Brakes will Not Lock Up

[scuba0331]

Hello,

I just greased my wheel bearings and adjusted the brakes for the year. Now my brakes will not lock up with manual override on my factory brake controller. I always test this before I take off.

I will walk through what I did. I removed the drums and removed both bearings and then clean and re-greased. Next I sprayed out the drums with brake cleaner to get ride of the brake dust and old grease in the bearing cups. Next I sprayed brake cleaner all over the brake assembly including the shoes. Do you think spraying brake cleaner on the shoes glazed the shoes?

Next I sprayed lube on the adjuster and shoe pivot points. After I put the drums back on and adjusted the wheel bearing nut I adjusted the brakes by rotating the adjuster to fully seat the shoes then I back the adjuster off so there was a slight "scraping" sound of the shoes contracting the drum but they turned easily.

Any thoughts of what went wrong?

[poncho62]

Sounds good, but I am wondering if the brake cleaner is acting like lubricant and is on the brake shoes? Might want to drive it a couple of miles (safely of course) and see if they dry out

[concours]

I think that if you read the info on the brake cleaner can it may say not to use on the friction material, brake cleaner has changed over the years and tends to leave some residue

[gearhead]

I would adjust the truck brake controller all the way up. Drive it around using the brakes pretty heavy. See if the heat will dry them out.
Mine won't lock the wheels up either. I run the controller on 8.5.

[halfprice]

So whats the best way to check the brakes by using the controller. What speed do you activate the controller and what are you looking for??

From a stop I've only taken my foot of the brake pedal then manually activated the controller. If the trailer stops I'm good. Is this correct or should I be doing something different.


Jerry

[bobbecky]

You need to get the trailer brake controller manual out. They all have setup procedures. The following is an example, which is from the Prodigy P2 manual:

Adjusting the Power to the Trailer
Brakes (Prior to setting Boost)
Once the control has been securely mounted in the
direction of travel, it is necessary to set the power
needed to stop the trailer during a braking event.
1. Connect trailer to tow vehicle.
2. With engine running hold manual full left and set
Power Knob to indicate approximately 6.0
3. Drive tow vehicle and trailer on a dry level paved
surface at 25 mph and fully apply manual knob.
3 If trailer brakes lock up:
q Turn power down using power knob.
3 If braking was not sufficient:
q Turn power up using power knob.
4. Repeat Step (3) until power has been set to a point
just below wheel lock up or at a sufficient force as
to achieve maximum braking power.
5. Using the brake pedal, make a few low speed
stops to check the power setting. Trailer braking
is initiated and terminated via the stoplight switch.
When the brake pedal is released, trailer braking
will cease.

[Comptech]

I have never been able to get my 5er brakes to lock up, ever.... I did at one point find that there were loose brake wires under the underbelly and when I pulled the underbelly down and re-crimped the wires the brakes works better. But still even on the highest Prodigy P2 setting they don't lock up.... I always tow with my F350 in tow/haul mode and feel I have good braking power, but I would like the 5er brakes to feel more aggressive.

[bobbecky]

We could set our built-in controller to 10, and the brakes will never lock up. Our rig's GVWR is 15,805 lbs. I actually would not want them locked, as the rubber would get severe flat spots pretty quick. We have found that a 9 setting works for us nicely, not over or under braking. We have occasion to have to make an emergency stop due to idiot drivers changing lanes and jamming on their brakes, and the truck/trailer handles very good and have not run into anything yet.

[RdRmr]

scuba0331, you mentioned that after cleaning everything you "sprayed" lube on the adjuster and shoe pivots. It could be possible that a drop of that lube has gotten on the shoes or drum face. Most spray lubes are light and don't react with heat very well. I have always used the same grease I've done the bearings with, very minimal. I've never had a residue issue by spraying the shoes with brake cleaner, just let they dry fully before reassembly.
Just my thoughts. Happy Campin....

[Bob Landry]

I don't know why anyone would want their brakes to lock up. The purpose of the brake controller is to assist in braking,, not accomplish it on it's own. The only time you would want the brakes to lock up would be in the event they got the full 12V from the break-away switch.

[MarkS]

I don't know why anyone would want their brakes to lock up. The purpose of the brake controller is to assist in braking,, not accomplish it on it's own. The only time you would want the brakes to lock up would be in the event they got the full 12V from the break-away switch.


My brake controller adjustment instructions says to turn up until the brakes start to lock up, then back off until they don't. I don't want them to lock up under normal conditions. Just trying to follow the instructions.

[scuba0331]

Thanks for all of the comments!

I wasn't very clear. I do not want the brakes to lock up under normal conditions. Before I leave my house I like to get rolling about 1 to 2 mph and slide the brake controller lever to ensure the brakes are working. This would lock the brakes up. Doing this in gravel would cause a skid and you can see if all of the wheel are locking up.

I guess I will check the adjustments again and give it a try. The brakes are actuating but not like they did prior to me taking the drums apart.

Thanks for the help! Happy Camping.

[scuba0331]

scuba0331, you mentioned that after cleaning everything you "sprayed" lube on the adjuster and shoe pivots. It could be possible that a drop of that lube has gotten on the shoes or drum face. Most spray lubes are light and don't react with heat very well. I have always used the same grease I've done the bearings with, very minimal. I've never had a residue issue by spraying the shoes with brake cleaner, just let they dry fully before reassembly.
Just my thoughts. Happy Campin....

That's a good point. I did use Fluid Film. If you are not familiar with it is really sticky! That's why I used it because I thought it would have less chance of coming off!

No big deal I will take things apart and check it out again!

[Comptech]

My brake controller adjustment instructions says to turn up until the brakes start to lock up, then back off until they don't. I don't want them to lock up under normal conditions. Just trying to follow the instructions.

Exactly, If you cant get the brakes to Lock Up, then how do you know they are set right according to the instructions...

I would feel more comfortable knowing that they could lock up or just short of locking up under an emergency stop with the Prodigy brake controller.

[Javi]

Just a thought but MOST brake controller instructions have a disclaimer which states something like brakes may not lock with larger trailers. I know that I cannot fully lock mine on pavement but can on loose gravel.

[Comptech]

Javi,
Good to know....

[scuba0331]

Just a thought but MOST brake controller instructions have a disclaimer which states something like brakes may not lock with larger trailers. I know that I cannot fully lock mine on pavement but can on loose gravel.

That makes sense. Mine will in gravel but not on pavement. I guess I was over zealous. I did take it to the dealer today to have the brakes checked and the owner of the dealership and the tech took my rig for a ride and they said everything felt great! I guess I'm better than I thought!

I was kind of embarrassed but when safety is involved I will suck up my pride every time.

Thanks for all of the help!