Is it Easier to Replace or Repair 12 Inch Dexter Electric Trailer Brakes

Question

Question:

I have a Wells Cargo car hauler. 20 ft. box, 24 ft. over the tongue. The axles are Dexter torsion units and the tags say 5200 lb. The brakes are 12 x 2 electric manual adjust on both axles. I think the combination of old seals and the previous owner pumping grease in resulted in the LF and the RR shoes being grease soaked. Additionally, the adjuster on the LF was rolling around in the drum, unscrewed into two pieces and well smoothed.inch All that was left of the spring is two pieces about 1/2inch long each. Surprisingly, the drum was not scarred at all. So, from my days as an auto mechanic, I know I have about a 50-50 chance of using brake clean to get the shoes in good shape. Id have to buy an adjuster assembly and a spring. Are they available separately? Would it make more sense to buy assemblies? Move the RF to the RR and put two new assemblies on the front axle? Or get 4 new assemblies? Which ones? Also, the seals are marked Dexter 10-10 Taiwan. I assume the TruRyde RG06-090 will replace them?

asked by: Bob M

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Expert Reply:

First, if grease got on the brake shoe pads they are pretty much done. You would not be able to get all of the grease and I would not recommend taking that risk anyway.

We do have individual parts available for many brake assemblies. For an adjuster spring use # BP08-070. For actuating arms use # BP02-230 for the left and # BP02-240 for the right. For the adjuster use # BP10-060.

Honestly I would replace all 4 assemblies and be done with it. That way you will get all new parts and they will all be in the same condition. If you just replaced 2 assemblies you would keep having to replace two at a time because 2 would be more worn than the other two. Also the cost of replacement parts when added up can meet or exceed the cost of all new assemblies.

For the left side use # 23-105 and for the right side use # 23-106. Or, you could use Nev-R-Adjust assemblies that adjust themselves automatically. For the right side use # 23-459 and for the left side use # 23-458. And for a pair of 10-10 grease seals # RG06-090 is correct.

expert reply by: Michael H

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Answer 1

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 2

Hey Richard, thanks for reaching out! The Dexter DX7.5 Drop-N-Go Brake Actuator #099-175-00 is a great option for a replacement actuator because it's a direct replacement for the common Model 60 actuators that were popular in the '90s.…

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

To determine the size of the brake assemblies you need you have to measure the depth and width of the hub drum on the axle like what you see in the picture I attached. The most common size is 2-1/4 inch wide like the #T4071600-500 that you…

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Answer 5

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Answer 6

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Answer 7

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Answer 8

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Answer 9

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Answer 10

To find the load capacity for your axle you should look on the trailer VIN plate or sticker that lists the VIN number. The weight rating of the axle should be listed on that same plate or sticker. Also, the axle could have a tag or plate on it that…

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Answer 11

To determine the size of the hub assembly you need to purchase you have to determine which bearings are in the old assembly. If the old assembly has L44649 inner bearings, you would use the hub you chose #8-258-5UC1. If the inner bearings are marked…

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Answer 12

Load range B trailer tires are going to have a lower capacity than C load range tires. Basically that, psi rating, and the ply rating are the only differences. A higher load range tire would last a little longer than lower load ranges of the same…

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