Brake spring?

Weldon · 05-15-2021, 01:07 PM

Repacking bearings and replacing seals. When I removed the drum, this must have fallen out. I didn't see it fall but it was on the rag when I looked back down. #1, glad I'm doing this before our 7-8 hrs trip to Jekyll island. #2, what the heck is this and where does it go? I brought it home but will come back tomorrow to work on the other 2 wheels. 1 done, then this.

travelin texans · 05-15-2021, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldon

Repacking bearings and replacing seals. When I removed the drum, this must have fallen out. I didn't see it fall but it was on the rag when I looked back down. #1, glad I'm doing this before our 7-8 hrs trip to Jekyll island. #2, what the heck is this and where does it go? I brought it home but will come back tomorrow to work on the other 2 wheels. 1 done, then this.

That appears to be the band from the grease seal. You most likely tore the seal, or destroyed it, while removing, that is now trash along with the rest of the old seal.
If the bearings/races are in good shape you can repack/reuse forever, but the seal should be replaced every time.

**chuckster57** · 05-15-2021, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelin texans

That appears to be the band from the grease seal. You most likely tore the seal, or destroyed it, while removing, that is now trash along with the rest of the old seal.
If the bearings/races are in good shape you can repack/reuse forever, but the seal should be replaced every time.

That sure does look like the band from the grease seal. And just like Danny said, toss it and install a new one.

Weldon · 05-15-2021, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

That sure does look like the band from the grease seal. And just like Danny said, toss it and install a new one.

You guys are the experts, so don't think I'm arguing. It just really looks like a spring, so I took closeups at home. Now that you can see it better, do you still think it's the band? I'm replacing all 4 seals anyway, and dont know how they could ever be reused. God knows i deformed one taking it out and #2 ripped in 4 places with the seal remover tool.
Side note, I plan on getting self-adjusting breaks for the TT, but they couldn't be here this weekend so they will have to wait a few months until my next free weekend. On Amazon, Dexter has them for $157 for 2. I'm ordering them but install will be a while

**chuckster57** · 05-15-2021, 02:28 PM

It is a spring. It sits on the outer lip of the seal to hold it against the spindle. Get another seal and you’ll see the spring.

Weldon · 05-15-2021, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

It is a spring. It sits on the outer lip of the seal to hold it against the spindle. Get another seal and you’ll see the spring.

I have 4 new seals but they didn't come with springs. I appreciate you guys quickly helping.

**chuckster57** · 05-15-2021, 03:04 PM

You need to look just inside the edge. It’s sort of hidden, but it’s there.

Weldon · 05-15-2021, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

You need to look just inside the edge. It’s sort of hidden, but it’s there.

Got it. You da man!!!

**chuckster57** · 05-15-2021, 05:26 PM

Not DA man, just A man that has done thousands of seals.

Weldon · 05-16-2021, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Not DA man, just A man that has done thousands of seals.

Ive done 4 now so im catching up. 😁
On to today's problem. Of course on the last hub of the day, upon removal the adjuster fell on the ground when I took the hub off the spindle. The left shoe sticks up when brakes are activated. Got adjuster and spring back in place but it still sticks. For today, I'm finishing the bearings and seal and torquing the nuts. My plan is to buy self-adjusting brakes for all 4 wheels and problem solved. But I'm curious and if this happened on the interstate I would like to know how to deal with it. I can't find anything that looks wrong with the brakes. Why would it shift up and stick? Appreciate anyone's thoughts.

Ps...apologize for sideways pics

**chuckster57** · 05-16-2021, 08:14 AM

Move the arm in both directions and I think you will find that one shoe "lifts up". As long as everything is in place you should be ok.

