How to Check the Brake Pads on a Dually Truck

A dual-rear-wheel truck, known as a dually, presents some unique challenges to anyone trying to perform maintenance on the rear brakes. The most obvious challenge is working around the dual wheels. While this may seem like a far bigger job than you might encounter on a single-wheel truck, it simply adds a few extra steps to the process. As far as inspections go, checking the rear brakes on a dually simply requires access to the rear brakes. In order to perform a full inspection, you will need to remove the rear wheels.

Things You'll Need

• Lug wrench
• Jack
• 2 Jack stands
• Flashlight
• Feeler gauge
• Brake rotor micrometer

Instructions

1. Loosen the lug nuts on both sets of rear wheels with the lug wrench.

2. Position the jack under the rear differential, being careful not to damage the differential cover, and jack the rear end off the ground. When that's done, place the jack stands under the rear axle next to the leaf spring supports on either side.

3. Remove the lug nuts from the wheel studs and take the wheels off by hand. Most dually wheels are somewhat heavy, compared to standard wheels, so be prepared to use a little extra elbow grease. Once both inner and outer wheels are off, move on to the next step.

4. Shine the flashlight into the brake caliper. Insert the feeler gauge against the brake pad. If the pad’s friction material is less than 3mm thick, both pads will need to be replaced.

5. Examine the rotor and find the minimum thickness number, which will be stamped into the rotor hat.

6. Install the micrometer per the instructions that came with it. You can purchase a micrometer for under $50 at your local auto parts store or through a local professional tool vendor. If the measurement is less than 1mm greater than the minimum thickness number on the rotor itself, the rotors will need to be replaced. If it is greater, machine them.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure when reinstalling the wheels that you put them on in the proper order. Most duallys have an inner wheel, which has no finish on it, and an outer one that looks much nicer and is often chromed.

References

• Brake Solutions: inspection tips