Why Do Caravan Brakes Squeal?

[@TravellingK]

A surprise extra video this week! This is actually while I was in the New Forest. Enjoy 😀

[@aidanvanweert993]

love it thanks

[@nanabettyg]

Your service tech was extremely kind and very nice to explain each step, I give him a 👍!

[@englishmaninfrance661]

He didn't know what he was talking about

[@TravellingK]

Yes, I’m grateful that Karl was happy to be filmed... I did spring it on him

[@thomascatford2627]

@@TravellingK your man new what he was doing everybody has different ways

[@Bashfuldoc]

Glad to see you enjoying yourself even while doing vehicle maintenance!

[@TravellingK]

I learnt a lot! So interesting

[@del5.0]

What a nice person to help you...

[@TravellingK]

Yes! Particularly since I sprang the filming on him 🤣

[@waynecompton7612]

Good morning Karen, Thank you for the video and Take Care 👍😎🇬🇧.

[@TravellingK]

You’re welcome 😇

[@tonymurphy528]

Another interesting video Karen, thanks for posting.

[@TravellingK]

Glad you found it interesting!

[@lyn1337]

Thanks for sharing! 290NM wew, that's alot.

[@TravellingK]

Glad you found it interesting!

[@bicanoo_magic3452]

OMG> Travelling Kate has become an international star!! Havne't visited you for a long while.. last I saw was in NZ... This is even MORE interesting...

[@TravellingK]

Haha I’ve been jumping all over the place!

[@jamesmgreen15]

Thanks for the vid. Pretty much standard stuff replacing the cheap jockey wheel it comes with and brakes that are going to do that without that treatment.................Is what it is but overall looks a nice van and glad you seemed to generally enjoy your trip.

[@TravellingK]

The jockey wheel was such an easy change 🤣🤣 I found it so interesting to see the brakes like that.

[@vicmiller7191]

Nice educational video...thanks for sharing...Vic

[@TravellingK]

Glad you enjoyed it Vic!

[@gkuk]

Hi Karen, Great little video on how to, Hope you are well. ATB Glen 👋

[@TravellingK]

Glad you enjoyed it 😀

[@koshtie]

Hi Karen good video, but the guy called the brake linings pads! there shoes when there in a drum set-up pads on disc brakes! ATB Wayne.

[@millomweb]

English failure ;) "They're" shoes, not 'there' !

[@TravellingK]

Oh good to know!

[@tomthumb3085]

FYI. They’re not brake pads, they’re brake shoes and the friction area is called the lining, not the pad. Could be confusing when you go to the motor factors for future replacements.

[@TravellingK]

Thanks for the tip 😀

[@andrewclarke5051]

Hi you could not have gone to a best caravan Service Center I'm disabled avonbridge and Carl the owner is one the nices person I've ever had dealings with regarding caravan servicing and repairs he always explain S every thing to me IE I always learn fore thing from him thanks anvonbridge all the help you give me regarding my caravan Carl I think of you as good friend many thanks Andy ( disabled caravan user)

[@TravellingK]

Ah that’s so nice to hear! I was very impressed 😀

[@silashouse1054]

Kaiora mi, presented well I enjoyed the content. Regards John from NZ

[@TravellingK]

Thanks John! Glad you enjoyed 😀

[@runningpanda6570]

"Grease to ease on the nut" I'm changing my tyres and wanted to clean breaks etc to stop the squeaks :) I have read NOT to grease the thread of the "one shot nut" not even with mineral grease? I'm very confused..."To grease or not to grease" So many professionals are stating to do this and not to....What is the correct answer? Thank you.

[@colmone5592]

Squealing is often caused by light braking. What it does is glaze the linings and even the drums. It generates a lot of heat without slowing you down much. Where this is the case some hard braking will cure it. Wherever possible use short bursts of heavier braking. It sounds wrong but it works.

[@TravellingK]

I’ve heard about short braking when going down a steep hill?

[@colmone5592]

@@TravellingK Yes. Never keep the brake pressed lightly. Use short bursts of harder braking.

[@sparkles9868]

reminds me of my grease monkey days and love £10 for every brakes i have changed as be be well off. If your car has drum brakes (same as caravan brakes in video) you can do the same if they squeak but i was always taught to use copper grease on certain parts of brakes to stop them squeaking

[@TravellingK]

I’d never seen what the drum brakes actually looked like - fascinating!

[@sparkles9868]

@@TravellingK similar idea to bicycle brakes as in they grab the wheel and cause friction and heat to stop them

[@CaravanningwiththeCoxs]

Nice one Karen. If you tune into my live stream on Friday. You will see what happened to our brakes... shocking!

