Trailer Brake Repair

Are the brakes on your semi-trailer not functioning the way they should? Blaine Brothers is here for you. Our highly skilled team of technicians is available 24/7/365 to serve you on the road or in the shop, helping you get back on the road quickly and safely.

Your Trusted Trailer Brake Repair Shop

Next time you’re in need of trailer brake repair, reach out to Blaine Brothers. With a trained team of experts standing by to serve you, you can trust we’ll get the job done the right way.

Brake Services

At Blaine Brothers, we recognize that your brakes are critical to your safety and if they’re not working properly, you could be putting your cargo – and yourself – at risk. That’s why we are 100 percent committed to providing you with the best trailer brake repair services in the industry at competitive prices. Whether your brake issues are simple or complicated, you can trust our team of expertly trained technicians who will take the time to understand and diagnose the problem and then handle the repairs using high-quality parts and products from the top manufacturers in the transportation industry. Plus, we pledge to get the job done correctly and on time so you can get back on the road as soon as possible. Why do we do all these things? It’s simply because we’ve done business this way since our founding in 1979 and it’s why so many customers come back to us time and time again when they need parts and repairs.

We’re proud to be part of the trucking and transportation community in Minnesota and Wisconsin and we look forward to continuing to provide excellent, honest and reliable service to the industry for many years to come. Come see us next time you need brake repairs and let us show you the Blaine Brothers difference. We think you’ll become our customer for life.

Brake Repair FAQS

How much does brake repair cost?

The total cost of brake repair will depend on not only where you have the service done, but what type of truck you have. The two main options for getting brakes repaired are getting them fixed at a truck stop and get them fixed at a shop by a mechanic. The brake repair cost of a truck with outboard drums will also be much less than one with inboard drums.

For those that would trust a truck stop to do it, a truck stop brake job will cost you about $200 – $250 per axle, for a total of around $500. Getting them done in a shop will often cost about $400 per axle, but you also have an actual mechanic looking at your wheels and brake systems, which is a valuable perk.

How often should you change your brakes on a semi-truck?

The brakes on a semi-truck should be changed before they suffer too much performance degradation from wear. In most cases, semi brake pads should be changed about every 30,000 miles, though this can change significantly depending on the conditions the brakes have seen. More frequent brake usage, such as mountainous or hilly terrain that requires constant brake use under extreme conditions, can reduce that lifespan down to 20,000 miles.

What causes brake failure in semi-truck?

There are many different causes behind brake failure in a semi, but most of them are due to a lack of proper maintenance or training deficiencies. If the system isn’t maintained well and inspected frequently, there can often be damage or wear to components that can reduce the brake’s lifespan.

Brake linings that are misaligned can reduce the stopping power of the whole system. Calipers that have become sticky from oil and debris can lead to brake dragging, which builds up friction and heat, contributing heavily to premature failure. Additional causes and contributing factors are fluid lines that leak and other mechanical issues that prevent the brakes from stopping effectively.

How long do commercial truck brakes last?

The length of time that commercial truck brakes last is highly dependent on the driving habits of the operator, as well as the difficulty of the miles they’re putting on their rig. Higher brake usage or usage while in extreme conditions can contribute to the brakes having more wear and tear, which reduces their lifetime.

Most brake pads on semi trucks should last for about 30,000 miles with relative reliability. However, if there are many driven miles that are in mountainous environments or areas with high heat, the performance will be reduced considerably. How long commercial truck brakes last also depends on the schedule of the operator and their routes. With full-time drivers putting 5,000 miles or more on in a week, they may need a brake job nearly once per month.

What causes brake drums to crack?

Many things can cause brake drums to crack. In most cases, the cracks are caused by excessive heating and cooling of the brake drum itself while the truck is in operation. Cracked drums can be visually verified and are sufficient reason to take a truck off the road for repair. Some cracks, like heat checking, can be worn away with brake usage, but more serious cracks require the drum to be replaced.

Contact Us Today

Fill out the form on this page to make a request. Leave as much information as possible so we can serve you best the first time. Thanks for considering Blaine Brothers, we look forward to working with you!


Blaine, MN

763.780.5130

10011 Xylite Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55449

Cloquet, MN

218.879.6681

1325 Hwy 45
Cloquet, MN 55720

Clearwater, MN

320.558.9966

750 Heaton BLVD
Clearwater, MN 55320

Baldwin, WI

715.688.2404

2500 Alreich Ave
Baldwin, WI 54002

Truckaline

763.786.8863

9515 150th Avenue NE
Columbus, MN 55025