Why Is One Rotor Hotter Than All The Others On A Triple Axle Trailer
Published 10/19/2021
Question:
I have this setup on a triple axle trailer with the hydrastar electric over hydraulic actuator. On one side of the trailer the middle rotor is always about 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit more than the front and rear rotor. This leads me to believe it is applying more pressure than the other 2. After driving on city roads in 70 degree weather they measured 105 and 115 degrees. Is this cause for concern? Is there a probable cause for this? And is there an adjustment or other fix I can do? I understand they will get hot, what is too hot? Thanks
asked by: Bruce E
Expert Reply:
Typically when something like this is happening, it will be one of a few things. First will be the pads in this brake caliper have a bit more material than the others and it is making more constant contact with the rotor. This will definitely cause it to heat up faster and more than the others. This will usually happen if the brake pads in just one caliper were replaced recently and is why it is always good to replace all pads at the same time.
However, if this was not done recently, you may also have a bad caliper. If the piston is not pulling the pads back after the brakes are engaged, it will cause the pads to be in constant contact with the rotor, again making it hotter than the others. This will be the most common reason for what you are experiencing and will require you to bleed the brakes to diagnose.
If one of the calipers is indeed bad and you currently have the Kodiak Disc Brake Kit - 13" Rotor - 8 on 6-1/2 - E-Coat - 9/16" Bolts - 8K Dexter Disc Kit # K2R89DDE installed, the Kodiak Disc Brake Caliper # KDBC250E will be a direct replacement and will get you back up and running properly. As this will have new pads, I also recommend replacing all pads with the # K250CP so they all match.
Though I could not get an answer of what too hot is for trailer disc brakes, everything I could find shows you are well within any kind of limit at 105 to 115 degrees.
