trailer brakes

[1gr8bldr]

I just put new brake units, not pads but the entire assembly not including the drums on my dual axle hudson. I had attempted to adjust the old ones but had no results in stopping power. After installing the new ones, I suspected that they would need a breakin followed by a readjust to mate to the drums. So I adjusted to the point of drag, pulled it, riding the hand brake on the controller for a mile or so. Would hardly slow me during this time. So I readjusted them. They all were no longer dragging so they were beginning to mate. I adjusted to more drag than I usually do and went for a test drive. unloaded, It would stop me from 55 to 0 in about 100yds with the hand controller. That aint worth much. I have been all over the net looking for info but have not found much. Many people asking the same question but failing to post the fix. I am wondering if it could have something to do with the voltage charging the magnets. I am about to go out and try tightening the brakes down tight and then back off. i usually tighten them until I get drag of about 1/4 revolution, then back off till I get 1 revolution. Someone said they need to been tightened tight in order to center them? I will try anything....and I will post the final solution

 

[tcartwri]

What gauge wire do you have running from the brake controller to the trailer? Should be at least a #10 for a twin axle setup. You should be able to lock up the brakes at any speed with an empty trailer and full gain on the controller.

 

[1gr8bldr]

What gauge wire do you have running from the brake controller to the trailer? Should be at least a #10 for a twin axle setup. You should be able to lock up the brakes at any speed with an empty trailer and full gain on the controller.

It is factory wiring.

 

[pjbci]

Im thinking they just need to be "run in" longer to mate the drums.

 

[1gr8bldr]

OK, update. I went out and tightened up tight, and backed off till I got a half revolution. Went for a test. Much better at first but seemed to lose it. I suspect that further mating is taking place. I noticed it would twist as I applied the brake on the controller? I returned with plans of readjusting one more time. This time they must be close to being mated because they could only be tightened a fraction to get a half revolution. But here is what I noticed, maybe not the entire problem but for sure, much of it. The left side brake bases were hot, the right side bases were cold. I also felt the drums.Cold on the right. I have no brakes on the right side. I was able to lock up the left side in the gravel but nothing on the right. Must be in the wiring????

 

[radioman]

I started experiencing brake issues with my trailer last year so I took the drums off and inspected it. I learned that the wiring was chewed by mice and 3 of the 4 wiring had wiring chewed in half. The other 2 had wiring handing by a strand or two.
I suspect that for you, it may not be the adjustment or the pads, but you might have a ground issue and or wiring connection issue. Did you verify each magnet had power after engaging controller? Did you trace and turn the wiring over to inspect the wire jacket from magnet is good all the way out to the axle? how about the wiring from truck to the axle to where it splits and shares power for other side? sometimes the wire clip in the drum falls off and the magnet wire can rub on the brake brackets shorting it out.

 

[Diamondpilot]

It has to be wiring or magnet issue.

Chris

 

[pjbci]

It has to be wiring or magnet issue.

Chris

If brake drums are cold its got to be this.

 

[LindenBruce]

Also, what did you do to your drums? The first line of your post states you replaced everything new, EXCEPT, the drums. Did you have your drums machined to give a concentric diameter with a new surface to mate to your new shoes? If not, that's part of your problem. The drum contact surface needs to be de-glazed when installing new shoes. Otherwise all you will get is polished new shoes. B.

 

[Travelover]

Re the wiring, when wiring a trailer I never use the frame as a conductor. Just run a good sized copper wire to each brake and to the lights from the plug in at the tongue. This will save you lots of headaches.