Spindle, Hub and Wheel Temperature

[Shawn B.]

Thank you for the tips. I'd really like to test out the brakes in the driveway, but I don't have enough room. I yanked off the drum a few minutes ago. There was a lot of friction on contact points between the shoes and backing plate. Lubed these up with silicone brake grease and they now move a lot easier. Hope this improvement translates into less heat on the road. I'd really like to replace the whole assembly, but it looks as if it might be pressed onto the axle. No bolts are visible.

[Darral T.]

Sounds like probably what was going on with mine on the driver's/road side brakes. When I readjusted that side, I'm sure the shoes were moving into "uncharted territory" and was balking on me.

That's one thing I have to admit...that pulling the drums to inspect bearings/grease also let's you get a first-hand look at the brakes.

Originally Posted by Shawn B.

Thank you for the tips. I'd really like to test out the brakes in the driveway, but I don't have enough room. I yanked off the drum a few minutes ago. There was a lot of friction on contact points between the shoes and backing plate. Lubed these up with silicone brake grease and they now move a lot easier. Hope this improvement translates into less heat on the road. I'd really like to replace the whole assembly, but it looks as if it might be pressed onto the axle. No bolts are visible.

[Shawn B.]

Got humpty dumpty back together and will do a road test next week. There certainly does not appear to be a brake flange. Had a closer look after scraping off some crud and found that the brake assembly is welded to the axle. According to the Dexter site, about one half of trailers come this way from the factory. My axle was made by Aurora. So as I see it, my options after the road test include: 1) if the brake test goes well, just leave everything as is 2) replace shoes, magnet and associated hardware. 3) order a new axle. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Shawn B.]

Problem solved. Turns out the passenger side drum needed more adjustment on the star wheel. Got back from a 4800km trip a few weeks ago and no disasters with the brakes.