4400lb Dexter axle-Al-Ko brake drums obsolete

[JRF16]

Have a Keystone Outback TRS230 manufactured in 2015. 4400lb axles have Dexter/Keystone sticker on them with Al-Ko brake drums. I suspect the axles are really Al-Ko as Dexter 08_407-90 brake drum/hubs are not compatible with the spindle. Am in the process of returning those.

Have contacted suppliers and dealer in Portland Oregon and Trailer Superstore in Delaware plus others. They also contacted Dexter who apparently bought out Al-Ko/Hayes. They no longer make or stock the #568955 Al-Ko drums I need. They are deemed obsolete. Can't find any inventory available.

The solution from all sources is to replace the axles with Lippert or Dexter currently manufactured. $$$$

My guess is this axle assembly was or near obsolete when the trailer was built. Both Keystone and Dexter have left customers without any replacement parts available. Product support on wear items for a reasonable length of time would be nice!

If any of you have 4400lb axles with any Al-Ko/Hayes parts needing replaced good luck!

JRF16

[JRTJH]

If you do a bit of research on the forum, there are a couple of threads about this axle and replacement parts. If I recall correctly, none of the posters have/had found replacement hubs and all eventually either replaced the axles or had new spindles welded to the axle tube. Around here, nobody will weld a new spindle on an old tube, so it's buy two new axles. Cost in parts is around $2300 plus welding of the spring plates (about $50 per plate/$200 for the pair) and installation ($500) if you can't do it yourself.

Total, roughly $3000 unless there's an issue like equalizers, springs or hangers or wet bolts, which will increase the price.

If you can find a source for replacement hubs, please post the source, I'm sure it's going to come up again and again....

[Newfound]

we are having the same problem

[Newfound]

I know this was posted awhile back so does anyone know if the brake drum is available anywhere

[sourdough]

I know this was posted awhile back so does anyone know if the brake drum is available anywhere


Have you looked at etrailer.com?

[Newfound]

thanks yes I have looked at e-trailer but I live in Canada and it is going to cost quite a bit to get them .I don't mine paying the price but if it is wrong it will be a waste of money. I purchased some locally but they do not fit .It is a 10 inch Dexter 5 bolt ,the brake assemble we bought ,the back plate did not match up so we had to use the old ones, when we tried the drum it would not fit

[sourdough]

I did not read all of the previous portion of the thread. It appears at that time (2019) that there was no solution other than new axles - if you have the same axles/brakes. That said, maybe someone will have an update if there has been a solution found.

[Xxmikew]

We’ll. I’m currently stranded in an Arizona campground with this issue. I’m at a loss. Who would have thought a drum replacement t would put an end to my trailer and my travels. The old drum got toasted when brake broken in transit. The parts were replaced with some dexters. It ended up not working but the old drum was tossed. Long story.

Not sure what I’m going to do. I’m not sure how I’m even going to move the trailer.

[Xxmikew]

Newfoundland. What did you end up doing?

So the parts that our guy originally put on all went together. And I rolled on it but the drum was grinding on the backplate causing some heat.

I wonder if I can just angle grind the plate down to make it fit and spin freely? It was 3500 lb 10” dexter backing plate. It was grinding a little on the edge. I don’t know. Just brainstorming while I lay awake at night in the Airbnb. wondering how I’m going to get the trailer anywhere.

- Mike

[flybouy]

Newfoundland. What did you end up doing?

So the parts that our guy originally put on all went together. And I rolled on it but the drum was grinding on the backplate causing some heat.

I wonder if I can just angle grind the plate down to make it fit and spin freely? It was 3500 lb 10” dexter backing plate. It was grinding a little on the edge. I don’t know. Just brainstorming while I lay awake at night in the Airbnb. wondering how I’m going to get the trailer anywhere.

- Mike

Do you know where it's rubbing? How hard is it to turn the drum? When you installed the hub did you pre-load the bearings by tightening up the spindal nut to the proper toque then back off the nut?

If you know where it's rubbing between the backing plate and the rear cirucmfrance of the drum you should be able to rake it to an automotive machine shop and have them turn it down on a brake lathe. If it's only rubbing on a small spot on the backing plate then I'd try "adjusting" the backing plate by carefully tapping it with a hammer and wood block or a brass bar if you have one.

If the face of the brake shoes are rubbing the inner face of the drum then turning the max amount according to allowed spec and see if it's enough. If that doesn't work then I'd remove the brake shoes, reassemble and see if it still rubs. If it doesn’t, then I'd cut or disconnect the brake magnet wires on that wheel and drive home.

