Troubleshooting Trailer Brakes and Grease Seal Failure
Question:
It looks like my self adjusting brakes became to hot and caused the rear oil seal to fail. On my 2016 5th wheel, Causing the brakes to be coated with bearing grease and damaged. Any idea why this would happen and what can I do to keep it from happening again?
asked by: Bill
Expert Reply:
The heat causing a seal failure would be extreme. If it started as an overheating of the assembly as you stated it would be due to the wiring at the magnet. The magnet would need to be getting the constant power to stay activated or the brake shoes wouldn't have been activated to cause the friction for the heat build up to be that extreme.
I recommend testing your power wires to the magnet using a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to check your wiring and the 5 o'clock pin at your 7-way. If there is corrosion, that pin may get power from other pins which could cause that or a faulty brake controller. Some sand paper can clean the connections and then dielectric grease # 11755 will help prevent that in the future.
If you need to replace wiring from the trailer side connection to the magnets you can use # 10-1-1 sold by the foot. You will need to replace your brake assemblies because of the grease, so I recommend # AKEBRK-7-SA which will work with the mounting bolts in your photo.
I've attached some articles to assist with troubleshooting.
Products Referenced in This Question
Dielectric Grease for Electrical Connectors, 2 oz.
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Wiring
- Wiring
- Dielectric Grease
- LubriMatic
more information >
etrailer Electric Trailer Brakes - Self-Adjusting - 12" - Left/Right Hand - 5.2K to 7K
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- Standard Grade
- Self Adjust
- 12 x 2 Inch Drum
- 5200 lbs Axle
- 6000 lbs Axle
- 7000 lbs Axle
- 14-1/2 Inch Wheel
- 15 Inch Wheel
- 16 Inch Wheel
- etrailer
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Electric Trailer Brake Assembly - Self-Adjusting - 10" - Left Hand - 3,500 lbs
- Accessories and Parts
- Trailer Brakes
- Electric Drum Brakes
- LH
- 3500 lbs
- Brake Assembly
- Self Adjust
- 10 x 2-1/4 Inch Drum
- etrailer
more information >
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