Indespension - which brake shoes

[stuart_mcgill]

Indespension trailer... about 3 years old.

Can anyone help identify these shoes please and where the best (and cheapest!) place to buy them is? No rush... just before next year!

I also need new bowden cables and was probably going to upgrade to stainless if anyone can help on that too?

Thanks

Stuart

[Trailer Guy]

Likely Alko 2051 shoes. They're certainly standard Alko shoes. Look on the outer lip of the backplate (round the edge) and there'll be a series of wording and numbers. If there's a number on there, amongst the lettering, like "2051" then that will be your shoes size.

The '20' bit denotes a 200mm drum size and the '51' bit denotes the shoe width, i.e. 51mm.

If you want to identify the cables, there'll be yellow lettering on the black, outer, sheath. Again, within the series of i.d. letters and numbers, there'll be a cable length - something like "1130" or similar. That will be the cable length - 1130mm.

With Alko cables a black sheath means normal, mild steel and a red sheath means stainless steel.

Happy shopping

[stuart_mcgill]

Thanks Trailer Guy.

I've put it all back together now but left the pads off... is it possible to tell what size without taking it to bits again?! Or can the drum be measured from the rear?

I'll check the numbers on the cables too... they're black at the moment. Currently hanging inside trying to get oil to run down them. Whats the best way of freeing them off? They do move but our stiff. Am I best to replace?

[stuart_mcgill]

I have the following numbers on the pad:

32 J 10
384294

On the cables I have 2260ALKO, 247294 & HL890

The cables are 1100mm long.

?!

Thanks in advance.

[Trailer Guy]

Hi Stuart

You have 890mm long cables. The cables are measured on the black outer sheath length, rather than the over all cable length - I suspect that's what you've measured?

Ref the info for the shoes - a picture paints a thousand words and all that!...



Does that help?

[stuart_mcgill]

Thanks Trailer guy...

The Indespension part ISBR 221 that I understand is Alko part 2051 which is 200mm diameter and 50 mm wide.

I've not checked the cable length again but they have freed off slightly by letting oil run down them....

Is it worth upgrading to Stainless? Our local place said he didn't think they were much different that surprised me?

[stuart_mcgill]

Oh, and where would you recommend getting the parts from (online)?

[Trailer Guy]

Surprises me too. They're fitted as OE equipment on a lot of new trailers, due to the fact that they are superior. Conversely, there's not a huge difference in price now. Standard, mild steel, cables are around £13ea and stainless are circa £17ea. Also the stainless ones now come with stainless securing nuts too (the nut that secures them to the centre axle plate), which are always a pita to remove; you often end up cutting them off, if they need replacing, as they've rusted solid.

I'd keep the ones you've oiled as a spare set, but I feel replacing the shoes with new ones and then fitting slightly impared cables would negate any benefit of the new shoes. If they start sticking again you'll wear through your new brake shoes quickly, as well as the brakes sticking etc. You'll kick yourself for not spending the extra thirty five-ish quid.

Go for the stainless option. An Alko axle set is around £55 - £60 a set. This will include shoes and retaining springs for both drums.

Happy to pm you a quote if you'd like.

All the best.

[stuart_mcgill]

Trailer Guy - yes, a quote would be good if you have a competitive source. For shoes and stainless cables.

Thanks.

[Trailer Guy]

Done