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06-23-2009, 09:17 AM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
1999 23' Safari
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 230
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Brakes a DIY Project?
I have a 1999 23ft safari that has never had a brake job. I'm thinking about installing new backing plates on all four. Easy to do myself or should I pay a professional?
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06-23-2009, 09:58 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chasmorgan
I have a 1999 23ft safari that has never had a brake job. I'm thinking about installing new backing plates on all four. Easy to do myself or should I pay a professional?
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Many owners change out the backing plates.
The only thing to pay attention to when mounting them is there are left and right hand backing plates.
The wiring is not polarized.
Of course, after they are mounted, you must adjust the brakes.
Depending on how many miles the trailer has on it, you might consider replacing the shocks, too.
Pack the bearings and replace the grease seals at the same time.
While your at it, install some Centramatic balancers, and take care of that problem as well.
Andy
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06-23-2009, 10:15 AM
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#3
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More than one rivet loose
Currently Looking...
Los Alamos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,756
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chasmorgan
I have a 1999 23ft safari that has never had a brake job. I'm thinking about installing new backing plates on all four. Easy to do myself or should I pay a professional?
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How handy are you? Have you ever done drum brakes on a car? Are you changing the magnets? Do you have a friend that can help if needed?
If not get a professional.
__________________
Michelle TAC MT-0
Sarah, Snowball
Looking for a 1962 Flying Cloud
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06-23-2009, 10:50 AM
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#4
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,702
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Michelle is right. Do you figure out mechanical things easily, if you haven't done a brake job before?
Not sure why you need new backing plates unless you want self adjusting brakes, a technology only 40 or 50 years old that Airstream doesn't seem to have heard of. I have heard magnets only last 20,000 miles, so on 10-year-old trailer, surely you need them, shoes, springs.
When were the wheel bearings last repacked? There are plenty of threads on that.
Gene
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06-23-2009, 10:58 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,849
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
Michelle is right. Do you figure out mechanical things easily, if you haven't done a brake job before?
Not sure why you need new backing plates unless you want self adjusting brakes, a technology only 40 or 50 years old that Airstream doesn't seem to have heard of. I have heard magnets only last 20,000 miles, so on 10-year-old trailer, surely you need them, shoes, springs.
When were the wheel bearings last repacked? There are plenty of threads on that.
Gene
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Gene,
It is cheaper to purchase fully loaded backing plates compared to the individual parts.
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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06-23-2009, 01:20 PM
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#6
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,702
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Bill, so they come with all the brake parts. Sounds like a good deal to me. I understand Dexter came out with a self adjusting option for the backer plate recently.
Gene
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06-23-2009, 01:26 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1977 27' Overlander
1973 27' Overlander
1963 19' Globetrotter
Naples
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,259
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You need to see what you have first,pull drums,check them for groves & spider cracks.Check your shoes ,do they need to be replaced ? Don`t spend the money till you know what you need. Dave
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06-23-2009, 02:01 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,849
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
Bill, so they come with all the brake parts. Sounds like a good deal to me. I understand Dexter came out with a self adjusting option for the backer plate recently.
Gene
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Gene,
Yep, cut the wires, unbolt the backing plates, rebolt the new plates and hook up the wires, and boom you are done. Self adjusting fully loaded backing plates are available also.
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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08-25-2009, 08:48 AM
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#9
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3 Rivet Member
1999 23' Safari
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 230
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Well as many of you predicted the brake and bearing job was not that big a deal (except the temp here in Austin has been brutal). During the removal of the old backing plates I noticed that the electrical wires on one of the rear wheels had not connected? After a short trip of two miles I checked the temp on the hub and that wheel was warmer than the other three. Thinking I had done something wrong I tore it down and checked the bearings and readjusted the the brake. And it's still hotter than the other three. I've researched the threads on brakes and have not found any clues to my problem. Any suggestions??
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08-25-2009, 08:59 AM
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#10
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,702
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There is a variance on the heat of each wheel. How many degrees difference? Also, the sunny side will often be hotter than the other side.
I wonder what Andy meant by the wires are not polarized? Does it mean it doesn't make any difference which one is attached to the wires coming to the brakes?
Gene
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08-25-2009, 09:08 AM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
1999 23' Safari
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 230
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I've purchased a digital infrared thermometer and will take a reading in the storage shed today and then when I've towed for a couple of miles and let you know the results. My understanding is the same as yours on the polarization issue, it does not make a difference which wire you connect to the backer plate.
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08-25-2009, 09:25 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1967 22' Safari
1960 Caravel
Edmonds
, Washington
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,499
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CrawfordGene
There is a variance on the heat of each wheel. How many degrees difference? Also, the sunny side will often be hotter than the other side.
I wonder what Andy meant by the wires are not polarized? Does it mean it doesn't make any difference which one is attached to the wires coming to the brakes?
Gene
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Simply, It doesn't matter which way you hook up the wires.
__________________
Lee
1973 F-250 4X4 390
1965 Chevy Suburban 454
AIR 6030
WBCCI 4258
TCT
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08-25-2009, 09:37 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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are the other 3 brakes working? you can try a very low speed quick stop to test and see if they all lock.
if they are they might be adjusted less tightly than the hot one and the hot one is activating first.
is the hot wheel spinning freely after it gets warm?
are the shoes seated correctly on the backing plate?
hare the hold down springs ok?
as an FYI, the brakes will drag slightly more after they get hot.
__________________
Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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09-16-2009, 05:12 AM
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#14
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Site Team
1974 31' Sovereign
Ottawa
, ON
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 11,219
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wkerfoot
Gene,
It is cheaper to purchase fully loaded backing plates compared to the individual parts.
Bill
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What's a good place to buy those, please?
__________________
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” ...John Wayne...........................
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09-16-2009, 08:22 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1979 23' Safari
1954 29' Liner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,849
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aage
What's a good place to buy those, please?
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There are several places on the internet, just google trailer parts.
Bill
__________________
Bill Kerfoot, WBCCI/VAC/CAC/El Camino Real Unit #5223
Just my personal opinion
1973 Dodge W200 PowerWagon, 1977 Lincoln Continental, 2014 Dodge Durango
1979 23' Safari, and 1954 29' Double Door Liner Orange, CA
https://billbethsblog.blogspot.com/
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09-16-2009, 08:31 AM
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#16
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Master of Universe
2008 25' Safari FB SE
Grand Junction
, Colorado
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,702
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09-16-2009, 08:33 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
1963 26' Overlander
1989 34' Excella
Johnsburg
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,944
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09-16-2009, 08:34 AM
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#18
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3 Rivet Member
1999 23' Safari
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 230
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Finally took it to my local Airstream dealer and had them check out my brake job. The tech said the installation looked very good and he re adjusted all four to spec. He also confirmed the electrical flow to all four hubs. Hub still hot! Checked the bearings and all looked good. Still hot! Replaced the new backing plate on that wheel.....fixed the problem! My conclusion.. this is a DIY job that can save you lots of money if you have the right parts and those parts are not defective!
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09-16-2009, 08:36 AM
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#19
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INSANITY CENTRAL
1986 32' Excella
Airstream Funeral Coach
Citrus Heights
, California
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,108
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It's all DIY !!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chasmorgan
. Easy to do myself or should I pay a professional?
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everything on a airstream is easily done by the owner.
UNLESS you're the kind of person that could get both hands stuck in a vise !!
__________________
www.popasmoke.com
Proud Appellation American
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