Troubleshooting Removing Trailer Brake Assemblies and the Studs Just Spin

Updated 05/13/2025 | Published 05/12/2016

Question:

I recently purchased a set of 4 23-469 Electric Nev-R-Adjust brake assemblies. Products came in great time. I am now installing them. I am trying to take off the old assemblies, 4 out of 6 of the bolts holding on the old ones are just spinning. They are rusty and I have sprayed them with a loosener. But now cant get off the nuts. Any ideas about how to grip them or get them off. Please advise any pointers. Thanks,

asked by: Mike F

Expert Reply:

Your old assemblies could possibly have nuts on the inside of them for the studs to attach to. You are going to need to access the other side of the assembly to see what holds the studs to them. If it is a broken stud without a bolt head to grab onto and the stud is basically just spinning with the nut on the other side you would either need to try and prevent the stud from spinning with like a set of vice-grips or worst possible scenario grind the studs off from the back of the assembly to get it to come off.

expert reply by: Jameson C

George C.

5/13/2025

My 20 year old trailer has the brake assembly 4 bolt and nuts too rusted for removal. I have tried sawzall, drilling( I will not live long enough). Had a 17mm wrench on, plus liberal PB blaster without success. I guess the next step is a cold chisel and a min sledge hammer. Any tips on the most effective removal of the break assembly would be great. I notice that no one selling the replacements shares any problem solving here, the most likely problem area for brake repair/ replacement.

Jameson C.

5/13/2025

@GeorgeC If the nuts are still in good shape you might try an impact wrench? Or if you have a torch I would try that too as someone may have used red loc-tite on the nuts which basically makes them nearly impossible to remove but a torch will allow the loc-tite to melt and release as that's what it is designed to do. Red loc-tite is an absolute nightmare to deal with without a heat source.