[Xxmikew]

It turned with little effort but also started smoking a mile down the road. The drum was between 500-600 degrees. I don’t have it anymore but can maybE get a new one and see if they’ll go together. Calling dexter this morning to see if they have a solution

[flybouy]

It turned with little effort but also started smoking a mile down the road. The drum was between 500-600 degrees. I don’t have it anymore but can maybE get a new one and see if they’ll go together. Calling dexter this morning to see if they have a solution

That sounds like a bearing issue to me.

[Xxmikew]

No bearings were new and fine when we got the wheel off. Could see grind marks on the back plate.

I wonder if a 008-407-05 drum can be modified to make room for the outer bearing. I don’t think so. I think it would have to have a 1/2” cut out of the middle of the hub vs just cutting off the end.

Maybe easier to modify that other back plate. I wonder if someone would replace axles in the field.

I don’t know. Just spinning my wheels over here. Hahahahahahahahahaha. Good joke me.

- Mike

[SierraBob]

I too have a problem with finding this drum for my 2014 cougar trailer. I have tried everywhere and everything out there and can't find a solution. Mine had 4400lb axel with 3500lb brake assembly and an AL-KO 4400lb drum. If anyone finds a solution please post.
Thank-you
(Canada)

[JRTJH]

See if this hub will work: K08-476-92

It's the first hub on page 13 in this link from Dexter: https://www.dexteraxle.com/user_area/content_media/raw/al-ko-genuine-parts-catalog-(lit-775-00al).pdf

Here's a thread from about 3 or 4 years ago with the same issue: https://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40408

[gearhead]

Might talk to Performance Trailer Braking in Norman Oklahoma.

[bobbecky]

PTB doesn't have anything for 4400 lb axles, but they would have to replace the axles, which I'm sure they would be able to do on site by their installers. https://performancetrailerbraking.com/disc-brakes

[Xxmikew]

I too have a problem with finding this drum for my 2014 cougar trailer. I have tried everywhere and everything out there and can't find a solution. Mine had 4400lb axel with 3500lb brake assembly and an AL-KO 4400lb drum. If anyone finds a solution please post.
Thank-you
(Canada)

Just replaced my axles.

[JRTJH]

PTB doesn't have anything for 4400 lb axles, but they would have to replace the axles, which I'm sure they would be able to do on site by their installers. https://performancetrailerbraking.com/disc-brakes

Problem is that they don't have installers in a bucketload of places. The closest available installer to me was about a 800 mile trip. Hard to do on 3 wheels or on a busted hub.

My "solution" was to special order two Dexter replacement axles, shipped to me and I'll install them when the snow melts and the weather warms enough to be comfortable working outside.

For someone in Canada with a "busted axle", Performance Braking" is a good source of information (and they offered me lots of helpful advice), but I don't think they have any "installer presence in Canada"....

[Xxmikew]

See if this hub will work: K08-476-92


That’s a five lug. T-44 axle is 6 x 5.5

[JRTJH]

That’s a five lug. T-44 axle is 6 x 5.5

Then maybe the one directly under it, the next one down on the same page ???

KO8-480-90

It's 6x5.50 with 10x2.25 brakes

[Xxmikew]

Then maybe the one directly under it, the next one down on the same page ???

KO8-480-90

It's 6x5.50 with 10x2.25 brakes

Tried that one. Too tall. Outer bearing won’t seat can’t get the castle nut on.

[JRTJH]

When Dexter bought out AlKo, they discontinued the 4400 axle production. I think I remember a couple of threads where people were trying to locate hubs in junkyards because Dexter stopped supporting the axle line with any replacement parts. Your axles may be the ones that those threads were discussing.

You might give Dexter Customer Service a call on Monday to see what they have to say... You'll need the information from the axle tag located on the axle beam so the CS rep can identify exactly what axles you have.

Dexter Axle Company Customer Service
Open: Monday - Friday
Hours: 8:00am-5pm EST

574-295-7888

Be sure to ask about your axle warranty. Some were covered by a 6 year warranty, some weren't. You may still have a month or two of remaining warranty, depending on your trailer date of purchase. Worth knowing for sure.....

[Xxmikew]

Yea. That’s exactly it. I called the alko plant. They said yea that part is obsolete. Can’t find it anymore. Replace axles.

[JRTJH]

Not that it's any comfort to you, but I bought my new axles from Trailer Parts Outlet in Madisonville, TX. They were the cheapest "online custom axle" sales outlet that I could find. There may be places that sell cheaper, but freight was a "killer" with them. TPO pricing is "freight included". They shipped mine FedEx freight and I picked the pallet up at the local FedEx center.

