Servicing "Non Serviceable" Trailer Brakes

[@WatchWesWork]

You can now support this channel on patreon at patreon.com/watchweswork We appreciate it!

[@harrywalker968]

wes,,its a split pin,,a cotter pin has a nut & a flat..bycycle,type.. ausie..

[@harrywalker968]

1 leaf,,impresive,,we have 5 min,,jap steel..anyhoo..id replace the leaf bolts, bushes, u bolts..just for the hell of it..

[@harrywalker968]

oh crap..weve had elec brakes for decades..also cable..elec expensive, too much plumbing,wires, controlers. we mainly use hydraulic..

[@harrywalker968]

pendulum,??..good for up hills..eh..

[@harrywalker968]

our drums have a nut/ cam outside, each side, to adjust shoes. our laws are crap. we went from a 6 x 4 trailer, 1 ton.. single axle. to 6 x 4 1/4 ton. no brakes on any 6 x 4. ever.. some dick, must of had a bad day, killed 10 people, or a kangaroo,,tree hugers,, now if it doesnt have brakes, might as well take a bucket.. 1 sheep syndrome..

[@RickSolid1]

Thank you Mrs Wes for putting up with our NEED for your husband to continually get into shenanigans. He’s so very good at what he does, it’s like a drug for us at this point.

[@suburban404]

Rick Solid, Well said

[@COM70]

Here here !

[@normanbuchanan9710]

applause 👏👏 for a well stated comment.

[@davidwright1653]

Agreed!

[@01ls1z28dabx]

Thank you dimples.

[@J.n.A.1993]

My favorite moments in your videos are when you proceed to do something the armchair quarterbacks in the comments say cannot be done. Keep it up sir, God bless, stay safe, hug your loved ones folks. Thanks for the video Wes.

[@c185pilot3]

My engineering degree was acquired with nothing more exotic than a slide rule and a drafting board...no calculators or other fancy stuff...wish we had all the new technology... we had a reactor on campus and used a radioactive cobalt pellet to expose film of the internals of our castings....we're still glowing.

[@gregquante8864]

Thanks Wes, your videos never cease to educate… really appreciate you sharing these. The family shots are a great touch

[@TheDaisyraven]

Considering the price of NEW trailers, it makes economic sense to repair the old stuff. Another great video from you sir,. Thank You!

[@twobabejinkins1736]

Everything is serviceable if you have a welder ! Immortal words from Wes !

[@williamfindspeople4341]

It is an unique skill for any auto shop. Never underestimate the power of the welder and it's useful uses.

[@chuckwatford2952]

Should be a sticker!

[@brianthesnail3815]

Never a truer word said. I grew up on a farm. The world would starve without farmers armed with welders and the right attitude to mend equipment. 😄

[@monochromechaos9757]

I started work in the aerospace industry straight out of college in 1990. We had 2 3d printers, although that term was about 10 years away - they were called 'rapid prototyping machines'. At the time they really felt like a solution in search of an application, it's amazing to see how the technology has developed.

[@thomasbrown9402]

"rapid"

[@Ragnar8504]

To a degree it still is. Sure, prototyping and doing one-off jobs like this template and some spare parts that don't need any mechanical strength but that's about it. Most people I know use them to produce toys. I've got to teach kids how to use them and sometimes I wonder why they'd ever need that.

[@crackpotfox]

It's still a solution in search of a problem... you should see the dumb things people will print. An engineer i went to school with printed a *plastic plate*

[@joshuabaker5712]

​@Ragnar8504 you do realize 3d printers don't just print weak plastics right? And even then if being used for prototyping it is vastly cheaper then most other ways.

[@Ragnar8504]

@@joshuabaker5712 Most people are thinking of filament printers in the three-digit Euro/USD range though and those are fairly limited. They absolutely have their valuable applications but they're not the be-all and end-all some people seem to think they are.

[@thirzapeevey2395]

This is what American ingenuity and creativity used to be. I appreciate you reviving it. Perhaps your example will get other young men thinking about possibilities instead of saying, "I can't."

[@carlaustin7398]

3D printer idea for the spacers was genius !!!

