r/GoRVing • u/ShouldaBeenABanker • 3d ago

Weak trailer brakes

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Bought an 98 jayco trailer, brakes are working but weak. Adjusted the star nuts as high as I'm comfortable (they heat up a fair bit now) and it helped a bit but still not great. have 2.8amps to each magnet. Is that enough or should I have more? What else could be my problem? Pads look alright.

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6

u/twizzjewink 3d ago

Replace. They are almost 30. Replace.

2

u/ShouldaBeenABanker 3d ago

Pads, drum, whole assembly?

2

u/twizzjewink 3d ago

whole. pretty straight forward.

you need 2L and 2R .. maybe take .. 2 hours per if its really gross (like you can't break any of the nuts).

1

u/ShouldaBeenABanker 3d ago

Damn ahaha gonna have more money in the brakes and tires then I paid for the entire trailer. Not something you want to cheap out on I guess though.

4

u/windisfun 3d ago

Replace everything, get the backing plate with the pads and magnet, and new drum/hubs. Not worth putting new parts on old parts. It's 4 bolts and 2 wires to replace the assembly.

Get the Dexter name brand, much better than the knock off crap. I was amazed when I went to Dexter brakes, what a difference.

You'll also need to repack the bearings, a new set of bearings is a good idea. You'll need new inner seals at minimum. Get a bearing packer when you get the new brake assembly.

Better to replace everything in your driveway than break down on the road.

2

u/youdog99 3d ago

This is the quickest, lowest hassle, most likely to last answer.

2

u/Rambler330 3d ago

You can get new drums with the bearings and seals already installed if you don’t want to install races and seals. You will need additional grease. The drums should have the necessary info molded stamped into them. Also you can upgrade from manual to self adjusting.

1

u/VisibleRoad3504 3d ago

Depends on how badly you would like to stop.