Brake Magnets

[CBari]

I am a little confused. I had a local shop pack my wheel bearing on my trailer as I didn't have the time to get to them before an upcoming trip. They called and said that my brake magnets are bad. I thought for them to be bad they wouldn't work. I know that they would still lock the trailer wheels up as I had the brakes set pretty hot from carring four horses in the trailer last and they locked up pulling into the local shop.



Am I missing something here.

 

[B.G. Smith]

They might be worn down near the winding? They usually wear in an uneven pattern so if you replaced them the drums would need attention too on the surface where the magnets contact. I tried to have some drums turned some time ago and couldn't find anyone to do the job. If they aren't about to wear into the winding I would leave them be since you say they are working good. bg

 

[HBarlow]

If you had good trailer brakes I don't see any need to replace the brake magnets. I'd save my money.

BTW, Southwest Wheel Company Steel and Aluminum Truck Wheels and Redneck Trailer sell ordinary trailer brake magnets, probably at a fraction of the price your dealer wanted, and any dummy can install them.

 

[ewcmr2]

I tried to have some drums turned some time ago and couldn't find anyone to do the job.

Most tire&brake shops don't have the equipment to machine the magnet surface for electric trailer brakes.



A better auto/engine machine shop is where I bring mine. I think they use a flywheel surfacing machine.

 

[CBari]

I had a local rv dealer pack the bearings because I didn't have time to get to them before a trip I had coming up and It was just as I suspected I got there in time to see one of the magnets before they covered them back up. They had a little wear but no were near what would warrant replacing them. They wanted 55 dollars a magnet. I had already looked online and found them for 21 dollars. It was probably the last time I will do business with them.

 

[HBarlow]

Yep, that's pretty typical of the way RV dealer's operate. Can't blame them for trying to make a profit but also can't blame the owner who refuses to patronize them for that reason.

 

[CBari]

Profit is one thing but RAPE I just don't agree with. The sad part is they were going to double dip and charge me another 2 hours labor to put them on too.

 

[Duane Stuart]

some times it's better to change the hole brake assembly backing plate, shoes, and magnets & springs. there is only 4 bolts to disassembly. I guess it depends how many miles you have on brakes. Be sure and use American bearings and Lucis HI temp grease it's good to 500 degrees. It worked for me.

 

[HBarlow]

Duane above is correct. It has been a few years since I've replaced any but a "loaded" backing plate complete with new brake shoes, magnets, and all hardware cost less than $100/ea from Southwest Wheel Company Steel and Aluminum Truck Wheels and was a clean and simple replacement for worn brakes.

 

[Bill Stockard]

some times it's better to change the hole brake assembly backing plate, shoes, and magnets & springs. there is only 4 bolts to disassembly. I guess it depends how many miles you have on brakes. Be sure and use American bearings and Lucis HI temp grease it's good to 500 degrees. It worked for me.

Yep, that's what I do when there's a lot of wear. It's cheaper in the long run to replace the complete assembnly rather than buying and assembling the parts.



I do my own wheel bearings. I know it's done right and I know I'm the one who has to walk if it isn't.



Bill

 

[CBari]

I also usually just replace the whole assembly you don't even want to know how much they wanted for the assembly.



It is a shame that as bad is the economy is that a local business who knows you and knows that you do most of the repairs yourself and usually by some parts from them would charge you a arm and leg and then try and sell you parts you really didn't need at an inflated mark up.



I guess we all learn lessons the hard way sometimes it is just hard to swallow.



Harvey there is another parts website you might be interested in. It is silvermoontrailers.net They sell parts on line and have them dropped shipped from redneck trailer supply, but they are usually real attractive on price and shipping.

 

[HBarlow]

Have you compared SilverMoon's prices to Redneck or SWW?

 

[Wertles]

Shop around for the whole assembly. For my snowmobile trailer which sees only salt, every two years I just order the complete assembly for ~60 each. 4 bolts and I'm done. This ended up cheaper and faster than trying to clean and lube everything then swear in front of the kids when the brakes rusted and failed.

 

[CBari]

Harvey I did compare the magnets' prices between silvermoon and redneck and they were a little less, but I didn't compare any thing else.

 

[HBarlow]

I saved the link to SilverMoon. Thanks.