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3 Trailer Brakes actuate by controller, but are weak? How to fix?
Taking a shot in the dark to see if anyone can help with a problem I'm having with the electric brakes on a horse trailer.
The trailer is a 1990 Trail-et two horse straight-load trailer, with dual torsion axles and electric drum brakes on all four wheels. I did my annual spring maintenance, which includes repacking all the wheel bearings and cleaning the rust off the brake components and readjusting so they operate smoothly. The brake shoes have plenty of pad remaining.
When the brake controller is actuated in the truck, I can hear the magnets entergizing/humming inside each wheel drum, along with an 'electric vibration'. However, the brakes grab only very slightly; the wheels still turn easily by hand when jacked up. Normally I am able to adjust these brakes so the wheel locks up completely.
I clearly am getting electricity to all four wheels, but am not well versed enough to figure out why the brake action is so weak. Do the magnets wear out over time? Any advice is welcome.
Es esta una buena pregunta?
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3 comentarios
For anyone interested, I've made a little progress. I've concluded that since all four wheels became dodgy at the same time, the problem must be electriclal. I spent some time tracing wires and discovered a point in the main wiring harness where the ground wire was about 50% broken from repeated flexing at the same point. Since the brakes are a significant electical load, I think the faulty ground is limiting the amperage the system is able to deliver. I've orderded a new harness, and will post my results back when it's installed.
- de Greg R
Good work. Now if you would please make the last paragraph an answer and accept it so the solution can be archived and available to others. Thanks.
- de rj713
Greg R, great job fixing it. Now, all you have to do, take part of your comment and cut and paste it as an answer That way we can all learn from you and know better next time. :-)
- de oldturkey03