Need Advice on Replacing Hubs, Drums and Brakes on Boat Trailer

SeattleBob

Cadet
Joined
Jul 5, 2011
Messages
15
Hi All,
I have a 1996 Escort boat trailer carrying a 20' boat that is in need of new brakes, new hubs, new wheels, etc. as last time I towed it, it sounded like it was rubbing metal on metal. I finally got it taken apart this past weekend sure enough, it looked terrible. I'm a novice here but I think I need new Hub and Drum assemblies and a brake kit. I'm looking at the below but would love your opinion if I'm getting the right parts and right size replacement parts. Again, I'm not an expert at this, so any comments/opinions/advice you have is welcome. Thanks in advance.
-Bob
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dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,081
The bearing protector don’t match the hubs which is 1.988

While grease in can will work, it’s a heck of a lot easier and a lot less messy to use grease gun and tubes of grease
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,681
The drums don't look that bad, unless the races are all pitted inside. I have used zinc coated drums and galvanized backing plates for close to 20 years with good results.
 

JASinIL2006

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
5,674
If it were my trailer, I'd probably spend a bit more and get Dexter brake assemblies. I've had store-brand brakes and Dexters, and the latter were noticeably better made. I hate messing with the brakes, so the extra cost to avoid having to work on brakes is worth it to me.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
12,681
Dexter owns just about everyone these days....last time I checked they owned:
Tie Down
UPF
Kodiak
The last set of drum backing plates I bought were Tie Down, these came with a better design wheel cylinder that uses an o-ring seal instead of the boot that tends to hold water and cause corrosion seizing the piston. You can see it in this pic. I think the wheel cylinders are made by UPF, at least that is what it says on them.
This is a 12" free backing drum backing plate. The more common style with the boot, I have modified just a bit by removing the boot, putting some silicone brake grease under the boot near the top of the piston which helps keep the piston from seizing.
12 inch drum brake.jpg
 
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