Failed lining on a Dexter drum - under 3k miles!

[truckin-on]

I'm installing disc brakes on my 2019 311BHS. On the way back from the last trip I noticed that the brakes seemed "grabby" in traffic. No strange noise however - at least that I noticed from the truck. To my surprise, this is what I found upon removal of the left front hub. Rear shoe completely gone, 1/8" groove in the drum, chunks of the lining running around in there! Only 2500 miles on these. Sure glad I'm going with disc brakes - nothing hiding anywhere with them. Install now done, ready for a road test.

MAIN TAKE-AWAY - CHECK THOSE BRAKES!

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[Soundsailor]

Ouch! I'm glad you got those off before you had real trouble with them.

 

[Riverbug]

I've been adjusting our drum brakes after bearing maintenance and fixing a wire that had been shorting against the spindle. I'm having trouble getting them to provide much braking in addition to the truck. I have the gain turned all the way up and can use the brake controller to try to slow us down but it hardly feels like they are doing anything. Definitely does not bring us to a stop at a light. I know there has to be a problem somewhere, but haven't figured it out. Still on our first trip of the season so maybe I'll get it yet.

I've been thinking about upgrading the axles/wheels down the road. Curious if you would be installing disc brakes yourself or if that's a job for a shop? I do 90% of repairs and maintenance myself but haven't looked into disc brakes. Wonder if that's a worthwhile upgrade while I'm at it if I decided to upgrade axles and such...