Al-Ko axle brake service?

[rcx132]

Hey everyone.

One of the brakes on this 3 tonne trailer isn't working. I've lookup up online and from what I understand, to open, check, and maybe replace shoes:

Undo the nut
Do something at the rear of the drum to slacken the brake shoes
Replace shoes
Tighten until they rub then back off
Use new nut
Torque the main nut.



Does that sound right? I've done Al-ko axles before but they were much lighter and different.

 

[Rannsachair]

I had those on my last boat trailer. Nuts are fairly well torqued, 290 Nm (32mm socket) Probably not recommended but I sometimes just used some loctite and reused the nuts.

You need to slacken the brake adjusters before taking the hubs off, see http://www.indespension.co.uk/blog/post/284#

If you are changing the bearings you will need a hydraulic press.Shoe replacement is more straightforward and as you listed.

 

[pedrobedro]

Don't forget the big hammer to beat round the drum generously. You might not need the adjuster backing off if they've been neglected for long enough

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Don't forget to get the shoe retaining pins, springs and washers.
There is a very good chance they will be badly rusted. Or will brake when the drum comes off.

The adjusters are handed as well.

 

[RonA]

Very timely you posted this thread. Just contemplating servicing the brake shoes on my caravan also an AL-KO chassis.
RonA

 

[octo0072000]

make sure the cable is not seized or broke first also sit down when asking prices

 

[Rannsachair]

make sure the cable is not seized or broke first also sit down when asking prices

Forgot about that, I found the hub bearings were the same size as front cavalier wheel bearings/ Bedford van - so good quality bearings could be bought much cheaper. On a boat trailer used in salt water, bearing replacement is all too frequent though....

 

[normspanners]

make sure the cable is not seized or broke first also sit down when asking prices

I got mine from the e bay they were fine and half the retail.

 

[rcx132]

I've ordered a 32mm socket and will soon see what's under there. Hopefully nothing too bad.

Its always like this when you buy used.... the listing promised full working trailer. But two tyres worn out, the other two tyres have sidewall damage, one brake not working, one of the tyres is a car tyre with a 300kg load rating instead of the 750kg it legally needs to have, and the wiring works but is dodgy as heck so will need to rewire it or I know what will happen, I'll try to set out on a job one winter morning only to find the lights don't work.

 

[rcx132]

also sit down when asking prices

No aftermarket parts available ?

 

[rcx132]

So I've opened the faulty drum. All looks neat inside but shoe is worn. Has 2.6mm thickness. If I pull the handbrake then the shoes move correctly.

Do these drums auto adjust? I can't see how to manually adjust the pre separation of the shoes.

Bearings are shot though.

 

[octo0072000]

Big slotted wheel is the adjuster should be a hole in back plate you turn the wheel with a flat screwdriver to adjust not sure on the auto adjust bit on that type of set up

 

[armalites]

Beaten to it^^^^

One thing worth noting on Ifors with single piece sealed bearing there is supposed to be play, I replaced all of mine when I got my trailer because they felt slack but that's how they supposed to be. The new ones were exactly the same. It may be different on yours.

Trailertek are very good for trailer parts.

All the parts are reasonable unless you have to start buying drums or genuine brake shoes

https://www.trailertek.com/brand/al-ko

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Remove all parts and clean up and ensure all are free to move.
Clean up back plate.
Dap of Copper grease on moving parts.

Then assemble.
Play with the adjuster and you will see what way the shoes move and the way you move the knobbly large nut.

Rebuild Drum and deglaze the braking surface of the drum.

Back shoes off, refit drum.
As you tighten the nut to the required Torque spin the drum in the opposite direction of the nut. Lock nut in place.

Lower trailer on to ground and bounce it up and down.
Re-jack and adjust the shoes until the drum locks, then back of the adjuster 2 clicks.

 

[rcx132]

Got it.

The adjuster nut takes some force to move as it's got a big spring on it. But I have it now. I adjusted and the bad brake is now working.

 

[rcx132]

Made me laugh.... when I Google "Trailer bearing 581169" then it's between £20 and £45 per bearing. If I look up the dimensions and search a generic supplier then it's £6 per bearing for a decent branded bearing !!