Forum Discussion

plasticmaster's avatar
plasticmaster
Explorer
Aug 01, 2017

Trailer brake keeps sticking

I put a brand new brake assembly and hub/drum on one of my camper wheels a couple weeks ago. Now, on my first trip, the drum is getting extremely hot. I jacked up the wheel and rotated it while my wife hit the brakes. It would lock up like it should but when she released the brake I turned it but can feel it dragging. I know how to adjust the star wheel on the brake and have already done that. In fact, I have it set fairly loose. It just sticks and drags after releasing the brake. Is there anything else I can adjust or do I need to exchange this brake assembly for a new one?

18 Replies

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  • plasticmaster's avatar
    plasticmaster
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2017
    I've already towed it 300 miles with the new brake. How many miles should I expect for break in?
  • BadgerMcAdams's avatar
    BadgerMcAdams
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2017
    MFL wrote:
    A brand new hub, with new shoes, magnet, springs, will likely need a little wear in time, and will rub/run hotter than others, that are wore in, until it does.

    Jerry


    When we would replace the brake shoes on the military trailers we worked on, the Technical Order said to pull the trailer around and brake at a minimum of 50 times to burnish the brake shoes to seat and fit with the brake drum. Then readjust as needed.

    But while it could just be new parts getting fitted together, please take the advice of the others and check all your possible options. It's better to be safe than sorry.
  • bobndot's avatar
    bobndot
    Explorer III
    Aug 01, 2017
    Could the wiring been disturbed ? I don't know about brake systems, but could an electrical issue where corrosion causes a false reading somewhere in the line and the vehicles controller causes one side to stick ?
    Im just taking a stab at this, thinking the electrical splits and supplies each side individually ? Any thoughts ?
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2017
    beemerphile1 wrote:
    Is it self adjusting? Is it mounted on the wrong side?


    Those are good questions. If you have self-adjusting, they can over adjust if the drum has run-out. Also, pull the trailer plug while your wife repeats the test to see if there may be an electrical issue.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Aug 01, 2017
    A brand new hub, with new shoes, magnet, springs, will likely need a little wear in time, and will rub/run hotter than others, that are wore in, until it does.

    Jerry
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Aug 01, 2017
    There's probably some little part that's not exactly where it should go. I would pull the drum and study it.

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