Do Hubs/Drums Need to be Replaced When Changing Braking Assemblies

Updated 02/05/2019 | Published 02/03/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Right Hand - 5,200 lbs to 7,000 lbs

(364)

$89.59

etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Left/Right Hand - 5.2K to 7K

(3173)

$193.37

Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Left Hand - 5,200 lbs to 7,000 lbs

(382)

$80.07

Question:

How do I know if these will be compatible with my brake controller? The truck I bought already has a brake controller in it and I want to know if this will work with it? Can I reuse my old hubs instead of getting new ones? Also, My trailer is double axle and weighs about 2500 lbs. I want to haul a car on it that weighs about 3500 lbs. Can I use these 7000 lb left and right brakes on just one axle and be ok? Will that be enough stopping power? Thanks Thanks,

asked by: Tim

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Electric Trailer Brake Kit part # AKEBRK-7-SA (part # AKEBRK-7R-SA + part # AKEBRK-7L-SA) will work with pretty much any electric brake controller on the market so there should not be any concern in regards to that aspect. You may however want to do a quick check on the brake controller itself to make sure it is in working order. This can be done by checking for voltage on the blue brake output wire directly behind the brake controller with the manual override engaged. There should be a full 12 volts here but if not let me know.

If the hubs/drums that you have now are in good shape then you can reuse them when replacing the braking assemblies. It is not a requirement to replace the hub/drums when you replace the braking assemblies. However, you may want to get them turned as the contact surface can become scarred or warped over time which could then affect stopping power. If you take the hubs/drums to a local machine shop they should be able to tell you whether or not the drums need to be turned.

In regards to installing brakes on only one axle, this is doable but you will need to install them on the rearmost axle if you have a leaf spring suspension or the forward most axle if you have a torsion suspension. It is best to match the weight capacity of the braking assemblies to that of the axle. If the weight of the trailer and cargo does not exceed that of your braking assemblies then you should be fine.

expert reply by: Conner L