How to Install Trailer Wheel Brakes
Trailers such as cargo trailers, camper trailers and most all other types of transport trailers come equipped with brake shoes behind the trailer wheels. The brake shoes are operated from the tow vehicle that is pulling the trailer. As the tow vehicle pushes in on the brake pedal, the trailer brake shoes move toward the brake drum. The amount of friction that the brake shoes apply against the brake drums is determined by how hard the brake pedal is pushed inward. Once the brake pedal is released, the brake shoes retract away from the drums.
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Things You'll Need
- Tire tool
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Rubber mallet
- Pliers
- 1/2-inch drive ratchet
- 1/2-inch drive socket set
- 2 new brake shoe kits
- Flathead screwdriver
- Brake shoe adjuster tool
- Torque wrench
Instructions
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1
Park the trailer on a level surface. Unhook the trailer from the tow vehicle.
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2
Loosen the lug nuts from the rear wheels with a tire tool about one-quarter of a turn counterclockwise.
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3
Jack both rear sides of the trailer up separately. Place the jack stands underneath both sides of the rear axle about 14 inches away from the rear of each brake shoe backing plate. Lower each side of the trailer onto the jack stands.
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4
Remove all of the lug nuts from the rear wheels. Slide the wheels off the brake drums and place them down flat near each work area. Move to the driver's side rear brake drum and tap the dust cover off the front of the brake drum with a rubber mallet.
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5
Locate the cotter pin that is sticking through the castle nut and the spindle. Bend the cotter pin straight and pull it out of the castle nut and the spindle with the pliers. Loosen and remove the castle nut with a ratchet and a socket. Shake the brake drum back and forth with your hands until the wheel bearing and the washer inside of the brake drum loosen up from the spindle. Remove the bearing and the washer from the drum.
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6
Pull the brake drum off the brake shoes with your hands. If the drum is stuck, use a rubber mallet to tap the drum off the shoes. Place the drum on the surface and inspect it for any damage, such as cracks and excessive wear. Remove the top two brake shoe return springs from each brake shoe and the top backing plate anchor pin with the brake shoe spring removal tool. Loosen and remove the brake spring retainer clips from the sides of each brake shoe with the spring clip removal tool.
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7
Pull the top side of the brake shoes apart with your hands. Reach inside and remove the two lower hold down springs off each brake shoe retainer with the spring removal tool. Pull the brake shoes off the backing plate and set them to the side. Place the new brake shoes onto the backing plate. Make sure that the top of the brake shoes are against each side of the wheel cylinder and that the bottom of the brake shoes are against each side of the brake shoe adjuster.
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8
Reinstall the two lower hold down springs onto the retainers on each brake shoe with the spring removal tool. Reinstall the top two return springs onto each brake shoe and the backing plate anchor pin with the same tool. Move behind the brake drum backing plate and remove the rubber plug from the backside of the backing plate with a flathead screwdriver. Shine the flashlight through the hole and locate the brake shoe adjuster wheel. Slide the brake shoe adjuster tool onto one of the star gears that is attached to the wheel. Turn the star gear in a clockwise direction to compress the brake shoes together far enough for the brake drum to fit over the new brake shoes.
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9
Slide the brake drum over the new brake shoes and reverse the process as explained in the steps above to reconnect the washer, wheel bearing, castle nut, cotter pin and the dust cover. Torque the castle nut to 35 foot-pounds with a torque wrench and a socket. Move to the rear passenger side brake drum and repeat the same brake shoe replacement process as outlined above. Once the brake shoes have been replaced, adjust the brake shoes to the proper distance from the brake drum.
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10
Adjust the brake shoes on each wheel by turning the star gears counterclockwise with the brake shoe adjuster tool until the star gears stop turning. Attempt to turn the wheels with your hands. If the wheels will not turn, this means that the brake shoes are fully pressed to the surface of the brake drums. Retract the brake shoes from the brake drums by turning the star gears clockwise and turning the wheels at the same time. As soon as the wheel turns with no restrictions, stop adjusting the brake shoes. Reinstall the rubber plugs into the access holes.
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11
Slide both rear wheels onto the brake drums. Screw the lug nuts on tightly until the wheels begin to turn.
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12
Jack each side of the trailer up and remove the jack stands. Lower the trailer to the surface and finish tightening the lug nuts down tightly on both rear wheels.
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1
Tips & Warnings
A large flathead screwdriver can also be used to turn the star gears in place of the brake shoe adjuster tool.
Stop adjusting the brake shoes as soon as the wheel begins to turn freely with no restrictions. If not, the brake shoes will be too far from the brake drums. This will result in the brakes not working properly or at all.