[@TravellingK]

Oh I’ll have a look!!

[@johninokla2635]

As someone has already said don't get grease on the brake pads because your brakes won't work if you do. Well, they will work they just won't stop the caravan and that is why you have brakes. Just clean and grease the moving parts of the brakes. Most of the time when my brakes make a squealing noise they need replacing as you have metal against metal and no brake pads. I hope all that jabbering makes sense. 😟

[@tomcollier2444]

Caravan brake shoes will last ten times the life of most vans, you've done some seriously high mileage to wear caravan shoes down to the rivets. Personally, I wouldn't put ANY 'lubricant' anywhere near brake drums.

[@TravellingK]

Good point about not having grease near the brake pads!

[@4aneme8R]

Trailer manufacturers have chosen to use drum brakes (less expensive) rather than disc, There are conversion kits for some axles. In the US most of us have drum that are electrically activated.

[@thomascatford2627]

Yes and they are not much good ive worked on them on old 5th wheelers

[@TravellingK]

So interesting how different it is in the US!

[@garth2876]

I've got to check the brakes on my caravan before summer, must order a set of the nuts to replace them

[@millomweb]

Bollox ! It's just sales patter ! The old nuts will be fine !

[@millomweb]

@darren simon They ought to be left hand thread on the left hand side. Proper companies put split pins through theirs to make sure they don't come loose ! An option would be a locknut, too.

[@garth2876]

They may be fine, but without knowing the run down torque specification to check for it is hard to tell.We use similar style nuts in the Aircraft maintenance industry, and critical nuts are specified as single use for the same reason.For the low price of new ones, I certainly will be replacing them, as there is no secondary locking device on this style of hub

[@millomweb]

@@garth2876 Use a threadlock compound on them if you like. Thought with aircraft everything serious was secured with locking wire !

[@TravellingK]

Oh good luck! I’m a little nervous about doing mine. Hmm there was a good reason why they’re one use... would be helpful if I could remember why!

[@CharlesinGA]

There are two different types of wheel bearings. It appears that your caravan had the more modern cartridge type bearings. They are sealed, and cannot be greased, and require a fairly high torque to retain the hub. Many, actually most travel trailers (and other types of trailers in the US also) use the older, tried and true, tapered roller bearings. These are greased individually and placed in the hub and the entire hub and bearings installed on the spindle. They are tightened to seat the bearings and then loosened and then re tightened only slightly, usually done by feel, with virtually no actual torque. In fact tapered roller bearings are better off with a couple of thousands of an inch freeplay, than being over tightened, which will destroy them. The nuts on these bearings use either cotter pins or lock tabs to keep them from coming loose. There are lots of bearing failures on trailers with tapered bearings, as few people maintain them or install them properly.

[@TravellingK]

That’s interesting. I wasn’t aware there is another type of wheel bearing 😀

[@Venomator.]

How fortuitous this vlog Karen, thank you! Our Coachman is due back to the dealer (yet again) for, among other things, having the brake squeal addressed, again. I hope they go to that much trouble to resolve it for us... 🤷🏼‍♂️ Tell me, did it solve the problem on the Bailey though... 🤔 Cheers, Rog... 👍🏻 😉 🐍

[@TravellingK]

Oh I hope it goes ok for you! Yes, no squeals for the rest of the trip 😀

[@Venomator.]

Travelling K - Thanks K, I’ll let you know when we eventually manage to get it in for sorting... ✅ 👍🏻 😉

[@bicanoo_magic3452]

Just replace the drums with discs and never ever look back. Drum brakes are such a hassle and require constant maintenance. They squeal when they get even a few specks of dust (exaggeration), and they are prone to cylinder leaks and they can 'pull' to one side when either the cylinder or the linings are worn. They need to be constantly cleaned to be at their best. At the very least sleeve the cylinders with stainless steel and use a quality rubber grease on assembly but seriously just get rid of the things.

[@karlharvey7589]

The brakes shoes were replaced on the off side as as they were the problem. We are approved by bailey and alko, this job was arranged by bailey. This was for us to investigate and report any problems found. Not everything we done is on the video as it would be lengthy.

[@TravellingK]

Yes, the brake shoes on the other side were replaced. I was very impressed by your knowledge and thank you for letting me film that day 😀

[@26DR715]

You would normally put a bit of copper slip on the back of the brake shoes to stop them from making a noise when braking.

