I hope I have this in the correct section.
I am not a car guy, so I could really use some help.
I have yet to extend my boat trailer hitch so my truck wouldn't have too back in so far. Well, when we splashed last Saturday, as I was backing it down the ramp, my truck brakes banged and jumped, and did some strange kind of grinding noise. I thought that sinking about 4" of the brakes had seized them, and possibly one or two if the springs had broken.
I took them apart today.

While they are definitely rusty, everything is where it is supposed to be, there is lots left on the shoes, and the inside of the drums where the shoes ride are as smooth and shiny as a mirror. I don't get it. The front has discs and they are in excellent condition, but the sounds are coming from the back wheels. Any thoughts?
Also, I removed two of the rubber plugs where the adjusters are. Should I replace them, or should I leave them off to let any water escape easier than out past the drum?

Which leads to my topic question: Is there any difference between what my brakes go through when the roads are salted and when backing into the ocean to launch the boat? Does one do more harm than the other, or are they about the same? Wish I could hose them off after each splash, but I'm not sure how.
I am not a car guy, so I could really use some help.
I have yet to extend my boat trailer hitch so my truck wouldn't have too back in so far. Well, when we splashed last Saturday, as I was backing it down the ramp, my truck brakes banged and jumped, and did some strange kind of grinding noise. I thought that sinking about 4" of the brakes had seized them, and possibly one or two if the springs had broken.
I took them apart today.

While they are definitely rusty, everything is where it is supposed to be, there is lots left on the shoes, and the inside of the drums where the shoes ride are as smooth and shiny as a mirror. I don't get it. The front has discs and they are in excellent condition, but the sounds are coming from the back wheels. Any thoughts?
Also, I removed two of the rubber plugs where the adjusters are. Should I replace them, or should I leave them off to let any water escape easier than out past the drum?

Which leads to my topic question: Is there any difference between what my brakes go through when the roads are salted and when backing into the ocean to launch the boat? Does one do more harm than the other, or are they about the same? Wish I could hose them off after each splash, but I'm not sure how.
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