newbie brake question

[jsmall01]

Hi, still an AS newbie (got our 19ft flying cloud bambi in May). It's a 2016. We just got back from driving over Monitor pass in CA. I was a bit stupid and did not use the manual shifting of our Grand Cherokee TV to slow down on the downhill side. (now I know) I stopped at the bottom to let cars pass and a guy pulled up and said that he saw smoke from my campers brakes and said I had probably fried the pads.

Any thoughts on if this could be true? I was using a brake controller set to 4.5 and brakes still seem to work. I'm not super mechanical so just wondering if I should go get the brakes inspected..

[tjdonahoe]

Yes..pull the hubs..as the linings are less than 1/4” thick...

[djb75]

Agree w/ tjdonahoe - you definitely need to take a peek at your pads. Even if you were down to metal-on-metal, you would get some braking (albeit pretty noisy). You might be down to very thin or glazed lining that should be replaced.

[jsmall01]

Is it simple to check the brake pads? Do I just take the wheel off or do I have pull the hub apart. Also, do most folks replace the pads themselves or do I need to go to a RV mechanic and have them replace? Again, I'm new to Airstreaming, so excuse the basic questions.

[PKI]

Think shoes as opposed to pads. Disk brakes have pads. Drum brakes have shoes. So, you need to pull the hub for each wheel. The hubs are integral with the drum. I doubt they are toast. Normal brake wear for maybe 20K miles will reduce the shoe material by maybe half thickness. For a 2016 model, it's time to pack the bearings and inspect the brake shoe wear. If you have a shop do the work, just replace the brakes. The labor to pack and inspect is about the cost to just replace. There is more material cost, of course. If you do the work yourself, then your options are open. Cost is only the grease, a couple of seals and some cotton pins, if you just inspect.

Note - At a minimum, if you replace the brakes, you will need to have the drums turned. The last brakes we installed included drum and bearing replacement. It was just easier. It took us a day for each wheel, but most mechanics will be considerably more efficient. Pat

[Halford1]

Could be bearings.

[jsmall01]

Thanks! I'll find a good RV mechanic and have them inspect, pack and most likely replace the brakes. I see on etrailer brakes are not bad. about $150 for a pair i think. Guessing labor will be around $500, but maybe more.

[jsmall01]

I think my flying cloud has sealed bearings so they can't be repacked

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by jsmall01

Thanks! I'll find a good RV mechanic and have them inspect, pack and most likely replace the brakes. I see on etrailer brakes are not bad. about $150 for a pair i think. Guessing labor will be around $500, but maybe more.

..2 1/2 hrs..

[PKI]

The 2016 parts book says "never adjust brakes" It does not say "never lube".

But I don't know. A review of your manual might be the first place to start.

Good luck with the inspection. Pat