Guide to Use to Test Trailer Brake Magnets

Question

Question:

My trailer break away brake is not engaging when pin is pulled. I had a dual come off my trailer bc the bearing went out ever since then my trailer brakes are not engaging. there is ppower to every wheel. and power to the break away brake but when the pin is pulled or brakes are applied its not working. I replace the magnet on one dual to see if that was the issue but it did not fix it. do i need to replace all 4 magnets to see if this the problem??

asked by: Larry G

0

Expert Reply:

Sounds like your brakes aren't working when you use the breakaway kit or when your tow vehicle applies the brakes which leads me to believe the problem isn't the breakaway and it's most likely electrical.

I attached a link to a page that details how to test to see if the brake magnets are bad for you to check out. Try that and let me know what you find.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Answer 1

In order to measure a brake assembly for replacement you need to do so from the inside of the drum on the contact surface for the shoes which you can see in the attached photo. The two most common sizes are 10" x 2-1/4" like the Electric…

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Answer 2

You would know to replace brake shoes the same way you would know with a vehicle. If performance is suffering and adjusting the brakes does not help and there are no other issues causing the poor performance it is probably time to change the brake…

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Answer 3

You would know to replace brake shoes the same way you would know with a vehicle. If performance is suffering and adjusting the brakes does not help and there are no other issues causing the poor performance it is probably time to change the brake…

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Answer 4

As long as all 4 tires have brakes installed, all 4 tires are supposed to lock when the pin is pulled. If only one axle has brakes, the 2 of the 4 tires should lock. There are a couple of possible problems your trailer may be experiencing. One…

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Answer 5

If there is visible signs of wear then it is a good idea to replace the hub/drum with the brake assemblies. If the armature surface where the brake magnet is damaged, or if the area where the bearings ride is showing wear or is damaged it would be…

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Answer 6

If the surface on the inside of the drum where the shoe pads make contact isn't smooth then a brake shop may be able to turn the drums. If that surface or the surface where the magnet makes contact (called the armature surface) is discolored then…

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Answer 7

If the drums look like they are in good shape you don't have to turn them when replacing the assemblies. Take a look at the inside of the drum and if you don't see any grooving or obvious signs of wear they don't have to be replaced.…

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Answer 8

On many drum brakes there are wear indicators at the pad material on the shoes. If the pad material is riveted on and you have reached the rivets then it is time to replace them. If you have the brakes adjusted out all the way and the braking is…

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Answer 9

Most likely it's a mechanical problem on the specific assembly that's locking up when you hit the brakes. If it was a short in the wiring they all would be locking up. Best option is to pull the hub off and inspect the assembly to see if you…

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Answer 10

It is absolutely more cost effective to replace entire assemblies instead of brake pads. It's an easier install, the price is about the same, you don't have to be as specific when picking out the replacement parts, and you get all new braking…

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Answer 11

The break in process will be the same when replacing one brake and drum as if you were replacing both. Drive the trailer out into an open area, like an empty parking lot. Get up to around 40 MPH and apply the manual override on your brake controller.…

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Answer 12

You cannot really go by miles when determining when brakes should be replaced. You would know to replace them the same way you would know with a vehicle. If performance is suffering and adjusting the brakes does not help and there are no other issues…

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Guide to Use to Test Trailer Brake Magnets

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