Trailer brake question
More Turbo
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 655
Likes: 18
From: Randolph County NC
I pulled this link from the E trailer FAQ section. I think it addresses your question.
https://www.etrailer.com/question-13954.html
https://www.etrailer.com/question-13954.html
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
I pulled this link from the E trailer FAQ section. I think it addresses your question.
https://www.etrailer.com/question-13954.html
https://www.etrailer.com/question-13954.html
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I tried adjusting the brakes like the first said when I put them on. Apparently I didn't do a good job of this. So I am gonna go with the let them adjust themselves and see what happens. I have so slowly travelled roads around me. I think I will just take it for a spin and just go slow and apply the brakes on and off a lot. We will see how this works.
Steve
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
Not sure how long it will take them to adjust. But hopefully not terrible long? Would it be acceptable to turn up the controller higher to get them to adjust quicker or is that not a good idea? Or was that what you were saying ^ there?
Again I appreciate everyone's feedback.
Again I appreciate everyone's feedback.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,375
Likes: 1,860
From: Frederick, MD
I experienced much that same thing when I recently did my wheel bearings. Mine are self adjusting as well.
Upon putting it all back together without touching the brakes at all they were way backed off. I had brakes but barely.
I have towed with it and they are getting better.
Upon putting it all back together without touching the brakes at all they were way backed off. I had brakes but barely.
I have towed with it and they are getting better.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 2
From: Southern Cal
As I said before, check the heat or temperature per axle after driving a bit. Heat will destroy your shoes, not to mention, overheat the bearings.
Drive for 5 minutes and check the temperature of each hub, relative to the others.
It will tell you if one or more hub is over tightened.
Adjust and do it again, keeping the temps similar and yet feeling the effects of the brakes when applied. Again, expect about 160-165 degrees after a session.
Drive for 5 minutes and check the temperature of each hub, relative to the others.
It will tell you if one or more hub is over tightened.
Adjust and do it again, keeping the temps similar and yet feeling the effects of the brakes when applied. Again, expect about 160-165 degrees after a session.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
Well took the trailer for about a 70 mile round trip. The brakes have slowly started working again. We are back to squeaking again. So I am guessing I am gonna have to take them apart again and see what's going on.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Then you felt the brakes were not working very well, but gradually they started working again and now are as noisy as they were initially?
There is not much in that system. You have a pair of shoes rubbing against a drum when the brakes are activated by the brake controller.
Now that they are noisy again, would it make sense to raise one wheel at a time and see which one or ones is making the noise.
If any wheel is running so hot it is destructing, you can certainly smell it and you will not need an IR gun to measure the heat. It will feel plenty warm to the touch.
Certainly a puzzler.
Steve
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 2
From: Southern Cal
Most of this advice here, comes from previous pitfalls, trying to avoid what we've already experienced.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
I did the feel test. The driverside rear is on fire when I stop. The other three wheels are good to go. Don't understand how one wheel can adjust its self back to that point.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 2
From: Southern Cal
I'd start by backing off the drum adjuster wheel, ensuring you go the correct direction. Again as others have stated, raise the wheel off the ground and spin it while adjusting, ensuring you just have a very fine amount of drag or noise.
Buy an IR tester. Pretty cheap anywhere these days and safe another quick brake job.
Buy an IR tester. Pretty cheap anywhere these days and safe another quick brake job.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Is there a possibility something has broken loose or is not in place in that one wheel that is hanging up the shoe/s?
You did three correctly, why this one? Something is out of whack. I know it is a pain, but I would pull that one drum and take a look.
Steve
You did three correctly, why this one? Something is out of whack. I know it is a pain, but I would pull that one drum and take a look.
Steve