size of brake shoes and drum on a 2955 montana??

[rmk123]

Hope someone knows this one--considering doing the "backing plate,,shoes,,electric actuator replacement thing"---but need to know what to order if we do that-----Thanks, Ron

[dieselguy]

12 X 2"

[rmk123]

Thanks Dieselguy---should I get underneath and confirm with a tag on the axel,,or just pull the tire and drum?--By the way ,,have you ever done the replacement with buying new backing plates???? Cheers, Ron

[rohrmann]

I just did mine this past fall. We have the Level up, so loosened all the lug nuts, jacked the whole rig up with the hydraulics. Just a matter of removing the wheels and drums, cut the wires behind the backing plate, remove the assemblies, install the new ones and torque the nuts to what the paper says in the box. Splice the wires, they are not polarity sensitive. If the drums need turning, and this includes the surface that the magnet contacts, now is the time, but be aware that not many auto shops can turn the magnet surface, so you should call around first. Once you are ready, repack the bearings and assemble. Ours are the auto adjusting assemblies, so I just get the shoes adjusted close, and the brakes self adjust within 5 miles as we come off the mountain. I replaced all the bearings this time with Made in USA Timkens, so hopefully they will hold up better than the stock Chinese bearings.

[dieselguy]

Pretty much like Bob eluded to ... most all fivers our size have 12" X 2" whether manual or never adjust design. I've not had any issue with stock bearings on any of my fivers since 2000, so replacement is up to you. Clean, inspect, and repack with new seals works for me. Like said the backing plate brake assys are the way to go price wise and labor wise. After taking off the tires and wheels, 5 bolts and two wires and they are off. I would solder the wires back ... just a better connection ... again your choice. Adjust them up to a slight drag while spinning after the wheels are back on even if they are auto adjusters. Read up on breaking in a new set of shoes as far as burnishing them in. I've done several fivers this way ... ETrailer.com is about as cheap as any for Dexter assys.