Trailer Axle or Electric Brakes Locked Up While Driving and Other Axles Did Not Lock

Updated 02/09/2015 | Published 02/07/2015

Question:

Hello i have a 53foot trailer and while driving one axle locked up on me. All the other axles are still good. How can I fix this problem?

asked by: Steven S

Expert Reply:

When you say it locked up to you mean the brakes locked up or the hub will not spin? If it is the brakes then I suspect that there is an electrical problem with the wiring to the brakes on that axle or the magnets themselves. Inspect the wiring and look for any exposed copper strands and fix as needed. Make sure the wiring is not pinched. Also make sure the grounds are attached to clean and corrosion free bare metal surfaces.

It also would not work to check the vehicle and trailer side connectors. They should be clean and free of corrosion inside and out. I have also included a link to a help article that explains how to test the brake magnets.

If the hub is not spinning then the issue is likely with the bearings. If the bearings were not greased enough they would get very hot and could essentially weld themselves to the spindle or hub. You would need to remove the hubs to determine if there are any problems with the running gear.

expert reply by: Michael H