Trailer brake issue
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 562
From: Black Hills of SD
Trailer brake issue
After having the dealership repack the wheel bearings on our 5th wheel, I noticed the trailer brakes are not working as they should. I plan to call the dealer but wanted to pick everyone's brain first. I did not change any settings on my brake controller in the truck.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 562
From: Black Hills of SD
EDIT: 2nd thought, I think I'll just jack up each wheel and check the adjusters instead of the hassle of getting it back to the dealer! Appreciate the info.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,670
Likes: 668
From: DeMotte, IN
EDIT: 2nd thought, I think I'll just jack up each wheel and check the adjusters instead of the hassle of getting it back to the dealer! Appreciate the info.[/QUOTE]
Probably a better choice. Will most likely find the problem and know it was remedied correctly!
Probably a better choice. Will most likely find the problem and know it was remedied correctly!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 410
Good decision imo. It might be the adjusters, it might be grease inside one of the brakes. If you can, and you have an IR temp gun, take temps of wheels after you tow. This often signals problem wheels or brakes / bearings. I carry a IR gun always, it's my wifes job at stops to hit all wheels and report anything odd, or truck too.
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: Black Hills of SD
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Fleet Mechanic
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Good luck.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Black Hills of SD
Update: Got the 5th wheel last Friday. Dealer said that they tightened them some but said that they were close to start and said that they didn't back them off when they repacked the bearings. When I towed it home, I could tell they were better, but not like they were before I went to the dealer. I'm not happy with how they are and need to investigate more. I've decided to adjust them myself. These are Dexter axles and I'm hearing they are self adjusting. However, when I YouTube them, I'm seeing videos on how to tighten them up by jacking up the wheel and access the drum from the back. Anyone know of any self adjustment on these?
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Dexter has both self-adjusting and manual adjusting brake options. Both have the brake spoon access holes in the backing plate, so I don't really know how to tell which you have without pulling a drum. I much prefer the manual adjust personally.
One thing I know that often gets neglected on trailer brakes is the wear surface on the drum for the magnet. In my experience drums wear out on that area, which is called the armature, than they do on the actual radial brake shoe area. I would take a close look at the armature area and magnet faces. As well as the obvious grease on the shoes potential.
One thing I know that often gets neglected on trailer brakes is the wear surface on the drum for the magnet. In my experience drums wear out on that area, which is called the armature, than they do on the actual radial brake shoe area. I would take a close look at the armature area and magnet faces. As well as the obvious grease on the shoes potential.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,613
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From: Black Hills of SD
Dexter has both self-adjusting and manual adjusting brake options. Both have the brake spoon access holes in the backing plate, so I don't really know how to tell which you have without pulling a drum. I much prefer the manual adjust personally.
One thing I know that often gets neglected on trailer brakes is the wear surface on the drum for the magnet. In my experience drums wear out on that area, which is called the armature, than they do on the actual radial brake shoe area. I would take a close look at the armature area and magnet faces. As well as the obvious grease on the shoes potential.
One thing I know that often gets neglected on trailer brakes is the wear surface on the drum for the magnet. In my experience drums wear out on that area, which is called the armature, than they do on the actual radial brake shoe area. I would take a close look at the armature area and magnet faces. As well as the obvious grease on the shoes potential.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 42
Likes: 17
From: SE Mich
One of the ways that I check that all of my trailer brakes are working is to use the manual trailer brake controller to slow the vehicle. After doing this a couple times, immediately pull into a parking lot and use a laser temp gun to check the temp of all the trailer brake drums. They all should be close to each other. If one or more drums are cooler than the others, then it is not working as well. It might have grease on the shoes, may need adjusting, or could have a wiring issue. Over the years, I have seen all of these issues. Grease can get in there if a grease seal goes bad. Or I have had the wires break right where they go into the magnet (looks ok, but no current). Good luck.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,686
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From: Wyoming
FWIW...
Jacking up the tire and activating the brake controller is not a good test if the brake shoes are covered with grease. I ran this test myself yesterday. Almost no actual braking on the road but the brake will easily stop the drum when the tire is off the ground. The shoes had enough grease on them that they needed to be replaced.
Jacking up the tire and activating the brake controller is not a good test if the brake shoes are covered with grease. I ran this test myself yesterday. Almost no actual braking on the road but the brake will easily stop the drum when the tire is off the ground. The shoes had enough grease on them that they needed to be replaced.