Troubleshooting Trailer Brake Drum Heat Build-Up on One Hub of Boat Trailer
Question:
With boat trailer sitting in garage, the brakes will apply. Take it from me, the wheel brakes are correctly adjusted. I can jack the trailer up, place on 3 jack stands, and spin the wheels. Actuate the 84132, and stop the wheels. BUT, the actuator will not return to off by itself. You have to pull up on the ball/extension with some considerable force to get them to release. What bothers me is it applies by itself. Which leaves me to believe the brakes are applying while being towed. Since having replaced the actuator, Im having an overheat problem. Adjustment has not affect. Ive pulled the hyd lines, blown them out. Pulled the wheel cyls, PERFECT! Checked brake drum alignment in relationship to backing plate.... Perfect! So, no wheel problem. If I back off of one wheel adjuster, the other goes HOT! I tow with a 3500 dually, so its hard to feel if the brakes are applying while towing, but when I stop, like at a rest stop off an interstate, one brake is reading 250+ while the other is at say, 130 degrees. They have been applying while being towed. Im looking at this actuator with a fuzzy eyeball and its costing me a considerable amount of time! Please give a call. Hopefully you can shed some light on what is happening here.... Hey, Im an Aircraft Hyd mechanic.... NEVER had this type of problem with wheel brakes over heating.... Now, Really think its the actuator.
asked by: Steven F
Helpful Expert Reply:
Since you have checked out your trailer's hydraulic lines and confirmed the brakes are in good shape, the cause for the heat in your one drum could come from something else. If only one of your drums gets hot when you tow it could be that something other than the brake is causing the heat. A bad or marginal bearing, insufficient grease in the hub or an overly tight castle nut on the spindle could lead to the heat build-up you're finding.
You can check the condition of your bearings, your level of bearing grease and that your castle nut is not too tight. A castle nut should be tightened until it stops, then backed off to the nearest notch. If the nut is too tight it will lead to constant heat generation as the drum rotates.
If both drums had this problem I might suspect the actuator, but since the problem is isolated to one wheel I would focus on the one hub for your troubleshooting.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator - Drum - Zinc - 2" Ball - 7,000 lbs
- Brake Actuator
- Surge Brake Actuator
- Straight Tongue Coupler
- Bolt-On
- 7000 lbs GTW
- 2 Inch Ball Coupler
- Drum Brakes
- No Lockout
- Demco
more information >
Continue Researching
- Shop: Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator - Drum - Zinc - 2" Ball - 7,000 lbs
- Video: Demco Hydraulic Brake Actuator Review
- Shop: Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 2,000-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 7" Diameter - 5 on 4-1/2
- Article: How to Adjust Your Trailer Brakes | The Ultimate Guide
- Shop: Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 2K Axles - 7" - 5 on 4-1/2 - L44649 - Pre-Greased
- Shop: Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 3,500-lb E-Z Lube Axles - 10" Diameter - 5 on 5-1/2
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Q&A: Recommended Surge Brake Actuator For Discontinued Atwood 85739
- Q&A: Best Replacement For Atwood 6,000 lb Drum Brake Actuator
- Shop: Easy Grease Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly for 2K Axles - 7" - 5 on 4-1/2 - L44643 - Pre-Greased
- Shop: Dexter Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly - 7K lb E-Z Lube Axle - 12" - 8 on 6-1/2 - 1/2" Studs
- Q&A: Potential Causes for Overheating Trailer Brake Drums
- Shop: Dexter DX7.5 Drop-N-Go Brake Actuator - Drum Brakes - 2" Ball - Zinc Plated - 7,500 lbs
- Video: Review of Dexter Axle Brake Actuator - Electric-Hydraulic Brake Actuator - 099-175-00
- Video: Review of Demco Brake Actuator - Surge Brake Actuator - DM72VR
- Q&A: What is Normal Temperature Rating for Trailer Hubs
- Q&A: Proper Way to Tighten Trailer Spindle of Castle Nut
- Video: Demco Electric Lockout Hydraulic Brake Actuator Installation
- Q&A: Comparing the eTrailer and Dexter Electric Trailer Brake Kits
- Video: Curt Weight Distribution - Sway Control Only - 17200 Review
- Q&A: How Tight Should Castle Nut be on Trailer Hub
- Article: Wiring Trailer Lights with a 7-Way Plug (It's Easier Than You Think)
- Video: etrailer Trailer Brakes - Electric Drum Brakes - AKEBRK-8 Review
- Article: Testing Trailer Brake Magnets for Proper Function
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Video: etrailer Trailer Brakes - Hydraulic Drum Brakes - AKFBBRK-35 Review
- Article: How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop
- Article: Trailer Wiring Diagrams
- Article: 7 Common Questions Everyone Has About Trailer Tires
- Article: The 5 Best Trailer Drop Hitches You Can Buy