What Causes Weak Trailer Brakes on Trailer After New Assemblies Installed

Published 01/24/2023

Question:

same problem I just read as well as repair recommendation. Installed new pre assembled backing plates with new brakes magnets etc. New drums bearings everything. Slight braking even when I set truck controller to heavy electric and 10 power. still just slight braking not even enough to hold the truck after it is stopped and at idle.

asked by: Randy

Expert Reply:

I have two possible causes of weak trailer brakes after the installation of new trailer braking assemblies. They are both installation related so you may need to check your work. The first would be having the assemblies installed on the wrong side, if this were true the brakes would still work but they would be very weak. In order to check, pay attention to way the actuator arm is facing, it should be pointed towards the front of the trailer as you can see in the attached photo

The other potential issue is lack of adjustment. A big misconception about self-adjusting braking assemblies is that they don't require any adjustment at all and this isn't true. If you have self-adjusting braking assemblies then you don't need to continually adjust them but you will need to adjust them initially, the same as you would for manual adjust brakes. If you can let me know what assemblies you have, I would be glad to let you know of the proper adjustment procedure.

expert reply by: Conner L