Trailer Brake Hubs/Drums ??

Submitted: Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 16:54

ThreadID: 44236 Views:1777 Replies:4 FollowUps:3

This Thread has been Archived

Shaker

I buried this question in a previous followup, but I think it is worthy of discussion.

Why are the brake drums on trailers integral with the hubs?

On a lot vehicles the hubs are separate & the drums just slip over the studs & are retained with a couple of screws, has anybody got this set up on their trailers or is there any real reason why we can't set them up that way??

It would make brake inspection & maintenance a lot easier & a damaged drum could be be replaced on it's own.

I know people will say that it makes you check/adjust your bearings at the same time, but cars have bearings too, & there are times when it would be good to be able to just slip the drum off & on again.

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator Share

Reply By: Mr Fawlty - Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 17:10

Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 17:10

Shaker you won't get any argument out of me on that one, it's a pain just trying to clean out the drums when you have no chioce but to do the bearings at the same time.

AnswerID: 232983

Follow Up By: Shaker - Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 17:19

Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 17:19

I wonder if it is possible to convert to separate drums?

FollowupID: 493852

Reply By: SA_Patrol - Friday, Apr 13, 2007 at 00:10

Friday, Apr 13, 2007 at 00:10

maybe if you had a full floater axle system, the old land rover wheel type setup

AnswerID: 233034

Reply By: Blaze - Friday, Apr 13, 2007 at 01:11

Friday, Apr 13, 2007 at 01:11

There's an easy solution, use what all off road trailers should use, DISK brakes, no more dust problems etc.

AnswerID: 233046

Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Apr 13, 2007 at 09:35

Friday, Apr 13, 2007 at 09:35

True ..... but the only really efficient DISC brake system is electric/hydraulic, which is quite an expensive upgrade.

FollowupID: 493940

Reply By: Member - bushfix - Friday, Apr 13, 2007 at 10:42

Friday, Apr 13, 2007 at 10:42

G'day Shaker,

hope I understand what you are describing...

i have recently upgraded my 9" brakes to 10" with electrics. Once I have the wheel off, I simply remove the dust cap and the outer bearing cotter pin/securing nut, then it I simply pull the drum off the hub and can inspect/clean quite easily.

set up like this (hope it works first time...)

AnswerID: 233103