Troubleshooting Tandem Axle Trailer with Electric Drum Brakes That Has One Hub Running Hot
Updated 05/01/2017 | Published 04/29/2017
Question:
Left side front axle running hot , not bearings, replaced backing plate ass. Have adjusted all 4 wheels. Electric brakes on duel axle trailer.
asked by: J. R
Expert Reply:
Heat build-up in just one of the four wheels on your tandem axle trailer suggests a problem with either the bearings, races or hub, with the spindle, or with the brake assembly either having damage or being badly out of adjustment.
Since you noted the bearings are not damaged (and presumably are properly greased) the heat is likely to be coming from excess friction between the brake pads and the inside surface of the drum. A damaged magnet that drags on the drum continuously, or some other brake component that is doing the same thing, becomes the next-most-likely cause.
Since troubleshooting/re-building electric drum brakes can be a labor-intensive process, I suggest you simply replace the one left-side brake with a new electric drum brake. This may take less time than troubleshooting and replacing individual parts and it may even be less costly too. Often a complete new brake costs less than even a few of the replacement parts for it.
The linked page displays all left-hand (driver-side) electric drum brakes. Just click on your axle capacity, brake size and wheel size to see suitable options in both manual-adjust and self-adjust types. Use the same brake that is currently on the other three wheels.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left Hand - 3,500 lbs
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- LH
- 3500 lbs
- Brake Assembly
- Self Adjust
- 10 x 2-1/4 Inch Drum
- etrailer
more information >
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