[@GainingDespair]

I remember when my younger brother bought a trailer. Tires where bad, he ordered some replacements. First tire he tried replacements didn't fit, he called dude said wrong tire, dude sent replacements. Tires arrive, tires still not fitting. What the heck is going on ... Trailer had 3 matching hubs, and 1 different. He measured front, and back on other side. Got matching numbers so he ordered tires. However rear tire on other side was different size. We ended up keeping the last set and ordering two he axles. Fun times playing around with that thing, this brought back some memories.

[@eltonkingsley5617]

Well done Wes! You are a proper engineer and no mistake. Old school hands on skills are sadly missing in a world of virtual reality. Like your Dad I am semi-retired and come from a millwright background, so I recognise the real deal when I see it.

[@charlesangell_bulmtl]

Back in the day a mechanic had skills beyond parts changer/keyboard jockey that included fabrication.

[@primepropertymaintenance5350]

Millwright. Welder torch and a hammer that’s all you need it will fix the crack of day or the break of dawn. Of course a lathe helps too

[@dporrasxtremeLS3]

Well Stated Elton! I Agree!

[@DanEBoyd]

Hoping to see a rewiring, and then a test of these new trailer brakes!

[@mavision6525]

Your videos are great because you're teaching as much as they are entertaining. This is why you are one of the better channels and why we look forward to each one.

[@ThatPNWGuy2024]

6am on a Sunday. Must be time to watch another one of Wes’ masterpieces. Cheers from WA state. From one Wes to another thanks as always for the great videos. Time to grab my coffee, sit down at the reloading bench and deprime some brass while I watch.

[@codysp]

Are you part of the Sages Reloading family?

[@ThatPNWGuy2024]

@@codysp no?

[@FliesLikeABrick]

The brake lathe really came in handy here since that drum isn't exactly something you run out to replace. Great job, everything about this was surgical and reduced waste

[@greggv8]

Google dayton trailer brake drum. Easy to find brand new and not too expensive. The better choice would be to get drums made with wheel studs in a smaller bolt circle so common 15" or 16" trailer wheels and tires can be used. Those dayton wheels can be a pain to ensure they're on straight.

[@androidemulator6952]

In a world of craziness, nutcases , insanity and stupidity..one of the few refuges of common sense and humour, is arriving at Watching Wes Work.. Thank you Wes. ;)

[@rowandunn2403]

Fantastic video Wes! A prime example on why every shop needs a metal lathe folks I talk to are usually scared of them but you don't have to be crazy good or accurate for the vast majority of the work most people encounter they're definitely an excellent tool to have. I taught my dad how to use my small Clausing 10x36 lathe and he uses it constantly for making little bushing/spacers and turning down sockets to make a thinner wall for working on his goofy BMWs

[@charlesangell_bulmtl]

Perhaps the 'folks I talk to' skills are a 'liability' unto themselves?

[@orionfixr7713]

I suddenly have hankering for a grilled brat . Great video . I think you could make airing up tires an interesting video !

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

I wish I could find a few of these old lever Style Lift Jack's you got @Watch Wes Work

[@YeahJustMe]

Clearly Wes has watched the movie "Animal House"...."Well, we'll just have to adapt as we go!", followed by the sound of a torch igniting. The only thing missing was the evil laugh :)

[@advancedleveldiagnostics]

It's incredible how you adapt as you go along; very impressive! I love how you don't shy away from showing the two most controversial things on KZbin in one video, Welding and how to tighten an axle nut.😂

[@davidchang-yen1256]

“Torque hammer” made me chuckle, thanks. As Diesel Creek Matt says, any tool is a hammer if misused enough.

[@divadyrdnal]

Never knew they made dust cap pliers…learned something for the day! Eating deer sausage breakfast while watching Wes work.

[@bluegrallis]

I just use a claw hammer.

[@stevencabiati1467]

So just a welder, acetylene torch, lathe, years of knowledge and vocabulary including the word ubiquitous. Got it.

[@stevencabiati1467]

Oh yeah and a 3d printer, brb

[@chrisfreemesser5707]

Color me impressed at your wide variety of skills Wes...your town is lucky to have somebody like you to take care of their stuff!

[@stevecooke9212]

Excellent mantra…”anything is possible with a welder”, digging’ your style man 😊 Follow the process, not the plan.

