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HeathJohnson's avatar
HeathJohnson
Explorer
Jul 20, 2014

Yikes No Brakes... HELP... New Axle..

Last season I ended up losing a whole wheel. I ended up putting a whole new axle under the trailer and all of my electrical is still working with the exception of my brakes.

I took pictures before taking the old axle off, have it wired up I'm 99% sure the same way but I have not brakes. I've also tried hooking to another truck with a known good brake controller and still no dice...

We're supposed to head out next weekend toward Yellowstone and there are some pretty steep hills coming home. I can just put my truck in a lower gear and let her hold back the camper going down the hill but honestly I would rather have this rectified.

I tested them before putting the wheels back on the axle and putting the camper on the ground and they seem to be working fine when i did that, however once she was back on the ground, I get nothing... Bupkis... I've been under there I don't have wires pinched anywhere nothing is being pulled or strained as far as wiring goes that I can see.

Any help?

6 Replies

  • I don't think the axle is directional (can be put on backwards) But the backing plates could be put on the wrong way or wrong side. Pull the wheel and drum off the axle that was not changed and see if the magnets for the brakes are on the same side (I think they are attached to the front shoe) as the new axle you put on. If not all you need to do is swap the backing plates from one side to the other.
  • No brakes ?
    Meaning just on the new axle only ?
    Meaning no stopping power ?
    Meaning no brake magnet actuation ?
    Is there 12v minus getting to the magnet ?
    Do you have a 12v test lite ?
  • Not to be a smart azz, but the axle is in the right way round? It is possible to install reversed (as in left side on the right) which will give you the problem of no brakes, but turning by hand may appear to work with the magnet drag.
    Art.
  • Have you tried to wire the batteries direct to battery? Verify the brakes work. This would also verify your splicing.
  • Not sure if I understand your description of the problem but I would make sure you have a good and solid ground from your tow vehicle and the trailer. Hook a temporary cable between each for a ground and see what happens.