How To Remove the Brake Drum If the Brakes Are Locked On a Reinell Boat Trailer

Updated 01/18/2021 | Published 09/22/2011

Question:

How do you remove the brake drum, as brake is locked on. Reinell single axle trailer

asked by: Jeremy

Expert Reply:

A trailer hub and brake drum should be able to be removed by just sliding off the spindle after the castle nut is removed. The castle nut is located underneath the grease cap. The trailer brake should not be activated.

If the brake is locked that must mean that there is pressure on that wheel cylinder keeping the brake shoes against the brake drum. I would first checked the surge coupler on your trailer to see if the master cylinder is stuck or if anything is wrong with the coupler that might be keeping pressure on the brake system.

If there is nothing wrong with the surge coupler, then I would go to the wheel cylinder and find the bleeder valve and loosened the valve to release the hydraulic pressure in the system. This should let the brake shoes release and allow you to remove the brake drums. You will need to remember that if you open the bleeder valve and let air in the system you will need bleed the brake system completely to get the air out of the system.

Another option is to try to back off on the adjustment wheel to get the brakes to release, but if there is pressure on the wheel cylinders it would be very hard to turn the adjustment wheel.

expert reply by: Jeff D

Stephen L.

1/12/2021

Trailer brakes are electric, not hydraulic. Don't go looking for a bleeder valve. Try spraying PB Blaster in through the lug holes and striking the drum firmly with a heavy rubber hammer. It may break loose.

Jon G.

1/18/2021

This is actually an older answer page and boat trailers use to almost always use hydraulic brakes. It wasn't until the recent past where boat trailer manufacturers starting putting electric brakes on their trailers. Using your method for electric brakes combined with Jeff's method for hydraulic brakes is a good thing to keep in mind.