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trailer brakes

C

Chuck in Ks.

Member
I have a flatbed trailer that I put new electric brakes on, using the old drums after cleaning them.
The problem is that the left front brake locks up when the brakes are applied. That brake is adjusted very loose and still locks up.
Wondering if I should have the drum turned again or maybe the electric part of the brake is to sensitive. Is that even possible? Any suggestions welcome
 
I'm wondering if the left front is applying harder, or if the others are not working at all.

Have you tried hand turning the others to make sure they are applying?

Trailer manufactures are known for using the little blue fold over wire connectors that cut through the insulation... Most worthless invention ever! If you have them, that's a good place to start, get rid of 'em.

Also, there is a front and rear shoe, the short shoe is the front, long is the back. The shoes and drums must be free of grease, if the shoes have been grease soaked, they're ruined, replace them.

The drums just need to be smooth, as in free of roughness from being run metal to metal.

Backing off the adjustment won't solve grabbing. Adjust them all the same, be sure the springs are all correct, especially the one that drags on the adjuster, otherwise it will back off and the adjuster will fall into the drum.

Hope this helps!
 
does the left brake lockup when empty only or or does it lockup when loaded also. I just set my controler down some when trailer is empty to keep brakes from locking up. Most every trailer I have been around the left front brake will lockup first when empty.
 
Steve, Thanks for the reply. The other three brakes are working. I don't use the blue quick connectors and all connections are tight with no broken wires.
The brake shoes are facing the correct direction. I bought new backing plates with shoes and hardware installed and made sure the left backing plate was installed on the left side. Your advise will be followed about re-adjusting the brake.
Thank You
Chuck
 
It locks up both empty and loaded. I can adjust the controller and stop it from locking. That means turning the brakes off when empty and being careful how much voltage that is applied when loaded.

Chuck
 
This sounds like a lot of work, but try switching the left front and left rear brake assembles. See if the problem follows, then it's in the brakes, if not, its... Wiring or suspension? Trailer hitch height level?

Theoretically, and I'm just rambling here... the front and rear brakes are applying equally. As the rear brake applies, it twists the axle forward, pushing the axle DOWN, pushing the front of the spring DOWN, pushing the opposite end of the spring rocker UP, causing the front axle to LIFT. It is also twisting forward, causing MORE LIFT. Just something I'm rolling around in my sick mind... Now, why is it only on the left?
 
make sure you don't have a leaf spring equalizer seized up and holding that wheel up. If all else checks out ok I'd put a load on it, go around the block and pull on the brakes with the controller a few times to break things in.
 
I will give switching the brakes a try, but it will be a while before I have the time to do it. Thanks for the advise.

cd1, I have already done that, didn't help
 
check to see if the same current is flowing to all magnets, did you clean and check magnets,, and check all grounds, one could be bad and give more juice to others,,, now you stated you put on new brakes, and turned drums, did you get new magnets and other parts also, or just brakes and turned drums... could be a bad magnet.. my opnion,, had sumilar problem too....
 
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