RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Apr 10, 2015 17:30:12 GMT -8
As the title suggests, the round magnets on the 65 Aloha brakes are worn, but everything else looks good, drums included.  I did a quick search and could only find the newer oval shaped magnets. I did find some round ones on a vintage trailer parts site but they wanted $30 apiece. I bought new Dexter assemblies instead for $39 each, free shipping. Thought I'd hang on to the old ones if I can find some magnets at a reasonable price. |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Apr 10, 2015 20:35:26 GMT -8
I'm sure in the old days parts were available for individual replacements. But today they replace the entire backing plate assembly.
Two things to pay attention to, make sure you have the right side brake assembly on the right side, and the left side on the left side, they are directional.
The second is that you will find the same looking parts at both high and low prices. The low price brake assemblies are from China, and they do not always work with USA (Dexter) drums. Just keep the brake assemblies the same make as the drums/hubs for best compatibility.
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Apr 10, 2015 20:44:28 GMT -8
The second is that you will find the same looking parts at both high and low prices. The low price brake assemblies are from China, and they do not always work with USA (Dexter) drums. Just keep the brake assemblies the same make as the drums/hubs for best compatibility. Originals are Hadco, nothing they currently manufacture is compatible. Hoping the Dexter assemblies will pair with the Hadco drums/hub. |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Apr 10, 2015 21:01:11 GMT -8
The second is that you will find the same looking parts at both high and low prices. The low price brake assemblies are from China, and they do not always work with USA (Dexter) drums. Just keep the brake assemblies the same make as the drums/hubs for best compatibility. Originals are Hadco, nothing they currently manufacture is compatible. Hoping the Dexter assemblies will pair with the Hadco drums/hub. I have not tried to interchange parts from the two different companies.
I plan to replace the entire axle assembly on my 1948 Spartan with a new 7200# Dexter axle, brakes, and 16" wheels, just so I will have a currently sold axle assembly under my trailer that I will be able to purchase replacement parts when I break down on the highway. I like vintage on some things, but on suspension parts I like to use commonly available parts that I could buy at any NAPA store.
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Apr 11, 2015 5:57:42 GMT -8
Originals are Hadco, nothing they currently manufacture is compatible. Hoping the Dexter assemblies will pair with the Hadco drums/hub. I have not tried to interchange parts from the two different companies.
I plan to replace the entire axle assembly on my 1948 Spartan with a new 7200# Dexter axle, brakes, and 16" wheels, just so I will have a currently sold axle assembly under my trailer that I will be able to purchase replacement parts when I break down on the highway. I like vintage on some things, but on suspension parts I like to use commonly available parts that I could buy at any NAPA store.
I'd probably do the same with a bigger trailer. Back in the mid 70's I was the brake guy at a full service gas station, right out of high school auto shop. Loved that class. I've forgotten most of what I used to know, been hiring my work out for so long now. Back then you bought rebuild kits not assemblies. We'd hone and rebuild calipers, wheel cylinders, did all our own turning, fun stuff, too bad it didn't pay or I'd have likely stuck with it. Used to always arc the shoes when doing drum brake jobs. I know I'd also have to turn my drums to match them up. Is this done with trailer brakes? |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Apr 11, 2015 7:26:11 GMT -8
I have not tried to interchange parts from the two different companies.
I plan to replace the entire axle assembly on my 1948 Spartan with a new 7200# Dexter axle, brakes, and 16" wheels, just so I will have a currently sold axle assembly under my trailer that I will be able to purchase replacement parts when I break down on the highway. I like vintage on some things, but on suspension parts I like to use commonly available parts that I could buy at any NAPA store.
I'd probably do the same with a bigger trailer. Back in the mid 70's I was the brake guy at a full service gas station, right out of high school auto shop. Loved that class. I've forgotten most of what I used to know, been hiring my work out for so long now. Back then you bought rebuild kits not assemblies. We'd hone and rebuild calipers, wheel cylinders, did all our own turning, fun stuff, too bad it didn't pay or I'd have likely stuck with it. Used to always arc the shoes when doing drum brake jobs. I know I'd also have to turn my drums to match them up. Is this done with trailer brakes? Greg, arching shoes, and matching drum diameters are still a good practice on a "steering axle" like the front end of your drum brake equipped classic car/truck. You might have a hard time finding a shop that still has a brake shoe arch machine, due to the hazardous dust. I don't think you will find any appreciable difference doing it on a fixed trailer axle. I did get into discussion??, with a Carson Trailer dealer that builds and sells utility trailers, he said you never need to balance trailer tires! I asked him, if the trailer tires turned at a slower RPM than the truck pulling the trailer? A tire out of balance, becomes a bigger problem the faster it turns. Most trailer tires are only speed rated for under 60 MPH. |
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Apr 11, 2015 8:06:28 GMT -8
I'd probably do the same with a bigger trailer. Back in the mid 70's I was the brake guy at a full service gas station, right out of high school auto shop. Loved that class. I've forgotten most of what I used to know, been hiring my work out for so long now. Back then you bought rebuild kits not assemblies. We'd hone and rebuild calipers, wheel cylinders, did all our own turning, fun stuff, too bad it didn't pay or I'd have likely stuck with it. Used to always arc the shoes when doing drum brake jobs. I know I'd also have to turn my drums to match them up. Is this done with trailer brakes? Greg, arching shoes, and matching drum diameters are still a good practice on a "steering axle" like the front end of your drum brake equipped classic car/truck. You might have a hard time finding a shop that still has a brake shoe arch machine, due to the hazardous dust. I don't think you will find any appreciable difference doing it on a fixed trailer axle. I did get into discussion??, with a Carson Trailer dealer that builds and sells utility trailers, he said you never need to balance trailer tires! I asked him, if the trailer tires turned at a slower RPM than the truck pulling the trailer? A tire out of balance, becomes a bigger problem the faster it turns. Most trailer tires are only speed rated for under 60 MPH. That's about how I remembered it but wasn't sure. Oh yes, that cloud of brake shoe dust, if I recall correctly we had no exhaust or fan system, my lungs got a good dose of it. Never heard that one about the tire balancing. Even if true, I'd never consider it. Thanks for the input. |
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