trailer brakes

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Edited by Da Nag - Original MSN Poster":caox3o0e said:
From: CAVU (Original Message) Sent: 11/1/2003 6:20 PM
I had new brakes put on my 6 year old trailer at a local shop in June this year. Yesterday I took the hubs off to inspect the bearings only to find that the rear seal had blown and put a lot of grease on the new left brake (drums). I know the book says you should change the brake. My question is: has anyone ever attempted to clean the brakes in a case such as this? I really hate to buy another new brake.
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To answer a question on the old tech site regarding contaminated trailer brake shoes.......
...if braking friction material has been contaminated with grease or oil you can clean the surface of the material with an aerosol brake cleaner from the local parts house. This cleaning, often times, will only provide a temporary fix as the oils that have soaked into the material will resurface when the brakes heat up. If the material isn't to mucked up, I'd give the cleaner a try
 
From: "Nancy H" Sent: 11/2/2003 9:27 AM

CAVU,

The first question is why did the seal blow?? Is it the correct seal?? Or was it too much grease? Is the seal surface on the spindle ok?
I would try a spray can of "brake cleaner" from the auto parts store. Use it to wash off the brake shoes and drum. If the grease was not "cooked" into the shoes, they should clean up.

Hope this helps,

Larry
 
Nancy H,
I am convinced they were overfilled from the get-go. The shop that did the brake job said they were fine when they left. The seal was the right one and the spindle surface looked fine. There was no evidence that water had gotten into the hub, the grease looked new. I use Chevron Delo Ep which is a dark blue. I like this type because if any water has gotten in, it turns a much lighter blue color. Thanks for your advice, I will clean then up, put in a new seal and see how it goes next season.
 
Hi,
Drum brakes are going to be a hassle no mater what you do something you are going to have to get used to. Had the same problem with mine tried everthing I could think of still had problems. Then got mad and sprung for discs no more bads things and work great. Still have to service them at least once a year but otherwise nothing. The drum brakes problem seems to be the seals, the seal surface rusts and the seal quits working. There is no way to clean that surface good even with the fresh water wash down system. With the discs you can at least see that area and give it extra care.
Richard
 
i have had the same hassle with drum brakes, especially on long trips. I have had great success cleaning up the greasy shoes by first using ether (diesel starting fluid), followed by either brake cleaner or premium electrical contact cleaner. You might wait a day or two after the ether to see how much more oil comes out of the friction lining. Warming the shoes up a little, like next to the wood stove, will get the oil out faster. Almost always works, though, unless the oil has attacked the adhesive used to secure the friction pad to the shoe plate.

Regards, Riverrat
 
CAVU,

I forgot to ask if you have "Bearing Buddies" or equivalent on your drums. If too much grease is pumped into a bearing buddy it can come out the seal or pop the bearing buddy off the drum.(I know this from experience) :embarrased . The piston in the bearing buddy must be free and move when you press on it, or rock it.

Larry
 
Nancy H,
Yes I do have bearing buddies which seemed ok during the last few months. I didn't add any grease to them since they were redone. That is why I'm sure the seal was blown by the shop when they packed them. If they pumped too much grease in after assembling the brakes, it would not be obvious unless the hub was removed again. Anyway thanks for the tips, and I'll try the warming trick with my heat gun and reclean.
 
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