[@roymichaeldeanable]

Never never never put Copper Grease or any other grease on the back of brake shoes...just totally unnessary and could cause a serious issue

[@TravellingK]

Hmmm interesting to hear

[@IkeBrider]

Brake squeal is caused by a build up of brake dust within the hub and contaminating the surface of the brake friction linings. This causes a micro vibration as the brakes are applied and the resulting squeal. Personally, I would never use a grease of any kind on the mating surfaces of brake components. I would deglaze the surface of the brake linings and drums with emery paper and clean all components with brake cleaning fluid, allow to dry and rebuild. If I opened up a set of brakes and found that much grease, I would recommend a change of mechanic.

[@roymichaeldeanable]

The squealing is nothing to do with copper grease and the activation points...but never mind....as long as the pads grip when you brake everything is fine

[@TravellingK]

Sounds like it’s dust, grease or damaged brake pads?

[@jackjones5314]

Just don't get lube on the surface of the brake shoe or where the shoe rides inside the drum.

[@TravellingK]

Oh good tip! That really would affect the brakes 🤭

[@TheInterflex]

This is a warranty item for the Alko chassis. You should have returned to a Bailey dealer. I’ve just had mine replaced (under warranty) on a 2019 Bailey , they were howling when they got warm.

[@TravellingK]

Bailey organised my visit 😀

[@dinas21]

Do not grease the thread of the one shot nut it gives a false reading on the torque settings, got this info from alko.!

[@mickyjb2003]

Looks like a reasonably easy job next time out.

[@TravellingK]

My worry is he made it look easier than it is 🤣

[@thomascatford2627]

What was the torque setting on the hub nut didnt look like it took much effort to tighten 214 lbs/ft

[@paulefc1971]

290NM

[@thomascatford2627]

@@paulefc1971 did not take much effort to get that torque , i do these everyday

[@paulefc1971]

Thomas Catford I have seen other videos and it did look very easy - or he could just like Spinach 😂😂😂

[@TravellingK]

I edited nicely 🤣

[@paulefc1971]

Travelling K ahhh trying to make him look like superman 😂

[@simon4043]

I'd hate for any of that grease to get between the brakes shoes and drum. You'd never be able to stop.

[@noproblem2big337]

I don't mind if the brakes on my caravan make a bit of noise at least I know they are doing their job...

[@TravellingK]

I’ve personally been wondering why mine made a noise... so curious to see if it’s the brake pads!

[@noproblem2big337]

@@TravellingK ...has the grease and clean made any difference?

[@mikemlw]

Travelling K same with stabilisers i would be happy to put up with the noise i then know its doing its job.

[@MrPerry61]

do your brakes squeak when you apply your brakes? or do the squeal during braking while slowing? I'm not sure he's correct. Here in the States you hear big truck trailer brakes squealing and it's from over heated brakes that have "Crystalised" the brake drums. The fix is new brake shoes and resurfacing or replacing the brake drum. Just my opinion, I'm not a mechanic but I've driven over a million miles in lorries

[@TravellingK]

It does sound like those outer brakes can become damaged and that also causes the squeal.

[@altacat9702]

Cool : )

[@stephenlittle7534]

Course you can. Your tuffer then you look. Girl.

[@TravellingK]

Wonder if I’ll start then get stuck 🤣

[@christopherrasmussen8718]

Drum brakes in the US. Done many. Man knows his stuff. They are not too hard. I suggest an old school book a few tools and you can do it. I can say one thing that is important and not readily apparent. The brake shoe. One is longer than the other. The short one always is towards the front. You get them backwards, the car will stop and not move again till its fixed. www.lesschwab.com/article/complete-guide-to-disc-brakes-and-drum-brakes.html www.2carpros.com/questions/2001-gmc-safari-rear-brake-shoes-short-pad-long-on-each-metal-shoe-does-towards

[@iritantNL]

Of course you can!

[@TravellingK]

haha see how I go!

[@Paulman50]

The only thing that will put the spanner in the works doing it yourself is that you will need torque wrench. Corectally setting that lock nut is important. The bigger torque wrenches are $500 +. Borrowing one is the best bet.

[@romeowhiskey1146]

How MUCH was this little 'service'?

[@TravellingK]

Bailey organised the visit - I just turned up, then asked to film 🤣

[@corvair140]

Sorry, but that was a lesson in, 'how not to use copper grease on brakes'. Dust and glazed shoes/drums cause squealing.

[@iandodd14]

Exactly. Use abrasive paper on the shoe lining and the inside of the drum to deglaze them, then spray the cleaner. In all my years in the trade, this usually fixed the squealing.

[@corvair140]

@@iandodd14 Agreed, being doing this last 30 years as a main dealer tech, works 99% of the time unless the shoes or pads are goosed. That copper grease was a bodge at best. Yuk.

[@TravellingK]

It’s interesting to hear about other ways to fix this.

[@karlharvey7589]

@@corvair140 The brake shoes on the near side were cleaned up and found to be in good condition, the brake shoes on the off side were replace not seen in the video.

