Troubleshooting Trailer Hubs Where One is Hotter Than the Other

Published 09/08/2021

Question:

I backed off brake shoes on hotter side and checked castle nut as you recommended!! The drum temperature is the same on all 4 drums110 degrees when brakes are NOT being used and just driving down road! When I use brakes one side is 50 degrees hotter??? You see a problem or is that the way it is going to be?? Thank you!!

asked by: James N

Helpful Expert Reply:

If you turn the wheels by hand do you notice one wheel dragging more than the other? If so that would indicate additional friction which would create more heat. I imagine you'll find this to be the case. If the brake adjustments are the same and are good the other thing to check would be that the castle nut isn't too tight on the hotter wheel.

Also make sure the grease seal is intact on the hotter hub and that the grease didn't leak out.

expert reply by: Jameson C

James N.

9/8/2021

Jameson C.

9/8/2021

It is odd that the one hub gets 50 degrees hotter when the brakes are used but even at that temperature it would be fine. It would indicate that the hotter side is still adjusted tighter than the other side but if the other side wasn't tight enough it would eventually adjust to the same tightness since they are both self adjusting brake assemblies.