Troubleshooting One Brake Assembly Getting Hotter Than the Other

Updated 05/02/2024 | Published 06/26/2019

Question:

Brand new camper. Left brake gets to 240 deg F after a few brakes. Right side is around 110 deg F. Dealer says it’s a bad ground and the magnet needs to be replaced. Wouldn’t a bad ground result in no braking on that side? How can a new magnet wear when there is no ground on one side? What do you think would cause the bias?

asked by: KRW

Expert Reply:

A bad ground can cause just one brake assembly to get hotter only as a result of the assembly with the bad ground not engaging, which in turn causes the assembly on the other side to do all the work (thus get hotter). It appears though that both brake assemblies on your axle are working so I don't think a bad/weak ground is the culprit here.

When just one assembly gets a lot hotter it's usually just a case of that particular assembly being adjusted tighter than the other. You want to make sure that both brake assemblies are adjusted so that there is only a slight drag when turning the wheel. I have attached a good video demonstration below and you can watch the adjustment process starting at the 4:23 mark.

If this doesn't resolve the issue or the brakes are already both adjusted properly please let me know and we can continue to troubleshoot.

expert reply by: Chris R

Paul G.

5/1/2024

I have the same problem. 5 year old travel trailer. One brake still looks new. Had to do a full replacement on the other side. It wore out. The new brake still gets much hotter than the other side. Checked the magnet on the brake still looks new side and it had less amperage. Replaced that magnet and it works better but, only gets slightly warm, the other side gets hot. Both brakes use the same hot wire and ground wire and are never adjust brakes. Nobody can figure out why.

Chris R.

5/2/2024

@PaulG Quite the riddle. Have you tried testing the brake output wire going down the trailer and specifically where it splits to go to each side of the trailer? I'd make sure you're getting full 12V (or close to it) voltage on the side that's staying cold and not significantly more than that on the hot side. Also make sure that actual connections with the assembly wires are secure.