Do Henschen Axles Use Standard Backing Plates?

[perryg114]

I was wondering do Henschen axels use generic trailer brake parts and backing plates etc. or are they oddball?

Perry

[wkerfoot]

Generic.

Bill

Originally Posted by perryg114

I was wondering do Henschen axels use generic trailer brake parts and backing plates etc. or are they oddball?

Perry

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by perryg114

I was wondering do Henschen axels use generic trailer brake parts and backing plates etc. or are they oddball?

Perry

You can get them at any trailer or RV place. If you are replacing parts, you will need to know if you have round or oval magnets. The round were the old school stuff, the ovals are the modern stuff.

[perryg114]

Can you not upgrade to the ovals?

Perry

[wkerfoot]

If you purchase loaded backing plates, you will get the new oval magnets. Loaded backing plates is much cheaper than replacing parts.

Bill

Originally Posted by perryg114

Can you not upgrade to the ovals?

Perry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by perryg114

I was wondering do Henschen axels use generic trailer brake parts and backing plates etc. or are they oddball?

Perry

The old style 12 inch electric brakes used round magnets.

The new style 12 inch electric brakes use oval magnets, that offer more stopping power.

Changing out the new backing plates for the old, has no drawbacks, as replacement is a piece of cake.

Andy

[perryg114]

What happens if you put an oval magnet in an old assembly?

Perry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by perryg114

What happens if you put an oval magnet in an old assembly?

Perry

DON'T.

You will regret it, besides the magnets cost almost as much as a backing plate.

Andy

[perryg114]

I assume the stock brakes are 12" diameter by 2" wide or 2-1/2" wide? I also assume that the bearings are generic as well.

Perry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by perryg114

I assume the stock brakes are 12" diameter by 2" wide or 2-1/2" wide? I also assume that the bearings are generic as well.

Perry

The brake shoes are 12" x 2"

The inside bearing is 25580

The outside bearing, depending on the hub, was LM 67048 and is now 15123.

Andy

[perryg114]

Ok well I got the wheels off tonight. One of the 4 drums looks questionable. There is a pretty good sized groove in it. It may turn down ok but I think there will still be some groove left before it goes .090 over. So I may need a drum. The brakes shoes are shot on all 4 wheels. The bearings and spindels look ok. None of the bearings were siezed or stuck to the spindles. My axels seem to still have some flex left in them because the wheels dropped a good bit when I jacked it up. They have definately not solidified. I have not checked the bearings real close yet. I bet the drum is not going to be cheap if I can find one. I can put it back for this trip but I would prefer to have it working properly.

Perry

[LI Pets]

When these drums are turned do you need to turn the magnet contact area?

If so, I assume it takes certain type of equipment to cut???????

[wkerfoot]

What is your definition of cheap? They are generic and available at Camping World (not the cheapest place) or any trailer supply company.

Bill

Originally Posted by perryg114

Ok well I got the wheels off tonight. One of the 4 drums looks questionable. There is a pretty good sized groove in it. It may turn down ok but I think there will still be some groove left before it goes .090 over. So I may need a drum. The brakes shoes are shot on all 4 wheels. The bearings and spindels look ok. None of the bearings were siezed or stuck to the spindles. My axels seem to still have some flex left in them because the wheels dropped a good bit when I jacked it up. They have definately not solidified. I have not checked the bearings real close yet. I bet the drum is not going to be cheap if I can find one. I can put it back for this trip but I would prefer to have it working properly.

Perry

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by LI Pets

When these drums are turned do you need to turn the magnet contact area?

If so, I assume it takes certain type of equipment to cut???????

A good machine shop can turn the drum brake surface and the "armature plate", the surface that the magnet rides on, as it must be smooth for best perfomance.

Andy

[NevadaGeo]

Perry, If you're changing drums, I'd recommend going to a disc.
Perry

(just had to do it)

[perryg114]

I have limited time to mess with this. I need to be on the road by Oct 16th. The magnet surface is good on all the drums I just need the brake surface cleaned up on one drum. One drum got down to the rivets. The magnet surface looks fine. Yes the magnet area could also be cleaned up but I have found most auto machinists are some kid who is not too bright. Many years ago I bought some new drums for an old van I was driving. They did not get the hubs pressed all the way into the drums and they turned my new brake drums to true them up with the hubs in crooked, talk about mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Perry

[DGJackson]

I'm in the middle of replacing axles and have old axles that are going to scrap yard. Old parts are priced at the you haul it off level.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by perryg114

What happens if you put an oval magnet in an old assembly?

Perry

You can't, the parts are not interchangeable.

Originally Posted by perryg114

I assume the stock brakes are 12" diameter by 2" wide or 2-1/2" wide? I also assume that the bearings are generic as well.

Perry

Stock is 12"x2".

[perryg114]

All 4 magnets are good. I had the wife turn them on while I held a screw driver to them.

Perry

[perryg114]

It looks like I am going to be able to salvage just about everything. I am having one drum turned and maybe some others depending on how they clean up. The bearings are all good and so are the seals. I was able to find shoes locally.

Perry