Help with Brakes

[Togorashi]

Brakes are one of those systems that I've never really learned about. I've always taken my vehicles to a shop to get brake work done. I have a tandem axle trailer that has one of the drum brakes hanging up. I'm looking for some good information on how to do brakes - proper function, maintenance, repair, etc. Any good books, websites, videos that anyone could recommend? Thanks.

 

[tcsalvage]

redneck trailer, just google them and call the one closest to you.

 

[Togorashi]

redneck trailer, just google them and call the one closest to you.

Sorry, but how does that help me? I'm not looking for parts. I'm looking for tutorials on how to take apart and service brakes - books, websites, videos, etc.

 

[930dreamer]

Sorry, but how does that help me? I'm not looking for parts. I'm looking for tutorials on how to take apart and service brakes - books, websites, videos, etc.

PM inbound.

 

[tcsalvage]

the one in carlisle helps you if you ask a question on what is causing your problem. so if you call them and explain your problem they will let you know how to fix it. they don't just sell parts although it would be nice if you ended up needing them you bought them there.

 

[Togorashi]

the one in carlisle helps you if you ask a question on what is causing your problem. so if you call them and explain your problem they will let you know how to fix it. they don't just sell parts although it would be nice if you ended up needing them you bought them there.

Ok, I gotcha. Maybe I should just call my local trailer place then. I've bought all my trailers from them and had them service them. I've given them lots of business and they've been really good to me. They might help me over the phone.

Still, I'd like to have some pictures and tutorials to look at. Like I said, I've never worked on brakes before. I've replaced some lines and bled before, but that's it. I've never taken them apart. So I'm kind of clueless. I want to learn though.

 

[ibedayank]

Utube...do a search

 

[Orangestang]

Try the library,I have found many how-to manuals there and its free!

 

[steel 35]

Take one side apart at a time, that way you always have something to fall back on, that only works if they were assembled correctly the last time..........

 

[jamesemery728]

Utube...do a search

+1 on Utube. There are lots of videos that should help. Also Google "how to change my brake shoes". You should be able to find lots of help.

 

[rlitman]

If you do that search and include the model of your car, there's probably someone who already took pictures of the process and posted it online.

 

[6brzina]

What style of brakes do you have?

hydraulic -

electric -

etrailertv's tutorials helped me out a lot when I was installing brakes on my FIL's boat trailer.

 

[Skaal-tel 79]

Howstuffworks is a decent resource for the beginner. After that you could check out a college automotive textbook from the local library. I would say stay away from chiltons, haynes etc etc as they generally assume a medium level of education.

If you have a specific problem, IE frozen brakes (most likely rust) then you could post up pictures and I would be happy to help you

 

[Togorashi]

Thanks for the replies. I did a google search and looked around on YouTube. It should get me started. I'm not a noob when it comes to working on vehicles but I've just never messed with brakes. Im thinking it shouldn't be that hard. Drum brakes aren't rocket science.

It's an older trailer that I don't use all that much, so it's probably just rust. It makes some noise at really low speeds but goes away once I get past 10 mph or so. I'm going to pull the wheel off and see what I've got. I'll post some pics.

Thanks y'all.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Kind of implied here, but trailer brakes, especially electric brakes, work different as compared to hydraulic car/truck drum brakes.

Best advice is to one side completely at a time. (Use the other side as a reference.)

 

[Squankum]

You need this book!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0895770881/?tag=atomicindus08-20

To learn about how to monkey with drum brakes.

As for how those brakes are actuated on a trailer, surge, electric, what have you, that's not in this book. But if you want to start learning basic things like how drum brakes work and how to maintain them, it's all in here. Almost everything is in here, if you're new to working on cars.

 

[Vinny]

I just used the service manual for my car when I was doing a restoration on it. Redoing everything, like brake lines, new shoes, springs, etc. learned me real good on them. Brakes aren't too complicated. Once you've taken apart one set, you'll find others don't differ too much, especially in regards to drum brakes. I've done old Toyotas, Fords, Chevys, etc, usually 60s and 70s and I've seen nothing that new compared to what my old VW had. Heck, even the rear drums on my sister's newer Taurus are the same.

 

[bgarrett]

I learned that the ebay guy in Florida is selling full, ready to go backing plates cheaper than the parts. Pull the drum, switch the new plate for the old and put the drum back on. Done!

 

[gorilla]

Try to find a copy of The Brake Handbook by Fred Puhn. HP books #328. Best brake book I've seen.

 

[Togorashi]

Try to find a copy of The Brake Handbook by Fred Puhn. HP books #328. Best brake book I've seen.

Found a used copy for 5 bucks. Think I'll buy it. Thx.

 

[Togorashi]

You need this book!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0895770881/?tag=atomicindus08-20

To learn about how to monkey with drum brakes.

As for how those brakes are actuated on a trailer, surge, electric, what have you, that's not in this book. But if you want to start learning basic things like how drum brakes work and how to maintain them, it's all in here. Almost everything is in here, if you're new to working on cars.

Found a used copy on Amazon for 60 cents plus shipping. Can't go wrong with that price. Thanks for the recommendation.

Always looking for good books to add to my how-to collection. My Mom likes to joke that as a little kid she would take me to the library and the only thing I would be interested in was the how-to section. Cat in the hat? No thanks. I wanted to learn how to build a shed. lol. Guess I haven't changed much in 30 years.

 

[Togorashi]

What style of brakes do you have?

hydraulic -

electric -

etrailertv's tutorials helped me out a lot when I was installing brakes on my FIL's boat trailer.

Great videos. Thanks for the links. Pretty sure this trailer has electric brakes.