[@mickkingston1450]

I hope baily paid for break check hun 😎

[@TravellingK]

All organised by Bailey 😀

[@michaelhodges2448]

We’ve had problems with brake shoes on caravan and now they’ve upgraded them On warranty I serpose he didn’t know that you’re must not be one of them

[@TravellingK]

I heard about that... I do wonder if this check was under warranty?

[@soreeyesuk]

This is a general problem for the last few years that are thought to be a issue with the brake material . Just a Google caravan brake squeal . www.caravantalk.co.uk/community/topic/129674-brake-squeaks-squealing-201718-alko-axle/#comments

[@tomcollier2444]

Copper slip grease INSIDE a brake drum. Not on my van, no way! One tiny bit transfers to the shoes and brake efficiency will be significantly diminished.

[@thomascatford2627]

Have to disagree with you a spot of copper grease applied corectly to the moving parts auto reverse mechanism, expanders and edge of shoes where they sit on adjusters and anchors are no where near the brake lining and will let the brakes operate smoothly squeal is caused by brake dust and glazed drums as linings no longer contain asbestos

[@thomascatford2627]

@darren simon im an old timer motor mechanic turned caraven engineer 20 yrs ago i agree with you most people on here have not got a clue i like a laugh at some of the stuff posted but its like cars everbody is an expert

[@tomcollier2444]

@darren simon Alko can 'approve' all they want, I won't be doing it on my van.

[@tomcollier2444]

@@thomascatford2627 Let's agree to disagree then. I've towed vans and trailers for forty years, NEVER had an issue with squealing brakes. Nor for that matter on any of my cars. You do it your way, I'll do it mine, dude.

[@tomcollier2444]

@darren simon That's the biggest load of tosh I've ever read about car or caravan brakes. A 'dab' of copper slip will not stop shoes rubbing on a hub, the locking springs do that, if a shoe rubs on the hub, they've not been installed correctly. 5 spots of copper slip on the side of a brake shoe! Jesus wept are you insane lad! BTW they're brakes, not breaks. Brakes stop your car/van , Breaks are what happens to your car/van when you apply copper slip to the brake drum mechanism. I've worked in garages on cars vans and trailers all my life, never ever applied copper slip to drum mechanisms, never ever had squealing, overheating or scoring. Catford, stop your churlish comments about you being a self proclaimed expert, it doesn't add nowt to your argument!

[@stevechurchman1824]

You will need a heavy duty torque wrench for this job. Personally I’d leave it to a professional.

[@stevechurchman1824]

I didn’t mean to suggest that you were not. Karen was saying she may do the brakes on her own caravan back in NZ. All I was saying was that she should get a professional company in NZ to do it for her.

[@TravellingK]

I have been wondering about my strength... might need a hand!

[@Pandora882]

Don't use an airline to blow away Asbestos dust!

[@TravellingK]

There’s asbestos dust?!?!

[@Pandora882]

Travelling K yes in brake linings they use asbestos so you have to take care

[@scotiajinker8392]

Common fault on this years alko chassis

[@TravellingK]

I eventually learnt that!

[@Mr_Judge_Benny_Hinn]

Always check your brakes or you'll end up buying new underwear...brakes and tires should be checked yearly!

[@TravellingK]

Brakes are pretty important 🤣

[@edmundblackaddercoc8522]

Spray them with wd40.... no don't jk.

[@millomweb]

Changing the jockey wheel - should have gone to a professional - they'd have just changed the (£5) wheel and not the whole (£50)thing ! Prices: random guesses. Is typical of how cowboy people work. On the bright side, didn't change the whole van ! At least he was on the right lines with solving the squeal ! Give a man a spray can and he's happy.

[@millomweb]

@darren simon Warranty isn't supposed to cover user errors ! Even so, more was changed than necessary.

[@millomweb]

@darren simon I know that bit of irrelevant information.

[@millomweb]

@darren simon If that's what Bailey wanted. Doesn't look on on the part of the repair shop though.

[@TravellingK]

Bailey had sent out the jockey wheel I believe? And I thought the company was very knowledgeable 😀 Thank you Darren

[@millomweb]

@@TravellingK The plot thickens ! Did they get the old one back ????????

[@englishmaninfrance661]

Ok , I see why you changed your jockey wheel . NEVER , EVER , lubricate brakes . They will simply stop working when lubed . Your so called mechanic is an idiot . I've worked on (my own ) cars for 50 years, and never greased brakes

[@thomascatford2627]

Any moving mechanical part requires lubrication

[@TravellingK]

Gosh, I think he knew what he was doing. Does seem that everyone has different thoughts on this subject though 😀