Will Using Self Adjusting Brake Assembly Remedy Overheating Trailer Brake Assembly Issue

Question:

I have one trailer brake that consistantly gets hotter than all the rest - some time to the point of tire blowout. I have tried to clean and reset the breaks but it still happened over heat I am planning to replace the brakes and need to know what I should fix - can the never adjust brakes be put into any ductchman trailer 1995 24ft thanks

asked by: Bill

Expert Reply:

What could possibly be happening is the brake might be engaged all the time due to a mis wiring in your system. To test for this problem, have a helper hit your brake pedal in the cab while you use a circuit tester on the brake magnet power wire. If you are getting power to the magnet any time other than when the brake pedal is pressed, then the brake magnet wire may be connected to a constant power source and would need to be reconnected to the electric brake wire, which is usually blue.

Another possibility would be that the brake shoes are adjusted too far out. You can tell if this is the case by jacking the trailer up and spinning the wheel. If you get a lot of resistance on the brake that is getting hotter than the rest, go ahead and re-adjust the brake shoes so that they are not so far apart.

You could also switch out the assembly and use the Self Adjusting Electric Brake Assembly # AKEBRK-35L-SA as long as your hub drum will fit onto the 10 inch assembly, but I would recommend checking the brake magnets and brake adjustment first, in case the issue could be easily remedied.

If you need the right hand assembly that is available as part # AKEBRK-35R-SA.

Keep in mind that the Self Adjusting Assembly will need to be adjusted once initially after installation.

I have included a link to a video demonstrating the proper way to adjust brakes, if needed.