Caravan brake pads - uneven wear

[Stueyscott]

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere. I’m replacing the brake pads on my caravan and have noticed that the bottom end of the right hand pad that sits against the cam device for reversing has worn more than the rest of the pads. Is this normal? The reason for changing the pads was because the hand brake wasn’t holding on a slight hill. I assumed it’s because the pad was very worn.

 

[Jcloughie]

Hi and welcome Stuescott. Break shoes will tend to wear from one end as the actuator is only at one end. Particularly if they have not been properly adjusted.

John

 

[Mr Plodd]

As John has said, and they are brake shoes not pads

 

[toad a caravan]

If the drums have a glazed appearance lightly clean with a fine sand paper,sometimes wearing disposal gloves can keep your hands from getting stained by rust

 

[Mr Plodd]

If the brakes have been working the drums will be highly polished inside, and most certainly not rusty (unless the caravan has been standing still for an extended period)

 

[toad a caravan]

I have never removed brake drums from any vehicle with out finding rust,it's formed by the friction of the brake linings on the drum,the shoes and the drums both wear.The brake drum wear results in rust and collects as does the friction lining on the internal braking components.

 

[IanB1485]

One shoe is leading , ie the front edge moves outwards and contacts the drum , the other shoe is a trailing shoe. When properly adjusted the trailing end of the leading shoe is set so it is nearly in contact with the drum , so when the brakes are applied most of the shoe makes contact as the rotation of the drum moves the shoe towards the bottom adjuster and this pushes the trailing shoe so it also contacts the drum over most of its length.If the brakes have not been adjusted for a long time and high mileage you will see a difference in the thickness between one end and the other. I have seen differences of 0.5 to 1.0 mm on brakes that needed a lot of adjustment. After cleaning up the shoes and drum and backplate with a wire brush and then 120 grit emery I use brake cleaner to remove all the built up dust from the shoes and the drum,. don't forget to grease the hub shaft (do not grease the threads) before refitting the hub, and fit a new hub nut torqued to 290N.m for Alko 32mm AF hub nut, never reuse the original hub nut, its a one-use type.

 

[toad a caravan]

As Ian points out about single leading shoes above, an improvement on the single leading shoe was the twin leading shoe,this method increased their effectiveness

 

[Stueyscott]

Thanks all. The responses confirmed my suspicions. I’ve cleaned the drum, back plate and cam mechanism. Once the new shoes arrive I’ll adjust the brakes as Ian suggests. New nuts and a rather large torque wrench ready to go.

 

[Beachball]

Hi Stueyscott Welcome to the forum you have received the advice and help to your question I hope everything runs smoothy next time out with your caravan enjoy