Troubleshooting Dexter Electric Brakes Overheating on Rear Axle of Tandem Axle Trailer

Question

Question:

Help me figure out how to get them properly adjusted and then stay that way. Presently I adjusted them all tandem axle trailer to very slight lining/drum drag. After a few hundred miles the rear axle hubs will be very unpleasantly HOT to the touch. The trailer is towing level, is not overloaded, and the bearings are okay. Castle nut has proper tightness. I will literally have to jack up the trailer, remove the combo hub/brake drum, adjust the starwheel cannot access it from back because of axle configuration, repack the wheel bearings and replace all. After 300-500 miles, I have to repeat process. Once I tried just driving a bit slower as I sought an emergency pull off and after 50 miles the hubs were cool to the touch again. They are getting hot enough drums/bearings that they are becoming discolored so this is not just that I had laid on the brakes a lot and then immediately checked them to find them very hot. It was after 100 miles at 70 mph with only minimal highway braking I pull over on shoulder to check hub temps every 100 miles now. The front hubs are remaining cool to the touch. ALL brakes lock up when the trailer is jacked up and brakes are applied. Thanks for any help you can give me. Dexter has been less than helpful.

asked by: Gregory J

0

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you have already done a lot of troubleshooting and your brakes are adjusted properly each time. You certainly shouldn't have to be adjusting brakes like the # 23-26-27 every 300-500 miles. The first thing I would check is the wiring for your rear brake assemblies. Make sure the power and ground wires have a good connection.

The other thing I think this could be is the axle/spindles. It is possible you have a bent spindle or axle which could result in suspension issues and overheating. This would also make sense since you are only experiencing this problem on the rear axle brake assemblies and not on your other brakes. I would check the tread on the rear tires to see if you notice anything abnormal.

expert reply by: Robin H

0

Answer 1

According to Dexter, the nut should be torqued to between 45-70 foot lbs. If you don't have a torque wrench close at hand, Tighten the bolts until the lock washer flattens, which will put you really close to the correct torque. We offer 4 nuts…

view full answer...

Answer 2

The wheel used on the Kenda Karrier 205/75-15 #AM32418DX wheel/tire combo has a 3.19 pilot diameter, so you'll want to choose a center cap with the same diameter. I'd recommend the Lionshead #LHCS102-SI60C which is constructed of stainless…

view full answer...

Answer 3

The Spindle Nut in the Redline #RG05-100 has a 1 inch inside diameter and a 14 thread per inch thread pitch. I am in the process of having this information added to the product description.

view full answer...

Answer 4

The Trailer Idler Hub Assembly for 3,500-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 5 on 4-1/2 - Galvanized #AKIHUB-545-35-G-EZ-K does not come with the spindle nut. That would come with your axle. For a 3,500 lb axle you would want the Spindle Nut Kit for EZ Lube Axles…

view full answer...

Answer 5

The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado does not have a plug-in adapter for a brake controller such as the Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller part #90195. However, the wires that will need to be hardwired into the adapter are already present on the…

view full answer...

Answer 6

Installing brass bushings of the proper inner and outer diameter and length is possible. In my experience brass bushings do not last any longer than nylon bushings and they are much harder to find in the correct size. At this time we do not carry…

view full answer...

Answer 7

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

view full answer...

Answer 8

Even though I cannot comment specifically on the grease you used because I am not familiar with it, I can tell you the best grease for trailer bearings is a a grease with a rating of GC-LB, which just means it is made to withstand very high…

view full answer...

Answer 9

To determine the size of the brake assemblies you need you have to measure the depth and width of the hub drum on the axle like what you see in the picture I attached. The most common size is 2-1/4 inch wide like the #T4071600-500 that you…

view full answer...

Answer 10

You can use leaf springs that are rated higher than the axle without any issues as long as they measure the correct measurement for your trailer. For example the 6-leaf double eye spring for 7,000 lb axles part #e64SR measures 24-7/8" eye to…

view full answer...

Answer 11

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

view full answer...

Answer 12

Thank you for providing the specs for the suspension components that you already have. Correct hanger spacing really depends on the components being used such as springs, hangers and equalizers. Most of the hanger spacing dimensions that we have are…

view full answer...

Troubleshooting Dexter Electric Brakes Overheating on Rear Axle of Tandem Axle Trailer

Product Page this Question was Asked From

Continue Researching