Grease seal failure coated brake shoes

[dwhit]

I've a 2014 XLR 415amp I purchased used last year. I'm taking it to Colorado so I want the brakes to be in good shape. The first wheel I removed the rear seal allowed grease to foul the shoes. I see from the archives this is a known problem. I'll replace the seal with a recommended NAPA part but the shoes...are they recoverable? They're only available from Dexter?

[mustardbucket107]

People will disagree with me, but use hot water/ degreaser / pressure washer, then go over them thoroughly with brake cleaner and a rag and they will be fine.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by mustardbucket107

People will disagree with me, but use hot water/ degreaser / pressure washer, then go over them thoroughly with brake cleaner and a rag and they will be fine.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

I don't disagree. What I do is this.

1. Wipe as much grease you can off the shoes first.
2. Use brake cleaner and spray the shoes along with wiping.
3. Allow to dry, or blow dry with shop air.
4. Using a heat gun (hair dryer) heat the shoe friction material and watch for the oils to "sweat" out.
5. Blot with a rag and continue until no more.
6. Finish up with another wipe with brake cleaner and a blow dry.

Note: instead of a hot air gun I've used a portable MAP gas torch but I don't recommend for the novice especially when you're using brake clean around. Most brake cleans are flammable.

[dwhit]

Thanks very much gentlemen...I'll do these procedures and hope for the best!

[rattleNsmoke]

For the cheap cost of an entire brake shoe 'kit' including new springs, shoes, adjuster and hardware, I personally would not waste my time trying to recover oil soaked brake shoes. Conversely, if the shoes were only slightly contaminated there may be hope. You have to run to NAPA anyway, price out a new kit.

[Restcure]

A note on what may have caused the seal to fail in the first place...

I've heard that packing bearings through an EZ lube axle can have that effect unless the wheel is spun periodically. When I repack with EZ lube it's 4 pumps, 4 spins and repeat until the grease coming out is all clean.

Having something to spin continuously spin the wheel FOR me would be super helpful... still pondering that!

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by mustardbucket107

People will disagree with me, but use hot water/ degreaser / pressure washer, then go over them thoroughly with brake cleaner and a rag and they will be fine.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

And scuff the surface of the friction material with rough sandpaper. The first few times you get them hot there might be smoke and a little smell but that should go away.

[Filterman]

Originally Posted by rattleNsmoke

For the cheap cost of an entire brake shoe 'kit' including new springs, shoes, adjuster and hardware, I personally would not waste my time trying to recover oil soaked brake shoes. Conversely, if the shoes were only slightly contaminated there may be hope. You have to run to NAPA anyway, price out a new kit.

You can buy a complete bolt on "fully loaded" backing plate from Etrailer.com for under $50.00. Cut and reconnect two wires and it is literally a 1/2 hour job. My experience with oiled brake shoes is the first time they get over heated a bit, the oil comes to the surface again.

[jdp105]

If oil or grease gets on brake shoes they are ruined. Washing them with anything will cause the oil to soak into the lining even more. When the brakes are applied the shoes will heat and become more aggressive and cause that wheel to brake more than the others. This will cause more wear on that tire as well as uneven braking over the system. Do not fool with the brake coefficient, do a proper job and change them when you have them apart. Safety is more important than a few dollars for new brakes. I spent many years as a certified truck tech and also taught brake systems in a College so have seen the tests to prove that brakes with oil or grease on them are to be replaced. Your brake drum may also be glazed from the oil and heating so it may also need replacing.

[Big Red and 30WR]

Same thing happened to me on my 14 work n play . Only had towed it home from the dealer. Ended up buy complete brakes with backer plates and magnets threw Etrailer.com. Use a good degreaser and angle grinder with a wire wheel to clean the hubs up.

[dwhit]

Geesh...I'm getting killed on this RV financially. The premium NAPA rear seals are $28/each, loaded backing plates are $85 times six...there's jus' no end.

[Ford Idaho]

No "hobby" I have ever picked up has been cheap but owning an RV has been the most expensive.

But I pay up BECAUSE I enjoy it......

[wbdavey]

Originally Posted by dwhit

I'll replace the seal with a recommended NAPA part but the shoes...are they recoverable? They're only available from Dexter?

Check the manual for the axles under brake maintenance. There should be an industry standard number for the brake shoes. With that number any brake shop should be able to get shoes for you.

[bobquest]

I own a 2013 Rockwood Ultra lite 2604 and have never been satisfied with the brakes on my TT. Even on gravel with the manual over ride full application the tires brake but never lock up, there close to locking up but do not. I suspect there is grease on the shoes also. I tried adjusting the shoes and all i was told to do as per instruction for the controller but it just doesn't feel like its braking hard enough. Guess were pulling the wheels .

[dwhit]

Well, today I worked on two wheels. I used 1/2 tall can of brake cleaner on each and many paper towels. Rubbing the shoes with a soaked towel up to 15 applications each brought about a metalflake golden color with no grease stains. Applying heat had no effect. I think I'm fortunate that the grease intrusion wasn't like the shoes were bathed but had some surface contamination. The wheels were easy to clean. I have to go with this as I'm jus' outta funds. Two wheels done...four more.

[18CrewDually]

Dwhit. If you weren't getting any droplets forming when you put heat to it then you'll be fine.
Of course ideally replacing them is recommended but if you can't wait to get the parts or you are financially strapped, this works. It sounds like yours wasn't that contaminated anyways.

[dwhit]

05CrewDually: Thanks...that's what I plan to do.

[rattleNsmoke]

Originally Posted by dwhit

Two wheels done...four more.

Why in the world do you have to deep clean all 6 wheels, Are all the rear grease seals blown out? Plus, $28 for a grease seal does seem a bit excessive. for that price I'd shop around. Try etrailer as others have mentioned.
https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Sea..._Bearings.aspx

[dwhit]

All finished. Took some xtra time as we were rained-out a couple days. Photo shows the worst of six grease seals. 1/2 tall can of brake cleaner each wheel. Brake shoes cleaned-up real nice.

[bobcrowder]

I've cleaned up a set of shoes for my tractor, but My families lives weren't on the line. Not saying it could never happen, but I replace my grease seals every year when I re-pack and inspect my bearings.