Have a couple related posts as had a tire blow out which caused damage. I needed to replace a brake assembly that had the wires pulled out of it but actually ended up replacing all my brake assemblies, wheel hubs, and bearings as realized that was needed too.
Found my Fusion 420 was due for new brakes when inspected the drums and was also time to replace or re-pack the bearings. Not sure many are aware (I was not) that a few do offer all of this as a single part number kit and comes with pre-greased bearings so easy/no mess to install! Went with all new Dexter full assemblies for this to have full new brakes and bearings. Price is not a whole lot more all things considered than just replacing the main brake and/or bearing components to go all new. Some of the big online trailer places to not offer these surprisingly. I went through Southwest Wheel. They have the single part number kit but I actually found it a little cheaper for some reason to buy the main pieces separately. For my Dexter 7k axles it was Dexter part numbers K23-464-00 (left/driver side) and K23-465-00 (right/passenger side) for the brake assemblies at about $150ea and K08-219-2G for the full hub assembly with greased bearings installed about $140ea. This was with free shipping which is great as these are large and heavy plus they give some further quantity discounting. These are for 8 on 6.5 bolt pattern with Easy Lube spindle so do your homework to make sure compatible as other variants out there. If nothing else, their website gives full breakdown of each Dexter part included for further verification matches what currently have.
I will mention the hubs do not ship well! It is obvious that Dexter ships them on pallets as no internal packing and these things and they are heavy. All mine had damaged dust caps in the accessories kits, so I would just have extras available (Amazon ones work well) or re-use existing if not damaged. I don’t like the Dexter ones included anyways as they are rounded and very difficult to get in with just a wood block or similar. Also the redplastic caps they use dont hold really well so was some grease on the drum brake side which obviously is not good. just be prepared with some brake cleaner to get this cleaned up. also watch the front bearing as only the cap holds it in place so can easily drop out when unpacking and dont want any dirt getting on it if falls on ground!
I went ahead and took the opportunity to just but the proper dust cap tool on Amazon and will never go back after getting it … worth every 30,000 pennies! Amazon.com
If looking for a tip to remove the dust cap (this can be a struggle) use high quality painter multi-tool (fancy putty knife) like Husky 15 in. 1-Painters Multi-Tool with Stainless Steel Blade
which is built to also use as a paint chipper. Its got a flat enough blade and can still use a hammer in it to get it up under the lip of the dust cap and strong enough to pry the cap off slowly as work around its edges.
The above was also for 9/16 wheels studs which is a bit of an upgrade from the 1/2in studs mine had. The original wheels were fine for these and just required new lugs nuts. This is a strength upgrade should be considered to do the same or get the different part number hubs for 1/2in studs.
I also order a spare brake assembly for each side and hub that will carry with me. Not a bad time to consider a spare leaf spring too. Its no fun getting stuck out of state for a couple days if have a wheel hub/brake issue as many have.
If going to replace the brake assemblies might also be a good time to add RV-DE-FENDER's to prevent damage like ripping out brake lines easily from the brake assembly. I say this as they mount into the brake assembly backing plate and need the hub removed too so good to do at same time. Separate post on these here and see them in the pic above RV-DE-FENDER install and info on Fuzion 420 ... I have real metal fenders now!
Found my Fusion 420 was due for new brakes when inspected the drums and was also time to replace or re-pack the bearings. Not sure many are aware (I was not) that a few do offer all of this as a single part number kit and comes with pre-greased bearings so easy/no mess to install! Went with all new Dexter full assemblies for this to have full new brakes and bearings. Price is not a whole lot more all things considered than just replacing the main brake and/or bearing components to go all new. Some of the big online trailer places to not offer these surprisingly. I went through Southwest Wheel. They have the single part number kit but I actually found it a little cheaper for some reason to buy the main pieces separately. For my Dexter 7k axles it was Dexter part numbers K23-464-00 (left/driver side) and K23-465-00 (right/passenger side) for the brake assemblies at about $150ea and K08-219-2G for the full hub assembly with greased bearings installed about $140ea. This was with free shipping which is great as these are large and heavy plus they give some further quantity discounting. These are for 8 on 6.5 bolt pattern with Easy Lube spindle so do your homework to make sure compatible as other variants out there. If nothing else, their website gives full breakdown of each Dexter part included for further verification matches what currently have.
I will mention the hubs do not ship well! It is obvious that Dexter ships them on pallets as no internal packing and these things and they are heavy. All mine had damaged dust caps in the accessories kits, so I would just have extras available (Amazon ones work well) or re-use existing if not damaged. I don’t like the Dexter ones included anyways as they are rounded and very difficult to get in with just a wood block or similar. Also the redplastic caps they use dont hold really well so was some grease on the drum brake side which obviously is not good. just be prepared with some brake cleaner to get this cleaned up. also watch the front bearing as only the cap holds it in place so can easily drop out when unpacking and dont want any dirt getting on it if falls on ground!
I went ahead and took the opportunity to just but the proper dust cap tool on Amazon and will never go back after getting it … worth every 30,000 pennies! Amazon.com
If looking for a tip to remove the dust cap (this can be a struggle) use high quality painter multi-tool (fancy putty knife) like Husky 15 in. 1-Painters Multi-Tool with Stainless Steel Blade
which is built to also use as a paint chipper. Its got a flat enough blade and can still use a hammer in it to get it up under the lip of the dust cap and strong enough to pry the cap off slowly as work around its edges.
The above was also for 9/16 wheels studs which is a bit of an upgrade from the 1/2in studs mine had. The original wheels were fine for these and just required new lugs nuts. This is a strength upgrade should be considered to do the same or get the different part number hubs for 1/2in studs.
I also order a spare brake assembly for each side and hub that will carry with me. Not a bad time to consider a spare leaf spring too. Its no fun getting stuck out of state for a couple days if have a wheel hub/brake issue as many have.
If going to replace the brake assemblies might also be a good time to add RV-DE-FENDER's to prevent damage like ripping out brake lines easily from the brake assembly. I say this as they mount into the brake assembly backing plate and need the hub removed too so good to do at same time. Separate post on these here and see them in the pic above RV-DE-FENDER install and info on Fuzion 420 ... I have real metal fenders now!
