Free-Backing 12 x 2 Drum Brake Drags When Moving Forward on Karavan Boat Trailer

Updated 02/05/2014 | Published 02/02/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Demco Hydraulic Drum Brake Assembly - Free Backing - Galvanized - 10" - Right Hand - 3,500 lbs

(182)

$75.46

Dexter Galphorite Free-Backing Hydraulic Trailer Brake Assembly - 12" - Left Hand

(21)

$115.97

Question:

One wheel drags very heavy going forward on my 2006, 6000 lb karavan boat trailer 12/2 shoes The bolts that hold the Break shoe to the shoe lever are very loose allowing the shoe spring to apply the breaks going forward . How tight should these bolts be . Thank you for your prompt attention to this question

asked by: Gordon R

Expert Reply:

Thank you for providing the photo of the left-hand brake assembly on your boat trailer. The bolt that attaches your actual brake shoe to the shoe lever arm should be tight, but we do not have an actual torque specification. It is intended that the bolt provide a pivot point for movement between those two parts.

After examining your photo and comparing it to all of the free-backing 12 x 2 brake assemblies we offer I noticed that one of the springs on your brake appears to be in an incorrect location. On all of the 12 x 2 free-backing brake assemblies we have there is no spring at the 10-o-clock position (please refer to the spring noted in your photo by the blue arrow). On all other brake assemblies this spring should connect the two points indicated by the yellow arrow.

If you had your brakes serviced to install new shoes, or if a broken spring was replaced, it appears that either the spring was re-installed in the wrong spot or that an incorrect spring may have been substituted and was put in the incorrect location because that is where it would fit.

We do offer replacement springs and other components for Demco and Titan brakes, but you may want to consider replacing the entire brake assembly. We offer Demco, Dexter and Titan 12 x 2 brakes, including for example part # T4489500 (right) and # T4489600 (left). I have included a link to all 12 x 2 free-backing brakes.

expert reply by: Adam R