Replacing electric trailer brakes guide

Updated Mar 29, 2018

Bs29691Equipment trailers are a vital tool in the construction and landscaping trade, so having them work properly and being well-maintained is a critical part of a landscaper’s success.

One area of trailers that dictates their usefulness and efficiency is brakes. Brakes are the biggest wear item by far, and if they aren’t maintained, some serious safety issues arise.

Electric brakes are the most common, and they are simple in their operation:

  • Step on the brake pedal and a 12-volt current is sent to a small electromagnet inside the brake assembly that then actuates the brake shoes
  • When the magnet is energized it grabs hold of the face of the brake drum
  • That motion causes the metal arm, to which the magnet is attached, to pivot outward, forcing the brake shoes against the brake drum

With the help of Husky Towing Products, see how to replace electric trailer brakes by clicking through the slideshow below:

Remove the EZ-Lube cage retainer.Remove the EZ-Lube cage retainer.

Remove the lock nut.Remove the lock nut.

Remove the outer hub bearing.Remove the outer hub bearing.

Pull off the wheel hub/drum.Pull off the wheel hub/drum.

Remove the backing plate mounting nuts.Remove the backing plate mounting nuts.

After the brake assemblies have been removed, clean and inspect axle spindles for any signs of damage or wear.After the brake assemblies have been removed, clean and inspect axle spindles for any signs of damage or wear.

Electric brakes only function well if the magnet can stick to the brake drum face, so sand old drums lightly with 400-grit.Electric brakes only function well if the magnet can stick to the brake drum face, so sand old drums lightly with 400-grit.

Wash brake dust off and use brake cleaner liberally to clean drum.Wash brake dust off and use brake cleaner liberally to clean drum.

Husky’s electric brake kit (left) is a bolt-on replacement for the factory parts.Husky’s electric brake kit (left) is a bolt-on replacement for the factory parts.

Husky’s electric brake assembly and clean brake drum can help trailer braking power.Husky’s electric brake assembly and clean brake drum can help trailer braking power.

Use new butt connectors and make sure the connection is sound before bolting on backing plate.Use new butt connectors and make sure the connection is sound before bolting on backing plate.

Husky brake kit slides over the axle and bolts right up to the stock flange.Husky brake kit slides over the axle and bolts right up to the stock flange.

Brake kits are directional. Make sure the electromagnet arm faces the trailer tongue (front) or the brakes will not work.Brake kits are directional. Make sure the electromagnet arm faces the trailer tongue (front) or the brakes will not work.

Use impact to tighten nuts.Use impact to tighten nuts.

Use a grease gun bearing lube adapter to speed up packing bearings.Use a grease gun bearing lube adapter to speed up packing bearings.

Be sure to have the right grease seals on hand before starting the brake job.Be sure to have the right grease seals on hand before starting the brake job.

Carefully tap new seal into hub after inner bearing is slipped into place.Carefully tap new seal into hub after inner bearing is slipped into place.

Drop in the outer wheel bearing. Be sure the bearings don’t show any rust or signs of wear. If so, replace with new ones.Drop in the outer wheel bearing. Be sure the bearings don’t show any rust or signs of wear. If so, replace with new ones.

After the hub assembly is back together, slide it back on the axle.After the hub assembly is back together, slide it back on the axle.

Tighten retaining nut to spec and place cage retainer keeper over it so it doesn’t back off.Tighten retaining nut to spec and place cage retainer keeper over it so it doesn’t back off.

Editor’s Note: Bruce Smith is a Senior Editor at Randall-Reilly

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