Troubleshooting Driver Side Brake Assembly Getting Hot Than Other Side After Installing New Brakes

Updated 01/29/2021 | Published 01/27/2021

Question:

I just installed new Dexter drum brakes on my camper. My driver side brake heats up much higher, even though I have adjusted both brakes to the same number of revolutions before the stop turning. I even drove the camper without any electrical connection to it safely of course and it still happened? Also both wheels roller bearings are adjusted to the same amount of play. Any ideas as to the cause?

asked by: Roger G

Expert Reply:

Based on your description of the issue you are having, it sounds like you might have the brake adjusted too tightly on the driver side.

To make sure that the Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kit # 23-47-48 you installed on your camper are adjusted correctly, you will want to loosen the adjuster until you do not hear the pad contacting the drum, and then tighten the adjuster until you hear the pad contacting the drum consistently while spinning the wheel, but making sure that the wheel still spins freely.

If you do that and still have the same issue, I recommend making sure that the castle nut is not over tightened. To install the castle nut our installers recommend tightening it down enough to make sure the drum is fully seated on the spindle, and then loosening it. You will then hand tighten the castle nut, and tighten roughly 1/4 turn with a socket.

expert reply by: Samuel C