[@ScottDLR]

Your thoroughness is inspiring Wes! And I'm glad I'm not the only one who has to turn the adjusters the wrong way first. Every. Single. Time.

[@garys9694]

Started doing that MANY years ago & i still do it.

[@garybrugone433]

I tell ya,I could watch only your Videos... You capabilities are endless. Loved the Outro... You all have a blessed day.

[@Chr.U.Cas1622]

👍👌👏 That's stuff I like to watch. No diagnosing device necessary, only hands, eyes brain. Using some old equipment but also a 3D printer for making an ingenious, very helpful but still inexpensive template. Congrats for being open minded AND for having the skills to handle old and modern stuff. I'm eagerly looking forward to watch the next part. Thanks a lot for making teaching explaining recording editing uploading and sharing. Best regards, luck and especially health to all of you.

[@tda2806]

I know last week you were worried about generating KZbin videos, please don't worry, this was 19'54" of great work and entertainment.

[@Nick-bb4nk]

19 feet and 54 inches. Thats certainly a lot of entertainment

[@braddokken9191]

This is why I love your channel. Anyone can do a brake job. It is when things don't fit that things get interesting. Thanks for the video!

[@plumbum48]

You are the Guru of mechanical repairs. Suggest your letterhead have the following company motto “Bring your tired and broken and I will heal them”

[@jimbeckettplay]

I'm enjoying the 3D printer content lately. When you need that specialty tool, or specialty plastic part, you whip out a quick cad design, and print it out. That's a good feeling. I'm constantly printing things to repair broken things around the house, or just making dumb little widgets that make life a little easier. One I am going to do soon is a simple spacer for the boards on the fence I need to build next month. (Fence owner is very picky about that kind of thing, and I'd never hear the end of it if it wasn't perfectly uniform.)

[@brandonfloyd6321]

It popped up a ad for walmart other day for these 14.5 tires and wheels. Thought it was odd. We have one trailer with house trailer axles and luckily we have a mobile home place 3 miles down the road to get take off tires and wheels. Lol

[@paulhammond7489]

And there was me thinking Wes was going to bore out new backing plate using the refurbished Lagun FTV-2 milling machine, but the brake lathe with its three jaw chuck came to the rescue :) The long list of tools required reinforces the old saying... "A guy can never have enough tools"

[@grosseileracingteam]

Glad you restored your brake lathe because the kid at your local Oh-Why-Me auto parts store wouldn't have been able to find a dia. spec on his cash register/confuser and it's probably not cast into the drum like it is nowadays. Got so hot here in Detroit last week a hot glue gun I left on the seat of my truck glued itself to the seat. I'm still cursing the sun for that one.

[@_BAD_MERC_]

You're the first KZbinr I have seen use and own dustcap pliers. I have a pair AND the related tools to service/repair drum brakes. They're pretty useless nowadays but I inherited a lot of tools from my late father and those tools put food on the table when we were growing up so there's profound respect they've earned. They are neatly arranged in my boxcar-sized tool chest with all the tools I still use constantly. There's a certain freedom in being able to DIY anything at home and having the proper tools.

[@shadymaint1]

Last time I did what you are doing I bolted the whole brake drum and backing plate assembly together and mounted it on the spindle. I then tacked the mounting flange to the axle. Disassembled everything and welded the flange to the axle. Your 3d printed solution also worked very well.

[@johncraig406]

as long as you have a machine shop at your beck and call.... love it Wes, never get tired of your Videos 😊

[@jamesgrubbs6496]

When I started College, I and most other students were using slide rules in 1978. I had finished 6 years and 4 months of service in US Navy, Nuclear Power, Machinest Mate 2nd Class. We used a slide rule to solve the 6 factor formula, which allowed us to design a homogeneous nuclear reactor. Then a professor showed me an amazing thing. A dummy terminal, a rotary dial phone, and a device with two cubs in it. A Modem. 8 bytes per ? I put in a coordinate, hit enter, and waited for a computer at University of Michigan communicate to us in Denver. It took 10 minutes and a dot appeared on the dummy monitor. I said to Dr Gunther, this is great for drawing. Only thing is I can draft a lot faster. This will never sell. 46 years makes a huge amount of difference.

