12" X 2" Electric Trailer Brake Shoe / Lining (One Wheel)

Video Transcript for Removing and Replacing Trailer Brake Shoes Review

Today we are going to show how to remove the break shoes on a typical electric break axle, this one in particular is a twelve inch drum. We are using that one because it is large and easy to see. This applies to virtually all electric brakes from this size on up and down to the smaller sizes. We will go over how it comes apart and the tools you will need to do it with.

Before we get started here, we will go over a couple of notes. First off, obviously, this brake assembly is not attached to an axle so just for clarity we just left it off the axle and we will work with it as is. All the steps pertaining are the same, however you will have a bit more leverage when you have an axle. You will need a few specialty tools also, you can pick these up at a local auto parts store, you are going to spend probably around twenty to twenty-five dollars, well worth the money and hassle. You are going to need three tools. You will need this adjustment tool to be used on the adjuster right here, you will also need this shoe spring tool which will be used on these spring tensions right here, and this tool here will actually be used to remove the spring here which actually keeps all the tension. These three tools are basically all you need to take it apart with.

First step in what we are going to do is you have to start on the back side of the backing plate. In our case we are going to have to flip it over, but go behind your axle and take off this cap for the adjuster and this adjuster here you will want to spin it down as close as possible so it takes out a lot of the tension. Then we will go back to the front side of the backing plate and take off these tension springs up here. Much easier than a pair of ice grips. Once you have this loosened up, you can actually pull it apart a little bit and get some tension off. And then you can go ahead and, to take some tension out, you can actually pull this apart and get your adjuster out of there. That way you do not have to worry about these little pin points, it is just a lot easier to do it that way. Last but not least, go ahead and take out your shoe retainer springs, that is the technical term. This just sets on and you just spin them and they come off. That is pretty much the extent of taking them apart. Just reverse the procedure, we will show you that, and put it back together.

Once you have your new shoes ready to go on, just go ahead and repeat the procedure and start by putting your shoe back in place. Get your retainer springs ready to go. To get your shoes back on, in my case we are going to have to get underneath of it to push this pin back to hold it in place. It will be a little bit easier when you have it on the axle. By the way, quarter turns is all it takes to put them on or off. And what you can do is put your adjuster back in there. Start with the spring. What you can do here, same principle, since there is no tension there just sneak it back in there. Now we will start moving on this spring here. Give it a quick test by moving it back and forth, center it and you will be ready to put your hub back on. After you get your hub back on, go back to the back side and use your adjuster to adjust the brakes as you need to.