Trailer Brakes

[jeeperman]

Re: Trailer Brakes

Silvertip,
Eriks comment appears to state that he would have to weld on a new axle stud (last sentence).
As far as welding a backing plate on to an existing axle, yes it is not a slap it on and go job. And if your welding shop is paranoid about liability issues in doing it, get a better welding shop cause they ain't gonna be in business long.

The simple way to get the brake anchor plate in the proper position is to virtually install all of the brake components on the spindle. Weather drum brakes or disc you can assure all is aligned with THE SPINDLE (NOT the axle)using the brake components to hold the weld on plate for welding.

On the other hand if it is an older axle, rusty and questionable and you have to hire a welding or trailer shop to do all the work, you should just install a new axle assembly. And most likely springs since it is all torn down for the brake job.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer Brakes

The simple way to get the brake anchor plate in the proper position is to virtually install all of the brake components on the spindle. Weather drum brakes or disc you can assure all is aligned with THE SPINDLE (NOT the axle)using the brake components to hold the weld on plate for welding.

I had a custom axle made for my trailer when installing brakes on a second axle. A jig is necessary to do the job correctly. If it is not done with a jig, you will have tire wear and brakes that don't work properly.

Both the spindle and the brake flange have to be aligned with the axle.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Trailer Brakes

I had a custom axle made for my trailer when installing brakes on a second axle. A jig is necessary to do the job correctly. If it is not done with a jig, you will have tire wear and brakes that don't work properly.

Both the spindle and the brake flange have to be aligned with the axle.

That is true with an axle assy your creating from scratch.

If your adding a brake system anchor plate to an existing axle assy you can use the brake assy on the spindle as the jig. Even if the spindle is not perfectly aligned with the axle tube as the brakes are spinning about the spindle centerline, not the axle tube centerline.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer Brakes

That is true with an axle assy your creating from scratch.

If your adding a brake system anchor plate to an existing axle assy you can use the brake assy on the spindle as the jig. Even if the spindle is not perfectly aligned with the axle tube as the brakes are spinning about the spindle centerline, not the axle tube centerline.

Have you personally done this with an existing axle?

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Trailer Brakes

Yes, as well as converting standard rear axles on CJ Jeeps to full floating axles. Six Jeeps and four trailer axles over the years. The full floating Jeep rear axles involve bolting front axle spindles on the rear axle housing, then install the hub and brake parts on the spindle. If your using drum brakes you need to use spacers between the drum and backing plate for spin clearance. If disc brakes, the pads act as spacers. Then bolt the brake anchor plate to the brake drum backing plate or to the caliper mounting plate.
Then weld it to the axle tube.

This also works on dropped axles or torsion type axles where there is no axle tube as long as the arm where the brake anchor plate is to be welded is not a casting.