[@rabk5702]

Two things I never seen when I was in the trade in UK dust cap removal tool and that grease bearing packer wish I new they existed lol great show 😁😁👍👍

[@douglasfogerty7153]

The 3d jig was genius. A little extra work saved a ton of frustration trying to get the spacing right. Cool project.

[@Drew6709]

My old '77 Ford 250 had a brake controller that required brake lines to be plumbed in. I liked it. I still had the ability to adjust the electric brakes on the trailer.

[@Turbochargedtwelve]

Just as you were wrapping up I thought to myself what are the chances the wiring on this thing works… and then you showed it. Shocking.

[@julian11able]

I loved to see all the cool tools come out for this one. Such a simple project with such a twist.. as always. Would have preferred to see the wiring in the same video but I guess I get it.

[@kensherwood4866]

Well living in the UK the idea of electric trailer brakes was a novelty. I'm informed and impressed, thanks Wes. Keep up the good work.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Love the mojocraft sticker that is awesome on the brake lathe

[@oby-1607]

You do good work in a world where it is usually non-existent. Can't wait for the wiring.

[@craigsowers8456]

@13:05 ... you made my day Wes ... the previous minutes kept wondering "He's really not gonna put that rusty drum on there is he?". And then you broke out the AMMCO Drum Lathe and made me smile !!! You are aces !!! So proud of how your mind comes up with "work arounds" and that 3D printer really did the trick keeping perpendicularity spot on ... we have a "Leica" laser for PI of our C-130J Fuselage jigs ... and has the ability to "3D Scan" a part and print it ... not that we'd do this on an Aircraft ... just fun to play with it. Folks in the antique car world use them to make many trim parts ... like you have a taillight trim ring for the left side but missing on the right ... cut and past (reversed of course). Amazing tech.

[@WatchWesWork]

Yes. The prices on that tech have come way down to. They have 3D scanners a hobbyist can afford. Not sure how accurate they are, but still it's impressive.

[@DeweyCheatumNHoweLLC]

​@@WatchWesWork a friend of mine has 2 Elegoo printers, making parts and models in HO scale. With the right drawing talent they are amazing

[@ianburit3705]

DAMN, you young Wes, your clever- loI `m so old school I never saw or used a 3D printer in my once working life but as I watched my brain was ticking over still thinking through old school solutions. The simplicity of modern problems never fails to amaze and still teach this 75 year olds brain, so I thank you for that. - Ian -UK.

[@tonygiraldes7848]

Always just the greatest channel 😊👍

[@nodaklojack]

Loved the ending 😂, brake lathe, fancy measuring tools, 3d printer ....

[@somerandomguy3868]

Great use of the 3D, really opens up a world of possiblitys, I'm always second guessing myself when it comes to preload on bearings, it's refreshing seeing someone with more experience

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

OLD SCHOOL ! I haven't seen a bearing packer like that or an Ammco brake drum/rotor lathe in almost 50 years. They still work great !

[@chrissmith7655]

And a guy with brains. Many thanks Wes from UK.

[@doylerabjohn3435]

Nice job.... I have a 'non serviceable axel "(no brakes on one & brakes on the other)", On a homemade trailer my Godfather made in the 1950's. Great video

[@eggsaladsandwhiches]

Love to see you make that 3d printed guide. I remeber I needed some wacky shaped spring compression tool to rebuild a 4r70w transmission. Could not find it anywhere. Not sure if anyone ever produced it. 3d printing saved the day on that one.

[@Belihah]

I feel like this channel would be a good candidate for a metal 3d printer

[@Mike-zl4zs]

Awesome to see the fusion of trusty know how and old techniques with modern tools like 3D printing. Its people who adapt to the new stuff that stay in business. Great video!

[@jackvia9282]

Something my dad did when we did drop brakes he would adjust the brake and he would mark the backing plate adjuster up or down for the adjuster it sure helped on them old trailers

[@josephcordoba938]

Thank you Wess, for another amazing video. You are definitely a resource mechanic and watching your videos is just a learning experience every time! Thank you for sharing! God Bless!

[@Asomesauc]

Really loved the video, thanks for sharing, Ever since I was a boy learning to do Drum breaks on a 94 Saturn, I have always enjoyed doing breaks on anything.