I don't have AlKo axles, mine are Lippert 5200 pound ones that just aren't holding up well, so I'm changing them out for Dexter 6000 pound axles.

I'm not associated with that business and have no relationship with them other than being a customer.

Here's the 5200 pound axle kit similar to the 6000 pound kit that I bought from them: https://thetrailerpartsoutlet.com/collections/tk-axle-kits-axle-series-5-2k/products/5200-lb-tk-tandem-axle-hd-kit-10-4k-capacity

You'll need to measure your spring hangers and hub face to order the correct "custom axles" for your trailer. Or, if you don't want to change them out, you could find a trailer repair center or RV dealership in your area. I found that no RV dealership had "time or desire" to do the work. They all found reasons why they couldn't get the parts.... To me, seemed strange that I could order them but they couldn't LOL

Anyway, when I went to a trailer repair center, their quoted price was almost double what I could buy the parts, then they wanted that much again for labor. So the $1500 axles would have cost almost $5000 to install...

Mine are sitting in front of the fifth wheel in the pole barn and when it warms up, I'll drag it over to the house where all my tools are and change them out on a "nice day to be outside"....

ADDED: I forgot to mention that the above kits do not come with bronze bushings (wet bolts), they have plastic shims in the springs, so if you do order a kit from nearly anywhere, you'll also need a wet bolt kit if you're changing the springs.

[Xxmikew]

I hired a guy and he and I swapped them out in the parking lot. I paid him 450. I paid 1700 for the 5200lb axles. That included new hangers and springs that I could not put on due time constraints. So axles were like 700 a piece or so. It’s definitely a two man job. Possible with one of you have enough jack stands and patience.

[Jake's Keystone]

When Dexter bought out AlKo, they discontinued the 4400 axle production. I think I remember a couple of threads where people were trying to locate hubs in junkyards because Dexter stopped supporting the axle line with any replacement parts. Your axles may be the ones that those threads were discussing.

You might give Dexter Customer Service a call on Monday to see what they have to say... You'll need the information from the axle tag located on the axle beam so the CS rep can identify exactly what axles you have.

Dexter Axle Company Customer Service
Open: Monday - Friday
Hours: 8:00am-5pm EST

574-295-7888

Be sure to ask about your axle warranty. Some were covered by a 6 year warranty, some weren't. You may still have a month or two of remaining warranty, depending on your trailer date of purchase. Worth knowing for sure.....


So I just went through this with my 2011 Outback. Same axles and Brakes. I know there was some machining done on the drums. I'll reach out to the shop and find out where he got the Drums, Hamilton I think and apparently they had about 6 left, and what machining was done. If memory serves me right, inner edge was beveled. But I'll ask them on Monday...

[Xxmikew]

So I just went through this with my 2011 Outback. Same axles and Brakes. I know there was some machining done on the drums. I'll reach out to the shop and find out where he got the Drums, Hamilton I think and apparently they had about 6 left, and what machining was done. If memory serves me right, inner edge was beveled. But I'll ask them on Monday...

Yea that might save the next person. I thought about taking the dexter drum to a machine shop and seeing if the could get it to fit. Also thought about modifying the backplate but I didn’t have the one it was grinding on. Just had to get my family out of the situation and back on track.

[Jake's Keystone]

AL-KO Drums were purchased from CERKA Milton Ontario (Canada) and they had some left. There are no OE brakes available so the drum was machined about 1/8" to stop the rubbing on the backing plate.
Hope this helps someone...

[SierraBob]

I too have a problem with finding this drum for my 2014 cougar trailer. I have tried everywhere and everything out there and can't find a solution. Mine had 4400lb axel with 3500lb brake assembly and an AL-KO 4400lb drum. If anyone finds a solution please post.
Thank-you
(Canada)
Update.... I was lucky enough to have the drum resurfaced. Only one deep groove on the drum face.

[Grisi24]

So I see that the brake drums are obsolete but can you still find the pads and magnets? Any thoughts?

[JRTJH]

So I see that the brake drums are obsolete but can you still find the pads and magnets? Any thoughts?

Using the information in post #29 from April, 2022, there are no brake components (shoes or magnets) available at that time. Unless some "out of the way parts store" has some dusty ones on the shelf, you'll probably not find any brake shoes to fit the obsolete drums. It "used to be" that a "shade tree brake shop" would reline brake shoes to replace the braking surface. But that was back in the days of asbestos containing shoes. I'm not sure if you might be able to find someone to reline your existing brake shoes.