Community Forums

sd75mac · 05-29-2017, 04:56 PM

My brakes started catching real bad, to the point it seemed the trailer was bouncing up and down violently when brakes were applied. Took it to the dealer to have the bearing re-packed and they found the rear passenger brake needed replacing. Those were replaced with new backing plates. Just found the same thing happening again. Any insight why?

Thanks.

lynnmor · 05-29-2017, 06:04 PM

Possible brake controller problem. Tell us if you have a factory controller or an after-market unit.

What failed on the first brake problem?

sd75mac · 05-29-2017, 06:41 PM

Factory brake controller. Dealer said the trailing axle, passenger side, had a bad brake shoe. Sounds suspicious too me.

09 harley · 05-29-2017, 07:04 PM

I see you have a Ford truck. I have a new 2017 Super Duty and one change Ford made was to eliminate the brake control having any affect at slow speeds. They use the Prodigy brand. My older Ford van was not like the new one and at low speeds the trailer brakes would activate and it was almost like chucking with a 5th wheel. The new truck is perfect and not having this issue is great.
You may want to turn down the gain to cause less initial brake effort. You may need to change your controller and I would recommend the Prodigy.
You make also want to test the new model trucks.

sd75mac · 05-29-2017, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 09 harley

I see you have a Ford truck. I have a new 2017 Super Duty and one change Ford made was to eliminate the brake control having any affect at slow speeds. They use the Prodigy brand. My older Ford van was not like the new one and at low speeds the trailer brakes would activate and it was almost like chucking with a 5th wheel. The new truck is perfect and not having this issue is great.
You may want to turn down the gain to cause less initial brake effort. You may need to change your controller and I would recommend the Prodigy.
You make also want to test the new model trucks.

I will turn it down this week. Maybe I'll hook it to my Expedition, which has a Prodigy.

RPr · 05-29-2017, 10:43 PM

My drums were badly scored by the magnets, some of the magnets were so worn they had and open circuit. I replaced them but they were always a bit grabby at slow speed.

After a nasty road hazard resulted in a new undercarriage with new drums, the TT brakes like new.

It is messy but not particularly hard to pull the drums and look for yourself. Lot of TT brake info on You Tube if you want to try it.

sd75mac · 05-30-2017, 07:19 AM

The dealer pulled all the drums a couple of weeks ago to do a wheel pack. Also replaced brakes and turned the rear most axle

Thanks

lynnmor · 05-30-2017, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 09 harley

I see you have a Ford truck. I have a new 2017 Super Duty and one change Ford made was to eliminate the brake control having any affect at slow speeds. They use the Prodigy brand. My older Ford van was not like the new one and at low speeds the trailer brakes would activate and it was almost like chucking with a 5th wheel. The new truck is perfect and not having this issue is great.
You may want to turn down the gain to cause less initial brake effort. You may need to change your controller and I would recommend the Prodigy.
You make also want to test the new model trucks.

Where did you get information that Ford uses Prodigy? If they do have a Tekonsha make the unit, it is vastly different than the after-market unit and works much better.

If the OP has just one of two axles causing problems, he needs a different mechanic.

Twilightzone · 05-30-2017, 08:07 PM

>"... and turned the rear most axle"

Eh? Rotated it 90 degrees... or turned it around and re mounted or ???
What did he do that for?

Rock-N-Roll · 05-30-2017, 08:34 PM

I think you should look at the way the brakes were installed. It sounds like whoever put the brakes on, may have put them on incorrectly. Each brake assembly, (wheel position) has a primary and secondary shoe, (or leading & trailing shoe....1 larger than the other). If the shoes are installed incorrectly, it can cause that brake assembly to lock up when brakes are applied.
If the mechanic put on complete brake assemblies, (a common option anymore) I think you should check - it sounds like he may have put the right assembly on the left side and left assembly on the right. (Brake assemblies include: backing plate, wheel magnet, springs, retainers, adjuster and shoes.)
A controller sends signal, (electrical current) to all wheel positions.....it can't single out a wheel position or axle. Therefore, I don't think a brake controller will cause your condition.

sd75mac · 06-01-2017, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twilightzone

>"... and turned the rear most axle"

Eh? Rotated it 90 degrees... or turned it around and re mounted or ???
What did he do that for?

Turned the drums.

sd75mac · 06-01-2017, 08:06 AM

The problem was the result of a loose wire connection on one of the new brake assemblies.

Rock-N-Roll · 06-01-2017, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sd75mac

The problem was the result of a loose wire connection on one of the new brake assemblies.

Loose wire connection on brake = no brake function to that/those wheel position(s).
Glad you got it fixed.

09 harley · 06-11-2017, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynnmor

Where did you get information that Ford uses Prodigy? If they do have a Tekonsha make the unit, it is vastly different than the after-market unit and works much better.

If the OP has just one of two axles causing problems, he needs a different mechanic.

Various reviews I have read stated that Ford uses Tekonsha. It makes sense that they would use the leader and then ask for changes to make it better. The description of how the controller works is on page 287 of the 633 page Super Duty owners manual. There are several paragraphs under " points to remember". Read all of them, pretty interesting.
No wonder Ford sells so many more trucks than anyone else.
They listen to suggestions from owners and this is apparently where this modification came from.