Can One Brake on Trailer Axle Be Replaced or Should Both Be Replaced

Updated 04/13/2017 | Published 04/11/2017

Question:

I believe I have one bad trailer brake. The person wants to just replace the entire one brake. If that works and is the problem, is it bad that I will have one new brake and the rest original ? The others appear all to be working fine.

asked by: Marina

Expert Reply:

Replacing just one brake on your trailer axle is okay, but it can mean that the original unit will require maintenance/repair much sooner than the new one. So, potentially another trip to the shop. Since a complete electric drum brake assembly is not costly, if it were me I would replace both, and I would also at the same time ensure that my hubs are well-greased. If you are paying for someone's labor time, in the long run it can be less costly to have all the potentially necessary work done in one visit.

expert reply by: Adam R