Squeaky caravan brake

[CrewOVtwo]

I noticed yesterday our van has developed a squeak whilst coming to a stop. It appears to be the last 5 to 10 seconds of braking, but could be more if road / engine sounds hide it a little.

Is there anything I can squirt on to remedy the issue or should I book it in for a service, though it was supposedly serviced 6 months ago when we purchased it?

 

[Mr Plodd]

An exceedingly common fault with Alko brakes. Do a google search when you have a few hours to kill!
There's very little that can be done to prevent/cure it. Chamfering the leading edge of the lining on the brake shoes will sometimes cure it, but only fir a short while.

 

[CrewOVtwo]

I love the help that's available here. Thank you so much and I can stop worrying about it now 🙏

 

[SirRogerFFS]

On A bright note. When it squeeks you know its working . When it stops squeeking ...Worry

 

[IanB1485]

Brake lining are chamfered , there's been lots of discussions on various forums and professional circles for the reasons - change of brake material , change to hub material , e.t.c .
A squeal is a high frequency oscillation, so my guess is:- it's the surface of linings has become glazed ,(nice and shiney) and it's one or the other thats vibrating sideways.
When a proper service is done the linings are usually de-glazed and the mating surface of the drum is also cleaned with 80 grit emery paper .One point to note is that if you take the drum off to clean the linings then you will have to replace the hub nut with a new unused one and it will have to be torqued to the specified torque. usually about 290N.m

 

[Mr Plodd]

It happens with new, brakes long before they have "bedded in"
My caravan did it from the day I towed it out of the dealers. Linings and drums were replaced shortly afterwards under new warranty. No problems since.
Having said that I know that Alko are now refusing any warranty claim. Their reason being that the brakes still "work" as brakes, so are not, technically, defective!