How difficult to install new brake drums

Boomerweps wrote:
IIRC, replacing the whole backing plate assembly isn’t a huge amount over new brake shoes. It’s actually easier than changing out the shoes. And you get new magnets. Apparently, the magnets wear down too.

This I will agree with.

BUT, the OP is thinking of replacing backing plate and drums, just because the brakes that USED to work well are no longer "working well".

OP obviously has had no issues before now with the brakes being strong enough.. But NOW the brakes are no longer working effectively..

Just hate to see folks throw away a lot of money at a problem without doing some basic troubleshooting and pin pointing the cause.

Very easy to throw parts at something and hope it fixes it, much better however is to learn how it works and diagnose properly without becoming a "parts changer".

Good troubleshooting means you need to figure out if electrical, mechanical or both.

You have to break it down into smaller "blocks".

Then narrow down electrical from the vehicle side to the trailer side.

Just throwing backing plates and drums at it most likely will not fix the problem if it is electrical like corroded or broken connections.

While magnets could possibly go bad electrically, they typically don't unless the magnet to drum surface has worn down to the point that the wires have been exposed and then you get shorts until the wire wears out from rubbing.. But once again, those magnets are pretty healthy and should be able to go past 100K miles..

The brake shoes will have sufficient capability for braking until they are worn to much less than the thickness of a Nickle and then possibly into the steel shoes..

I have a 1980s trailer that was originally sold in California and eventually made its way to PA.. I bought it 10 yrs ago, it had sat in a campground for round 10 yrs (have receipts to owner gave me).

I just finally replaced the backing plates 2 yrs ago when the inspection mechanic pointed out that he found one of the shoes the lining had cracked.. The brakes are twice the thickness of a nickle, worked great and as near as I can figure, they ARE the original backing plates.

I would still be using the originals if it wasn't for the lining cracking on one shoe.

Always best to replace in "pairs (left and right) so you have even drag of the brakes, otherwise you will find a "pull" to left or right.

I do want to point out to the OP of this thread.. The backing plates have a "left" and "right" side, they will have a L or R marking stamped on the plates.. When replacing them make sure you use the correct backing plate on each side or the trailer, it will make a difference..