HELP - Trailer Brakes - HELP

[Ron Mehringer]

Last year my h26's starboard trailer brake got smoking hot on the 5 mile trip from the marina to the house. Smoke was acutally coming out of the drum. After it cooled I took off the wheel, regreased the bearings, cleaned the brakes and lubed the pivot points.This evening I went to move the boat and the starboard side brake drum got hot just going around the block. Port side was cool to the touch.HELP! Anyone have an idea as to what may be wrong? I need to move the boat about 25 miles via secondary roads (40mph max). If I were to remove the pads from the troubled wheel would the brake on the other side still work? Drum brakes are simple devices so I'm puzzled as to why it is malfunctioning.Thanks,Ron Mehringerh26 Hydro-Therapy

 

[Rick Webb]

Sorry, Whish I had Better News

The brake on the other side will not work and you'll blow out the wheel cylinder.

 

[keel_haul]

related to brake maintenance

This is not the solution to your problem, but is offered as a reminder to all. I have trailered my prior boat for 18 years and have learned that prior to going anywhere one should check the surge-brake fluid resevoir by taking off the cap on the trailer hitch and filling the resevoir with the proper brake fluid. I just bought a used H-240 last week and taking it from the dealer I checked and found the resevoir empty. I carry brake fluid so there was no problem prior to a long haul.Check it prior to any long haul!

 

[Pat]

Check the brake cylinder

Ron- once I had a similar problem (smokin' too) due to a brake cylinder piston that froze/locked up in the cylinder during a 125 mile trip. It would not return to its compressed position. I would suggest that you check the movement of the piston. This could probably not be done safely on a surge brake system with the brake drum off and trailer on jacks, so I suggest removing the cylinder(s) to check the freedom of movement. Based on the amount of rust present, I would go ahead and replace them on both wheels. Be sure to bleed the system, re-fill the reservoir and adjust the shoes etc. after installing the new cylinders. Also, be sure the brake shoes move smoothly in and out on their rub points.

 

[Ron Mehringer]

One more question and Thanks.

Thanks for the helpful information. One more question. Can the whole wheel assembly be removed from the axle and brought to a mechanic? Ron Mehringerh26 Hydro-Therapy

 

[Rick Webb]

Yes, But...

You will still need to bleed the brakes after you put it back in. It is a simple job to replace any of the parts. To bleed you just insert the receiver draw bar into the hitch and have someone pump it just like you would on a carbrake pedal. If you know anyone who is a shadetree mechanic they would be perfectly suited to help with this project. My wife is planning a trip up there to visit her family if I have to go I'd even come over to help. I would really rather not go to New Jersey at all though.

 

[Ron Mehringer]

Thanks Rick

Thanks for the offer Rick, but I wouldn't want to keep you from your Jersey relatives. Of course if you're looking for an excuse to get away from them, I can be that excuse. heheheRon Mehringerh26 Hydro-Therapy