[@jdfmfb03]

Best video in a while🎉👍🏁🇺🇸keep em coming I am 65 and when I was 10 my dad learned me how to turn drums and a few years later rotors on Ammco lathes In college got edumcated on CNC lathes and mills I am glad you are using your 3D Printer I have no interest in learning that technology as I am retired But you go young man 👍👍

[@markcollins457]

Good video a mix of some really old technology and 3D printing. I never purchased a new trailer and watching you i realize im not cheap but as long as i have (NO MONEY) and half a brain I will use every tool i can at what ever the cost to do it myself thank you😊 From tool rich and money poor in New Jersey.

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

Looks like something that would be brought to me by a customer. Thanks Wes!!!

[@1965lostboy]

The fade out list of whats need ...........a classic gave ma a big smile , great videos Wes keep em coming

[@HODGEPODGEDODGEGARAGE]

Awesome job converting the brakes Wes 🙂👍 I've always wondered how difficult that would be. Also looks like you found some BBQ time. Be safe and happy wrenching 🔧🔩

[@WatchWesWork]

It’s not as bad as I thought it would be!

[@mlt6322]

@@WatchWesWork I had a 69 Chevelle come into the shop about 40 yrs ago in that condition. They had issues with wheel cylinders ripping out of the backing plates so the guy removed everything and was driving around on nothing but 2 rear axles with no brakes, no drums, nothing. He twisted the brake line from the frame down to the rear and soldered it closed. I refused to even work on it and reported it to the state police since it was being driven with only front brakes. I didn't want him on the same roads with my family.

[@Military-Museum-LP]

I will say it again Wes You are so lucky to have the drum machine!

[@kevinisaac9139]

Great video Wes very interesting never seen brakes like that before looking forward to seeing you wiring them up and testing 👍

[@PeterShaw-lb9lt]

They use them on most caravans and trailers

[@nopelindoputraperkasa5869]

very useful and inspiring..Excellent..Greetings from a traditional Indonesian gold prospector 🇮🇩⚒️⛏️👍👍

[@WatchWesWork]

Wow. Hope you find a lot!

[@josephking6515]

Now that I have seen the _trailer_ I am certainly looking forward to watching to full movie. 😁 The most modern pieces of equipment my school had was a Gestetner and Slide Rules. Ooo weee, fancy stuff. ✔✔

[@KensSmallEngineRepair]

Nice work on the 3D printed locating cup! Can’t wait til part 2!

[@mattbaker651]

Started doing this 30 yrs ago. Good to see someone put it on video. I never had a lathe though or a 3d printer..... cut the flange centers with a plasma cutter and measured. Brake shoes are self centering so as long as your within 1/16" you have no weird wear patterns.

[@mfc4591]

I love the look of those dust cap pliers. seem to work well too.

[@randypurtteman1183]

A "rail road" jack and Snap On dust cap tool. The jack has to be fifty years old. Great stuff. I'm editing this comment because of something you said. Ive heard you comment on this several times, so here is my two cents... It is obvious to anyone with even a semi functioning brain that you have been at this your entire life. Heck, your tools verify that. So instead of complaining perhaps people should just sit back and learn.

[@WatchWesWork]

It could be. Works great though.

[@RyJones]

Adapt, improvise, overcome!

[@ronicard]

I cannot figure out how this channel doesn't have close to a million subscribers. One of the best content channels on KZbin

[@adastraoverland]

Love you videos, always makes my day when I get that notification of an upload! Even if you have to pull back and do them less often to focus on actually making money for your family, will always enjoy them!

[@jerryreneau4072]

You're quite the wizard making custom tools for the job 3-D printing is pretty cool

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Sweet Wes is back dunnnuunu 😂 @Watch Wes Work

[@thehammermanduke]

My Dad built a 26 footer with 6 foot steel standers in the 1970's from scratch with 2 moblie home axles w/ electric brakes.😊 Good Stuff🎉🎉

[@tdkrei]

Nice work Wes and it helps to have some equipment like lathes and welders and of course a little smarts. Keep on smiling.

[@jimhancock5047]

If a trailer needs some wiring repairs, I have always found it best to rip all the old out and start fresh. Somebody has been there before you and used Scotch locks and all sorts of crap more than likely. 3D printing is super interesting tech!