Weldon · 05-16-2021, 10:32 AM

These look correct but please correct me if wrong or anyone sees something i should avoid. For that matter, are self adjusting brakes dependable? Would like to order soon so i can install before our trip in a few weeks. I liked these bc they are Dexter but I could be mistaken

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=...a-828185506780

bobbecky · 05-16-2021, 10:41 AM

We don’t have any springs or adjusters on our trailer anymore. Had Performance Trailer Braking do the upgrade to discs a couple years ago, and trailer stops in half the distance and don’t have to worry about maintaining those electric drum brakes. https://performancetrailerbraking.com/disc-brakes

**chuckster57** · 05-16-2021, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldon

These look correct but please correct me if wrong or anyone sees something i should avoid. For that matter, are self adjusting brakes dependable? Would like to order soon so i can install before our trip in a few weeks. I liked these bc they are Dexter but I could be mistaken

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=...a-828185506780

Those are good brakes. I have installed them on lots of axles. You just need to know if they are 10” or 12” brakes. 6 lug is most likely 12”. I would go with self adjusting in a heartbeat.

Get 2 rights and 2 lefts. When you install them the wires aren’t polarity sensitive.

travelin texans · 05-16-2021, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldon

These look correct but please correct me if wrong or anyone sees something i should avoid. For that matter, are self adjusting brakes dependable? Would like to order soon so i can install before our trip in a few weeks. I liked these bc they are Dexter but I could be mistaken

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=...a-828185506780

Check with eTrailer or Dexter for the correct part numbers then you'll know they are the correct fit wherever you order them from.

Weldon · 05-16-2021, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelin texans

Check with eTrailer or Dexter for the correct part numbers then you'll know they are the correct fit wherever you order them from.

I found mine by year and model# on etrailer, then found them about $40 cheaper on Amazon. Mine are 10 inch. I will check again, then order. I didn't realize the non polarized wires, that helps.

gearhead · 05-16-2021, 02:27 PM

I bought a set of 4 for our previous Montana HC from eTrailer. Completely assembled on the back plate. Get you some heat activated butt connectors and heat shrink tubing for connecting the wires. Heat gun from Harbor Freight.
I've got Performance Trailer Braking coming in about 6 weeks to install discs on ours.

Weldon · 05-16-2021, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

I bought a set of 4 for our previous Montana HC from eTrailer. Completely assembled on the back plate. Get you some heat activated butt connectors and heat shrink tubing for connecting the wires. Heat gun from Harbor Freight.
I've got Performance Trailer Braking coming in about 6 weeks to install discs on ours.

Oh I'm jealous!!! Can't drop that much on this TT. We WILL be upgrading and I just don't see the return on investment. Barely can see it in the self adjusting brakes, but peace of mind wins out. I didn't know which size wire butts to get so I grabbed blue (14/16). Rather be bigger than smaller. I never bought a heat gun. Since 15 yrs old (thats....quite a while ago) ive just used a lighter. Should probably get one. Ordering brakes tonight. Seems straight forward. 4 bolts & 2 wires each, done.

**sourdough** · 05-16-2021, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

I bought a set of 4 for our previous Montana HC from eTrailer. Completely assembled on the back plate. Get you some heat activated butt connectors and heat shrink tubing for connecting the wires. Heat gun from Harbor Freight.
I've got Performance Trailer Braking coming in about 6 weeks to install discs on ours.

Brent, you've got Performance Trailer Braking "coming" in about 6 weeks? Are they coming to you from Norman or ??? Was just looking at those and think I'll do it but was wondering where I would have to go to get it done....or Norman??

gearhead · 05-16-2021, 04:02 PM

I have a 2 person team coming to my home July 10. I offered to go to them for a discounted price. Apparently they don't have a shop for customer work. They said I could go to their county fairground and they would go there. I don't think they offered much of a discount for me to go to them. I believe that they have mechanics in areas of the country that they use. My date of July 10 is a Saturday and I think one of 2 coming to me is a full time "in house" employee. Based on what I've read they can do the job in 6-8 hours. $1,000 labor charge makes a decent paycheck.

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