Trailer brake question

[TxLoser]

Today I was getting some tires installed and decided to check the hubs while everything was off the ground. Each axle was jacked at the spring pack. Not ideal I know, but that’s how they do it. Anyway, on each axle, one wheel moved freely and the opposite side not so much. I was thinking all four should move easily. I unplugged from the truck which was running to be sure it wasn’t sending a signal. Braking seems as good as it’s ever been. I’m going to do a test drive and check temps at 9 and 3 on the drum. Bearings were all repacked in September. Am I missing anything in my troubleshooting?

[TWP723]

I think all wheels should turn freely off the ground. Brake shoes rubbing?

[Midnightmoon]

Did you do the bearing service? Any chance that they were set too tight on one side if done by a service center?

[TxLoser]

Had a trailer shop do the bearings. I’m wondering if that’s the issue. I did have a lot of black dust fall out from behind one of the rougher to turn wheels when I rotated it. That’s what’s had me thinking brakes initially. What’s odd, is this on both axles. One axle is new than the other and was the whole deal brakes and all. Makes me think it’s the bearings since I had all four done and this is in both sides. Of course, we depart next week on a trip and finding a shop to do this will be tough. One I don’t know what I’m doing and two, I can’t tear it apart in front of my house.

[TxLoser]

So, a 20 minute drive with some highway up to 70 and then a down ramp and into a station, I was at 102ish on the wheel that moved the most easily. The hardest to turn wheel was at 130. And the other two around 110. This was taken at the 9 and 3 position on the drum.

Outside temp is 90.

[Midnightmoon]

Do you have the capability of checking/changing your brake adjustment on your own? If so, I would back your brake adjustment off on those wheels in question and see if that changes the drag in the wheel. If you back them off and the drag decreases, then you know that it is a brake adjustment problem. If that doesn't change, then the next step would be to check the bearings.



Here's a quick video on electric brake adjustment if you are not familiar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jm1BSwjS9o

[TxLoser]

Thanks. I’ll have to try that if I can. My brakes are the never adjust with the back up to adjust function. Not sure if I can adjust them manually but I’ll have a look.

The shop I had the bearings done at 2000 miles ago is booked way out but I stopped in, asked nicely and they’re fitting me in next week. May be brakes or a bearing issue. We’ll see. They think they can have me out the door in three days before I head to Colorado. I’m not comfortable pulling it long distance as it currently is. Not jayco dealer but an ATC dealer.

Here’s a photo all the stuff that fell out as I turned the hub on one of them. Little chunks of brake dust. Not sure if that’s normal but I’ve never had it before.

[Midnightmoon]

Excellent. Let us know what they discover.

[TxLoser]

I’ll be sure and follow up.

[TxLoser]

Just got back from the shop. Never even had to unhook. Great service. Loosened the bearings on and one wheel. A little grease into another. Inspected all the brakes operationally and visually. All good. He then inspected the rest of the underside and found a couple bushings worn by way way of being off center. Also pointed out a crack starting in the weld on one rear equalizer jacks. Nothing that had to be addressed now. Gave me a few dust caps as mine were cracked. Didn’t charge me a dime for the hour they spent with me.

I was surprised to see bushings worn in the wet bolts. I didn’t think these wet bolts bushing wore like that.

[Midnightmoon]

Good to hear that they took care of it for you.