Do Grease Seals Need to be Replaced When Changing Out Brake Shoes on a 12k Dump Trailer  

Expert Reply:

As long as the seals are in good condition, you should not need to change them out in order to replace your current brake shoes, because the assembly itself will stay mounted and the seal would come off with the hub drum.

As a suggestion, however, while you have your hub drum off to replace the shoes, I would also just go ahead and repack your bearings. If you did this you would have to replace the seal, but with the amount of usage it sounds like your trailer is getting, it would be a good idea, if just to avoid future bearing problems.

I have included a link to a video that will walk you through changing out your brake shoes, as well as one demonstrationg how you would repack your bearings, if needed.