What To Do If My Brake Pads Are Breaking Into Pieces?

Updated 08/07/2023 | Published 08/04/2023

Products Featured in This Question

etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes w/ Dust Shields - Self-Adjusting - 12-1/4" - Left/Right - 10K

(360)

$336.54

Dexter Nev-R-Adjust Electric Trailer Brakes - 12-1/4" - Left/Right Hand Assemblies - 9K to 10K

(1731)

$701.83

Question:

I found this piece of brake pad around my inner wheel just in the passenger side rear axle smelt like hot brakes front hub was cool rear hub was warm

asked by: Freddy

Expert Reply:

It is completely normal for brakes to get warm when towing. Especially if you are doing a lot of braking, heat is natural. Now if the brake pad is falling apart, that is something you will want to address. Having pieces of brake shoe inside the drum could definitely cause excess friction/heat. You may still get decent braking power, but less brake pad = less braking power. Also I would be concerned that you may continue to lose pieces of the brake shoe over time.

At this point I recommend replacing your brake assemblies. The # 23-450-451 you were looking at are for a 9K or 10K axle. The shoes are a 12-1/4" diameter and 3-3/8" deep. If you have a different axle size, we should have the right electric brake assemblies to fit.

expert reply by: Jesse M