[ThirdCharm]

Trailer had a broken wire on the electric brake magnet on one wheel. One set of brake shoes was pretty thin (opposite side). The trailer repair place told me my brakes were 'completely shot' and I needed new EVERYTHING (hubs, drums, brakes) to the tune of $1600. Picked up trailer, nothing wrong with hubs or drums (did not even need to be turned, barely worn), replaced backing plates (which includes shoes and magnets) since it was already torn apart in my driveway, retail about $250.

Questioning the dealership revealed it is 'company policy' to replace EVERYTHING on brake systems if there is any problem, because otherwise you don't get 100% brake performance and people complain. I was also told it was "extremely dangerous" not to.

Is this generally policy at trailer repair companies, or did I just get lucky?

Best of all (after charging $200 for disassembling and reassembling) they didn't adequately tighten the lugs on one wheel and between the dealership and home (about 20 miles) two lug nuts disappeared, two sheared half off and only four loose nuts were holding the wheel on. That's real safe.....

Jennifer

[hosspuller]

That would be the last time THAT dealership ever saw my money.

[babyeventer23]

If you don't mind, could you post or PM the particular repair place? Would like to know where to steer clear of when I need work done...

[ThirdCharm]

PM sent

Jennifer

[MtyMax]

Please PM me the name as well. I DON'T want to go there!

[Puddin Pie]

Jennifer, please PM me as well. Thanks.

[myforx4]

Is this place north east of Charlotte?

[betsyk]

My dad was a mechanic and he always said if he found a problem with brakes, he was obligated (by law? By ethics?) to fix all of it, then and there. I can also see the rationale for doing both sides at the same time. But leaving the wheels improperly attached so you'd have to bring it back... Just no.

[ThirdCharm]

Had to replace the hub/drum on the wheel they didn't tighten properly because the wobbling wheel tore up the hub.... So, new backing plates all around 200 actually ($250 included their markup over retail), new hubs//drums $280, same top brand parts. 2 1/2 hrs labor. At $100/hr, that is about $700. WTH does $1600 come from?

It is NE of Charlotte, yes. I have a veritable collection horror stories that people have private message to me now regarding the same shop!

[myforx4]

Good to know, thank you!!