freeing seized drum brake

Mike_J · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 12:03 pm Post subject: freeing seized drum brake

When I got back from my last trip I discovered that one of the brakes on my trailer was seized shut. I drove it around and started and stopped (no load on trailer) and eventually it freed up.
Is there a recommended way to free such a seize up and what should I be doing to maintain these brakes so that they don't seize...

BrentB · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 12:45 pm Post subject:

m2cw

Install brake flush kit
Regular service on the brakes and bearings (at least annually)
Full inspection of the braking components and wiring annually

Convert to disc brakes which is expensive

ghone · Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:45 pm Post subject:

Hi Mike, sorry to hear that, you're lucky only one locked up
I had it happen several times to one Two and all four locked up
Always serviced and bearings and brakes all replaced in 2nd year, happened again last year all four on a gravel lot, jack it up and pound on it! Not fun
Really a pain if it happens in a remote place
My mechanic suggested to whack the backing plate with a hammer to free them
If you have the stock Road Runner trailer that PBH puts under the CD I'm sorry bud but you will be changing to Titan or Kodiac discs at some point, RR brakes and hubs are so so ( I told 'em so too!)
We changed out to Titan discs last Fall kept surge/disc
Much more robust gear, the 1 year old brake shoes had all crumbled to bits (work done in Yuma Az, not taking it back to fix)
The RR guy said these trailers were more for average type weekend use not long haul as I specified
Our trailer is good now, $2600 for 4 new hubs, disc and actuator, much I mean a Lot more stopping power as in right now baby! No lock up when left
George

Mike_J · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 1:20 am Post subject:

Thanks George. I will look at getting them serviced and possibly changed to Discs in the fall. In the meantime, off to Tofino tomorrow!

ghone · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 11:02 am Post subject:

Have a fun trip Thumbs Up

nordicstallion · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 2:05 pm Post subject:

Having had nothing but trouble with drum brakes in a salt water environment, despite, yearly disassembly,including chipping rust,sanding,priming, repainting,re packing, I finally bit the bullet & replaced the whole ball of wax with kodiac all stainless disk brakes. Life has been good since. Not a single problem!! Drum brakes & salt don't mix!

Aurelia · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 2:53 pm Post subject:

I agree. When I asked a trusted technician about fixing the rotted drum system on Ari's original trailer, he told me to cut the brake lines and forget about brakes, or replace the whole system. There was nothing in between that made sense for our use. So we bought a new trailer and sold the old one with non-functional brakes to a local guy who just needed it for local runs and didn't care about brakes. Worked out great and put a little cash toward the new King we are now using.

Greg

thataway · Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 4:03 pm Post subject:

Back the trailer up, with your foot on the truck brake, and ready to apply, when the trailer starts moving. This works in trucks and cars with drum brakes. (I'll swear I posted this last PM--but it didn't show up).