When was the last time you’ve inspected your trailer brakes and bearings? During a wheel bearing service we found that this customer’s brake shoes are worn down on 3 out of the 4 brakes. This also caused damage to the drums. We found the roadside rear brake magnet wiring is cut in half and that backing plate / shoe and drum rusted. We found that all bearings were burnt and loose in bearing cages due to lack of lubrication.
Making sure that the brakes and suspension are in good working condition is key for any RV. With that said, a lot of braking and suspension systems go unchecked and can cause accidents and trailer fires. We want to make sure this is prevented so trips can be enjoyed with family and friends. Trailer brakes should be inspected at yearly intervals or more often depending on performance.
Our normal maintenance on trailer brakes consist of inspection, cleaning and adjustment for proper function. During our inspection we are also looking for worn shoe linings, inspecting the magnet arm for any loose or worn parts, checking the shoe return springs, mounting springs and adjuster spring for deformation; as well as checking magnets for signs of uneven wear.
Other causes of brakes not working properly are:
• Poor connections
• Open circuit
• Insufficient wire size
• Broken wires hanging below the axle
• Improperly set up controller
• Internally shorted magnets
• Defective controller
• Brake wire shorted to ground somewhere in the system
• Corrosion between the ground wire and the brake wire in the electrical connector plug
Are you not sure if your brakes are working properly? Give us a call to schedule an appointment! We will check everything top to bottom to make sure you have a safe and fun trip.
California RV Specialists – Service Description:
SUSPENSION INSPECTION/BRAKE INSPECTION / WHEEL BEARING PACK SERVICE
Recommended every 12 months or every 12,000 miles, whatever comes first.
-Inspect brakes and bearings for wear or damage.
-Clean and repack wheel bearing and replace seals.
-Clean and adjust brake shoes and test operation.
-Adjust tire pressure and torque wheels to specs.
-Inspection of shackle links, springs, hangers, welds and wiring at axles.
-Price includes grease, seals, brake cleaner, shop supplies and waste charge.
See website for service menu prices.
More from Dustin
Dustin owns and operates California RV Specialists, an independent RV repair shop located in Lodi, CA. He thrives on sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm of RV repair and maintenance with his team, customers, and virtual friends.
Be sure to check out his YouTube channel where he shares what’s going on in the shop and the product offerings in the store. Dustin is also very active on Facebook. Join his group, RV Repairs and Tips – What’s in the shop!
Dustin proudly operates the business alongside his wife, Ashley; but the true pair that run the show are their Boston Terriers, Arvie and Hitch.
