What are signs of improper brake shoe wear on trailers?

Answer: B — Uneven wear pattern, reduced braking efficiency, and grinding or squealing noises.

Improper brake shoe wear shows up when the braking system isn’t aligning and friction isn’t being used as designed. The best choice captures three clear signs: an uneven wear pattern, which points to misadjustment or dragging; reduced braking efficiency, meaning the shoes are thinner and can't grip the drum well; and grinding or squealing noises, which indicate metal-to-metal contact or loose components inside the brake. Together, these signals tell you the brakes aren’t operating correctly and need inspection or service. If you see an even wear pattern with quiet operation, that’s a sign the brakes are functioning properly. Brakes feeling too strong isn’t a typical wear indicator, and tires wearing unevenly relates more to wheel alignment, tire issues, or suspension, not directly to brake shoe wear.