[@tny-]

Awesome job with the 3d printer, thats exactly the kind of use case i find them most useful for, quick tool or jig making. Think about grabbing a 0.8mm nozzle for the printer, thicker layer height makes for stronger parts that print in literally half the time of a 0.4mm. You lose a bit of granular detail but i think it's a great tradeoff. Looks cool as hell gooping out a ton of plastic too.

[@butler386]

Excellent repair on this old trailer. Glad it was you and not me.

[@rjm7168]

When I was a kid, we had a pop-up tent trailer with hydraulic brakes. The hitch tongue was 2 pieces with parallel bars connecting them so that it all formed a 4 bar linkage. A short hydraulic cylinder was attached between the two parts if the tongue. When slowing down, the trailer momentum would cause the hydraulic cylinder to compress, sending fluid to the trailer brakes.

[@TheLtVoss]

That is actually the way it is done were I live (Germany and in German it is called "Auflaufbremse") the electronic break controller was new too me but for me it kinda is a unnecessary complexity that gives more points too fail and spreads the breaks over the trailer an vehicle instead of being contained in the trailer (service and inspections are better in that way)

[@PeterShaw-lb9lt]

What we called overide brakes OK on small trailers not overly strong but did the job

[@brianthesnail3815]

I loved the list of tools and equipment at the end gradually fading away. Yep. It always takes just a bit more than a welder but a good job done. Now that I never have to do anything like this ever again, I can watch others and just enjoy.

[@jeffburdess2237]

Just a heads up. As a fireman, in the last two years I’ve seen two 3D printers catch fire in basements of homes. One was using a laser, the other was your standard ender printer. I’d definitely keep the printer in your shop for overnight prints where you aren’t eyeing it the whole time. Just to be safe.

[@ThatPNWGuy2024]

The printer he bought is a much higher end printer than an ender and the other meh brands. The Prussia has thermal run away protections.

[@reubentalbott]

@@ThatPNWGuy2024the Ender series as of ~2 years ago all come with thermal runaway enabled, the problem is if the controller board crashes somehow, and prusa’s use the same firmware underneath. I would definitely trust a prusa more, but I personally would still have other safety measures in place.

[@Scott_From_Maine]

In the old, OLD days, they put a tee in the brake line under the hood and ran a line in under the dash to the controller. The Kelsey Hayes controller had a very mechanical lever sticking out for manual trailer brake application. The lever also moved whenever the brakes were pressed. That fascinated me as a kid.

[@seastacker8582]

The stuff you are doing with that 3D printer is super cool. It makes me realize how non-creative I am. I would miss all of these opportunities to use it.

[@GrumpyOldGrandfather]

Nothing like the sound of a burning plant and a grinders. As always excellent.

[@bluegrallis]

That was a lot more work than I expected. Great job! Now will we see a video on the wiring? Seems a lot of comments are looking forward to it?

[@WatchWesWork]

Maybe.

[@johanw9513]

I did my master on support software for stereolitography in 1994. The equivalent of what cost $150 grand back then can now be had for $500… Nice job.

[@WatchWesWork]

You can buy a functional 3d printer for $100. It's mind boggling.

[@wastelander69]

Great video and well done on the break's Mr Wes thank you for sharing oh and it wouldn't be a great video without Mrs Wes stay safe bro

[@hmbpnz]

The ending was just..... "chef's kiss"....perfection. Love your use of the 3D printer to make an alignment fixture. Awesome work, and from a fellow Illinoisan, as well.

[@p.d.nickthielen6600]

I remain humbled by the stuff you do. You are a man of many talents. If you ever want to work on an MG A let me know I have a noisy first gear that someday needs to be addressed. It might be an interesting video. Until then best wishes and thanks for sharing

[@gbentley8176]

Mr Dog made his stage left entrance late on this one; hope he got his share of the food. Thank you for posting. Best from the UK

[@danpags7023]

I've found great deals on trailers but walked away due to brakes. This is eye opening actually. I guess if you have the tools as I do and the willingness to take the time, , this would make those trailers viable. Thanks bud for the great video. As always great info!! 👍👍

[@gailtaylor1636]

Yep. Just slide under and see if the mounting flanges are intact. Love this channel.

[@glenward9764]

Wonderful work Wes ! Here in Australia, most caravans use electric brakes, so we are very familiar with them.