Brake Question 2007 Safari

[schwabsters]

Our 2007 20' Safari SE LS has about 30K+ miles on it. I have enclosed four photos of the brakes. Can anyone tell me if this is normal wear and I am okay as it is, or if I need to replace specific parts at this time. I have mechanical knowledge and ability, but have not had exposure to electric trailer brakes until now.
Thanks,
John

[tpi]

The lining looks OK to me, the magnet looks like it needs replacement and the drum surface it rides on looks rough. I don't know if the drum can be turned or you'll need new drum.

Using an old magnet with new drum or vice versa isn't a good idea. They will take too long to bed in.

[dwightdi]

The flat surface of the drums needs to be recut and polished. The brake magnets definitely need to be replaced. The shoes look good. No guess on how much this will cost you.

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I don't see the clip for holding the magnet on the arm, but I do see a shiney place where the clip rode on the drum. Have your drums machined on both surfaces. If this is the only magnet that is rough, you might either replace it or grind it a little flatter. If you try to grind it to be perfectly smooth, you will remove too much material.

[schwabsters]

Thanks to everyone for the information!

Is it difficult to find someone who can machine both areas on the drums? Can a typical auto shop that does brake work do it, or is it a job for a special machine shop?
Do any of you have a recommendation for where to purchase magnets, etc.?
Thanks,
John

PS--this is the first time I have posted a question on the forum. I am really impressed on the quick and great responses.

[dwightdi]

If there is a trailer shop in our area, that is the place to start. These type brakes are used on all trailers. You need both parts and service so that is the place. There are some auto repair places that machine brakes but they are not the same. There are places on line to buy magnets but you would have to know the part number. Better off to take it to the trailer shop and show them. They only charge a couple bucks more and you have no mistakes.

[tpi]

I'd call around locally and see if there is a trailer shop who can machine the drums. Very likely they can also sell the magnets and any parts you need. I highly recommend the heavy duty double lip grease seals. Inland sells them among others. Do not attempt to drive out the grease seals via the bearings.

Here's a couple links to brake parts for comparison purposes. While it doesn't seem to be necessary in your circumstances, notice you can buy a complete backing plate with all the parts at a lower cost than the individual parts.

Inland RV Center Inc.

Trailer Brakes Electric Drum Brakes Brake Magnets Accessories and Parts | etrailer.com

[ROBERTSUNRUS]

Hi, I took my drums to a friend's auto shop; He was only able to turn/machine the shoe surface. I took them to several trailer shops and they couldn't do them either. They said "Just run them as is, or buy new drums". I found a trailer repair shop that sent their drums out to an auto parts / machine shop. They told me where is was and I drove there to get my drums done. The owner of the shop said he had quite a lot of requests for doing trailer brake drums, so he modified his machine to do them. I wanted to see the machine, but it was top secret. He charges $25.00 each. My guess is that he had the bit bar modified to hold two bits or a double sided bit holder made to accomplish this job. Call around, some-one near you should be able to do them.

[schwabsters]

Thanks again for the help.

I purchased the "bolt on brake assemblies" on line (even though the shoes were fine, the assemblies did not cost much more than the magnets alone and now I have spare shoes, springs, etc. should I need them) and then I had the drums turned locally.
I expected to have problems getting the two surfaces of the drums turned (armature area snd shoe area) and was prepared to purchase new ones, but Jim Campen Trailer Sales ouside Asheville, NC machined both drum surfaces for $25/drum and they look like new. The brake assembles were purchased from trailerparts4u.com for $59 each with free shipping.

Interesting side note, the part number on the brake assemblies are exactly the same, and everything looks the same but the magnets. The newly purchased assemblies have magnets that are larger and more oval in shape compared to the original equipment, where the magnets are more square with rounded corners. The new units fit the drums fine and everthing seems to work OK, so I assume it is a manufacturer's update.