Troubleshooting Trailer Brake Assembly that Is Hotter Than Others and Dragging Brake

Question:

I purchased four new sets of brakes. Had old drums turned and reinstalled everything, bleed breaks and adjusted the works. After installing drove it a bit everything seemed fine. Took it on a 15 mile drive and touched the hubs 3 out of the 4 were warm/hot but no concern. The one was blazing tho you could smell and feel the heat coming off. I lifted the tire up and it would spin backwards but soon as I turned it forward it would lock up... so I re adjusted tires rotated smoothly both ways. Drove a round and still same issue hot! Ended up loosing it all the way which after all the adjustments was short of 5 clicks... also noticed the new bearing buddy I put on.. the blue seal was bluged out a lot more than the other 3 could be do to hot grease. Any suggestion ?

asked by: Gil

Expert Reply:

The grease shouldn't be getting hot enough to cause the Bearing Buddy Seal to bulge. That is due to the hub being over-filled with grease. I'd pull that hub off and inspect the brake assemblies as it sounds like something mechanical is going wrong or the drum itself wasn't turned properly. It wouldn't be possible for that assembly to somehow receive more hydraulic pressure than the others so it has to be a mechanical issue.

expert reply by: Jameson C