Troubleshooting One Wheel Locking Up When Activating Electric-Over-Hydraulic Brakes

Updated 03/28/2017 | Published 03/25/2017

Question:

On my 35 foot horse trailer with EOH brake system it keeps locking up the rh front wheel. I have already replaced shoes/springs, drum,bearings/seal,truck brake controller prodigy p2 , adjusted all the other brakes up, and bled all the brakes with no resolve. I am beating my head against the wall now! Even after a short trip the rh front wheel is extremely hot compared to the other three wheel ends and locking up. It has a titan actuator pump. It seems like you can hear the pitch change in the pump without varying the voltage from the controller but it may have always done that? Still doesnt explain why only locking up only one wheel? The tire is now square and i dont want to put a new tire on it until this problem is resolved. Any ideas? Thanks in advance

asked by: Brent D

Expert Reply:

There could be a few things that may be causing your brake wheel to lock-up. Since the Titan system activates all the brake at the same time and a the same pressure, the likely hood the actuator is faulty is very low. Since you are having problems with only one wheel, the problem will be at that wheel.

You may have an issue with the wheel cylinder. When you are activating your brakes, the wheel might be sticking causing the brake shoes to remain in the braking position after you have lift your foot off the pedal. You need to pull the wheel and check the cylinder to see if it is activating correctly when the brakes are being applied.

I would also think about bleeding the brakes to make sure there is no air in the system.

Faulty brake hardware might also be causing the brakes to hang up and not letting them disengage after your take your foot of the pedal. If you can let me know what size trailer brakes and axles you have, then I can find you the correct parts for your application.

I doubt if the brake controller would be cause in just a single issue with one brake on your trailer. However with that said, you should look at changing out the Tekonsha Voyager Brake Controller, # 39510, with a controller that is rated for use with Electric-Over-Hydraulic brake systems.

I recommend the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, # 90885. The P2 is a proportional controller that is designed to be used on both electric or EOH braking systems. The P2 is popular with our customers because of its easy set-up and installation.

expert reply by: Jared P