left there too.

Good that Trailer Aid worked out for you! It is a comfort knowing that you can quickly, and safely, change a flat, when needed!

Happy travels to you,

Jerry

[Grit_dog]

Grit dog wrote:
Have you actually looked at a replacement brake shoe compared to yours?

Looking at your pics, they look the same or very similar and this is what etrailer says....


"Replaces the shoes and lining on (1) 10" diameter x 2-1/4" thick manual-adjust, electric trailer brake assembly
Compatible with brake assemblies from most manufacturers, including AxleTek, Dexter, Lippert (LCI), IAC, and AL-KO"

So I'll take that as a no?

[Baja_Man]

UPDATE:

Brake lining on first wheel is:

0.130-0.180 on primary shoe
0.170-0.180 on secondary shoe

NOTE: 0.0625 is time for replacement

These numbers are well within useable range. I probably have a few years/several thousands of miles remaining.

Get the bearings greased and new seals and put her back on the road. Time to move on from this problem.....as there are many more problems waiting ahead!!!:B

[Baja_Man]

Grit dog wrote:
That stinks. It's $1100 + install for 2 new loaded axles ready to roll.
You may take a brake shoe to a couple trailer shops and compare to the same size shoes. A little expertise form a trailer guy or luck finding something that fits or finding a shoe that fits with a little grinding or modification is pretty likely IMO.
In the meantime, you don't have any problems and not really likely in the near future unless you're putting on a ton of miles.
Good luck.

It's actually $1300-$1600 PLUS install.

[Baja_Man]

enblethen wrote:
Six Robblees appear to have parts

Found that site....they are Dexter brakes. They do not fit my AL-KO T44 axle.

[enblethen]

Six Robblees appear to have parts

[Grit_dog]

Have you actually looked at a replacement brake shoe compared to yours?

Looking at your pics, they look the same or very similar and this is what etrailer says....


"Replaces the shoes and lining on (1) 10" diameter x 2-1/4" thick manual-adjust, electric trailer brake assembly
Compatible with brake assemblies from most manufacturers, including AxleTek, Dexter, Lippert (LCI), IAC, and AL-KO"

[Grit_dog]

That stinks. It's $1100 + install for 2 new loaded axles ready to roll.
You may take a brake shoe to a couple trailer shops and compare to the same size shoes. A little expertise form a trailer guy or luck finding something that fits or finding a shoe that fits with a little grinding or modification is pretty likely IMO.
In the meantime, you don't have any problems and not really likely in the near future unless you're putting on a ton of miles.
Good luck.

[Baja_Man]

Called Dexter and was told the AL-KO T44 (4400#) axle is OBSOLETE. No axles/parts have been made since 2015. NO Dexter parts are interchangeable. So, basically if you own this axle and need parts, you are SOL!

Sad to know you have perfectly good axles, that are not that old, but you are now unable to maintain/service due to unavailable parts....SAD!

So....I have decided to repack bearings and add new seals to each wheel and call it good. If I find a bad shoe or other bad brake part, as I disassemble each wheel, I'll deal with it as it comes.

After a few trips, if we really like the the trailer and the floor plan, we can then decide to either change out axles or sell it or purchase a newer unit.

My Trailer:
2011 Keystone Outback 250RS
This is / was a very popular floor plan

NOTE: Cost of each axle, custom built to my specs, is $650. That includes a 4200# axle (My GVWR is 7500#), new complete brake assemblies, bearings, races, and seals. For 4 new leaf springs, and 4 new U bolt kits an additional $300 for all. This is NOT installed. but picked up locally.

[Gdetrailer]

I would recommend going directly to Dexter Axle, give them a call.

Their contact info is HERE

When you get a hold of a live body, ask for technical assistance.

I did this many many yrs ago when the trailer I bought had obsolete "star rims" and the axle brand was acquired by Dexter. I was wanting to change drums that were meant for the star rims for standard 5 bolt drums. The technical department was able to cross reference the part numbers that were cast into the drums and was able to confirm that the drums I selected would work and fit. They were very nice and very helpful back then and hopefully they are still that way.

I suspect as long as the drum is 10" or 12" and the bearings are standard sizes most likely you will find either drums for 3500 or 5200 axles respectively would fit.

The only thing I see that would be an issue is the backing plate from what I understand is a non standard bolt pattern. That is easy to fix, you should be able to simply replace the brake shoes (IE transfer new shoes to the old backing plate). You might have to buy the entire backing plate but as long as the brake shoes use the same mounting, same shape and size they most likely will fit. Unless the backing plates rust out, they don't go bad. Trailer brakes are often changed by replacing as a whole assembly because it is cheaper to buy the entire assembly than buying individual parts.

But, with a bit of luck, you might be able to get enough info from Dexter for future needs.

[enblethen]

Found this at etrailer 4.4 parts

[Baja_Man]

Just found out that my AL-KO T-44 (4400#) axle is obsolete! Apparently, AL-KO was purchased by Dexter and Dexter discontinued the 4400# axle! NO parts....drums, shoes, etc!
Bearings and seals yes, but nothing else.

Read the above on many posts, on several forums, on posts that are several years, old up to current 2022.

Here's etrailer's response....

https://www.etrailer.com/question-216461.html

Darn, just can't catch a break!