How to Determine if A Trailer Hub/Drum or Spindle is Damaged Beyond Repair

Question:

Been busy fixing the AC on my truck. Did not expect it to go out at 61K. Cant live without it in AZ. You are correct in the parts that you suggested. They match my trailers brake measurements. Although, I would like to make sure that I can use my old drums again, I would assume so? I only have about 5K on the trailer and the drums look good, including the hubs and bearings. Still had creamy blue grease on them and the spindles. Spindles also look great. Unfortunately I was a little bummed when I saw all the meat that was still left on the shoes, besides the scorching they took. I have just seen 1 set of brakes so far and assume that the other is the same. I did noticed on the front drivers side wheel that the wire had completely melted like a fuse. No wonder I had issues. As for the magnets I am not quite sure. I believe that they look worn. I am going 2 attach a couple pics to help you tell me whats up and hopefully to help other customers of your like you did for me. Can only attach 1 image at a time. Will try again

asked by: Tom

Expert Reply:

For the drum what you are going to want to look at is discoloration where the pads make contact with the drum and the armature surface which is where the magnet makes contact with the inside of the drum.

Discoloration means that the metal is damaged and the hub and drum assembly would need to be replaced. In some cases some brake brake shops can turn a drum but it seems that less and less places are doing that.

Both pictures came through. The brakes look like they may have taken some of the drum with them which would necessitate new drums. The inside looks fine though there seems to be a ring of black goo that could be burned grease. Most of the replacement hub and drum assemblies we carry include bearings, races and seals, so that would take care of that as well.

The spindle, if discolored, marred, scratched or otherwise damaged would mean that the spindles, preferably the axles, would need to be replaced.

expert reply by: Michael H