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Big Brake Problem
I was on my way to Texas from Tucson a awhile ago when my EVIC (my Ram Electronic data system) notified me that I had a problem with a trailer brake.
I got off of the freeway at one of those desperate ghost towns that Texas seems to have in abundance where three people live and one gas station to check out the problem...
As I walked around the trailer I found a very hot wheel.
On the spot I got the tire off and pulled the wheel hub off to expose the brake assembly and found what you see in the photo below. The entire brake magnet was melted.
It had engaged and never disengaged scoring the drum and apparently melted the brake wire which is why I got the notification in the truck.
With no repair shop anywhere near or chance of anywhere to buy a new brake assembly to install I put the wheel hub back on and cut the brake wires to this wheel ensuring the magnet would get no power. The drum was turning freely and I had backed off the adjuster to get the brakes shoes out of any contact with the drum.
I went on my way.
Fast forward to recently in Tucson after returning from Texas and I decided to replace this brake assembly.
I took the melted brake to Wheel Equipment, one of the best and most knowledgeable places in the country for trailer parts, to see what they thought of the melt down...they were duly impressed. The consensus was that something had come apart and stuck behind the magnet holding it in place against the drum. I agreed.
So here are the before and after pics of the two brakes.
Fitting your trailer with good brakes is not difficult or technical at all and can be done by anyone.
In this case as you can see I bought a new drum as well and installed the new bearings and seals myself...an easy job.
Packing bearings with grease is really a no brainer once you get the right technique. There are good (and bad) videos on YouTube about this.
Now normally I would have replaced both brakes on the same axle except that my brakes were still in like new condition on the old assy. This despite having about 19,854 miles on them. This is due in part to the Ram's great engine brake and making great use of it. So I decided to replace just the one side.
At the same time I replaced this brake I also replaced the Spring hanger bushings, plates and equalizers and put in a new rear axle (the old one was bent.) I will try to post about this soon.
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