Replacement Brakes for Tandem Axle Trailer With Brake Backing Plate Welded On

Question:

Good morning, I have an old 20 foot dual axle trailer that I recently acquired, I know its old because it has L and R stamped on the lug bolts and you dont see left hand threaded lug bolts very often. My quandary is that all of the brake hardware has been removed from the backing plates except for the magnets. It has 10inch drums with AURORA cast into them. Now the worst part is they are axles with the backing plates welded to the spindles. So theyre not removable, not easily anyway. The bearings and hubs/drums appear to be in good shape. Is there a hardware kit to restore the brakes? Or is it possible to buy a complete backing plate and just transfer the parts to my axles? Thank you for your time.

asked by: Jeffrey R

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have mobile home axles on your trailer. You will not be able to add parts from other brakes to the welded on backing plate and there is no kit to restore them so your only option would be to cut those off. More than likely with a 10" drum and 10" brakes you have a 3,500 lb axle with a 2-3/8" diameter. Assuming that is the case, you would need to weld on a flange like the Brake Mounting Flange for 2-3/8" Round Axle # 4-35.

The brake mounting flange needs to be welded on perfectly square and concentric. If it is off even a little bit, this can lead to problems with trailer ride, stability, tire, and suspension wear. We strongly recommend that brake flanges be welded on by a professional shop that routinely works on trailers and has the equipment required to weld the flange to the spindle.

With a new brake flange installed you would be able to use new brakes like the Electric Trailer Brake Kit - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left and Right Hand Assemblies - 3,500 lbs # AKEBRK-35-SA. These are 10" x 2-1/4" brakes made for a 3,500 lb axle.

Since this is an old axle you may also want to consider replacing the axles. If you let me know the axle capacity and length of the axle (hub face to hub face measurement) I can see if a replacement is available.

expert reply by: Robin H