Brake Replacement

[locomech]

The time has come for me to change out brakes and drums. My Passport is 11 yrs. old and parts for 3000k axles are not easy to find. I was hoping to replace my brakes with self adjusting assemblies but the best I could find were manual adjust at e-trailer.

Is it possible to use brake and drum assemblies for 3500K axles? I'm thinking the bearings are not going to fit the axle. Do I have any other options, or should I just replace them with manual adjust assemblies?

 

[NH_Bulldog]

For an 11 year old Passport,I wouldn’t go too crazy with replacements and just put back what was on there.

The other option is to go all in and just upgrade to new springs and 3,500 lb. axles.

Our 2019 Passport came with 3,500 lb. axles and manual adjust brakes that served us well for 5 years, two sets of tires and over 45,000 miles.

 

[Eman85]

I'd ask etrailer, they have people that can answer your questions. I tend to go with the KISS method, keep it simple stupid, so I'd go with manual adjustment direct replacements.

 

[JRTJH]

The time has come for me to change out brakes and drums. My Passport is 11 yrs. old and parts for 3000k axles are not easy to find. I was hoping to replace my brakes with self adjusting assemblies but the best I could find were manual adjust at e-trailer.

Is it possible to use brake and drum assemblies for 3500K axles? I'm thinking the bearings are not going to fit the axle. Do I have any other options, or should I just replace them with manual adjust assemblies?

What brand/model axles do you have? For several years, Keystone (and ALL other manufacturers) used AlKo axles for some of their RV's. When Dexter bought AlKo, they eliminated some "duplicate rating axles" from the AlKo line. Once that was done, support for the eliminated axle models was stopped. So there are a few AlKo axles that no longer have any parts availability "AT ALL" , meaning you can't rebuild those axles, can't get hubs, can't get bearings/races, can't get brake/magnet assemblies.

So, I'd start with "What axles do you have?" That may mean you have no choice but to reuse the existing parts or change out axles....

 

[locomech]

What brand/model axles do you have? For several years, Keystone (and ALL other manufacturers) used AlKo axles for some of their RV's. When Dexter bought AlKo, they eliminated some "duplicate rating axles" from the AlKo line. Once that was done, support for the eliminated axle models was stopped. So there are a few AlKo axles that no longer have any parts availability "AT ALL" , meaning you can't rebuild those axles, can't get hubs, can't get bearings/races, can't get brake/magnet assemblies.

So, I'd start with "What axles do you have?" That may mean you have no choice but to reuse the existing parts or change out axles....

I have Dexter Axles 3000K each. I can get manual adjust brake assemblies from e-trailer with new hubs/drums. I will give e-trailer a call tomorrow just to verify that self adjust are not an available option.

The thing that confused me was that on e-trailer's website they show self adjust assemblies for 3500k axles on my make and model of trailer. I have a 2014 245RB, so I thought because assemblies are no longer available for 3000k axles the 3500k axle assemblies would replace them. I had doubts because the bearings would be different. I just wanted to hear what thoughts others have. Thank you to all that replied.

If my only option is manual adjust assemblies and hubs then that's what I'll be ordering.

 

[wiredgeorge]

I just put new brakes and hubs on my old 2002 Cougar. I have Alko axles and have no idea of the rating as the metal tag on each axle was NOT legible. I guessed 3500 lb axles and 5 lug 4 1/2 spacing assemblies and bought the kits with pregreased bearings installed. I have EZ-Lube spindles and used different colored grease than I had used in the past (old stuff blue and new is red) to differentiate grease when I pushed the old grease out. I pumped until only red grease came out the little slot on the spindle. I coated the spindle with grease at that point then when the wheel was on the still up in the air used the EZ-lube fitting to force more grease. The rear of the brake assemblies has a sticker that says L for driver side and R for curb side assemblies. E-Trailer has a very good video on install.

 

[Martian-KEY]

Are you sure that you have 3,000 pound axles? Our 2020 Cougar is listed as having 3,500 pound axles but the tag on the axles say 4,000 pounds. Take measurements of the hubs and look up the number on the bearings. With a bit of research you may find that you can get forward adjusting brakes for your unit.

 

[locomech]

Are you sure that you have 3,000 pound axles? Our 2020 Cougar is listed as having 3,500 pound axles but the tag on the axles say 4,000 pounds. Take measurements of the hubs and look up the number on the bearings. With a bit of research you may find that you can get forward adjusting brakes for your unit.

The axle tag confirms 3k axles, and I measured the hub as a 10 x 1 1/2". I spoke to e-trailer and they confirmed that self adjust brake assemblies are not available for my axles. I ordered manual adjust assemblies and hubs which were not in stock, so I'll have to wait till July to get them. The manual adjust brake assemblies and hubs are also more expensive that the self adjust versions for 35k axles. It probably is because there is less demand for 3K axle parts. Just my luck.

 

[Martian-KEY]

So that is clear. Most labels don't last and few take pics of them when they are new. Have you tried axle shops? Etrailer is not all there is out there. They might know what fits and works vs etrailer just looking in a very specific catalog.

 

[Ramtop]

Did you try www.southwestwheel.com ? They have 10x1-1/2 for 3K axles listed on the website.

 

[locomech]

Did you try www.southwestwheel.com ? They have 10x1-1/2 for 3K axles listed on the website.

I gave them a call and was surprised to hear a real human ask how to direct my call. I didn't have to listen to menu options or press one for English. After speaking to a man in the parts dept. I was told that self-adjusting brake assemblies can be ordered for my 3k axles, however it would be a 3 week wait as he only had one assembly in stock.

I cancelled my order from e-trailer for manual assemblies that was also a 3 week wait and ordered the self-adjust brakes and hubs from Southwest Wheel. I'm just glad that I don't have a situation that would require an immediate parts replacement.

Thanks for the link, I didn't expect to hear from a real person without a wait on hold. I almost didn't know how to answer, it was like the days BC (before computers) when all queries on the phone were without menus.

 

[Ramtop]

I gave them a call and was surprised to hear a real human ask how to direct my call. I didn't have to listen to menu options or press one for English. After speaking to a man in the parts dept. I was told that self-adjusting brake assemblies can be ordered for my 3k axles, however it would be a 3 week wait as he only had one assembly in stock.

I cancelled my order from e-trailer for manual assemblies that was also a 3 week wait and ordered the self-adjust brakes and hubs from Southwest Wheel. I'm just glad that I don't have a situation that would require an immediate parts replacement.

Thanks for the link, I didn't expect to hear from a real person without a wait on hold. I almost didn't know how to answer, it was like the days BC (before computers) when all queries on the phone were without menus.

Great that they were able to help you. I have never ordered anything from them. I have seen several people post about them and have looked things up on their website several times.

 

[Pathfinder75]

The axle tag confirms 3k axles, and I measured the hub as a 10 x 1 1/2". I spoke to e-trailer and they confirmed that self adjust brake assemblies are not available for my axles. I ordered manual adjust assemblies and hubs which were not in stock, so I'll have to wait till July to get them. The manual adjust brake assemblies and hubs are also more expensive that the self adjust versions for 35k axles. It probably is because there is less demand for 3K axle parts. Just my luck.

View attachment 1320038

Tag shows it is a D30 hub setup. Manuals are available on Dexter web site.
You should be this from page 27.