Trailer brake is stuck

[Sodo]

One of my electric brakes is stuck on my dump trailer.
The wheel won't turn at all, it's real - real stuck!
Trailer un-plugged of course.

I tried rolling it forward and backward but it's kinda soft ground and it skids the wheel.
It has a bit of weight on it, and some traction... it's not just "slightly stuck".

So how can I get the hub off?
Is there any way to release a stuck electric brake from the outside?

 

[George2615]

Try removing the wheel, then tap on the drum with a hammer. Sounds like the pivot arm with the magnet that swings has rusted in braked position. Also check your breakaway switch to make sure the pin hasn't pulled out. Also disconnect the trailer brake battery.

 

[Sodo]

I've been using the trailer a lot in the last 2 months, and twice yesterday.
When I drive it I always test-activate the brake using the controller on my truck dashboard.
That way I am certain the brakes will work if I need them.
And I worry thgat the 7-pin plug may have fallen out etc, so I'm always confirming that the brakes are working.
Also I have a steep downhill that I use the engine & 4-Lo to descend.
For that hill I always use the dash brake-control.

Anyway, all that to say..... it's not brake shoes rusted stuck to the drums.
But it sits in a very humid environment and the backing plates are real rusty.
So you're saying hammer shocks might release the magnet arm?
I will try that.

In this internet pic..... it looks like theres a hole in the backing plate that you can pry on the actuating arm.
I will try that.

 

[Hay Dude]

I just did brakes on one corner of my 38,500lb gooseneck.]
Shoe cracked and wore out drum.
It was a sumbeetch getting the 12-1/4” drum and hub off

Can’t believe the prices for Dexter parts.
$650!

 

[George2615]

There are videos on YT on how electric trailer brakes work which will show you what is inside and how the magnet pulls an arm to engage the brakes. In your high humid environment its highly possible the arm may have rusted in the on position applying the shoe to the drum.

 

[airbiscuit]

Can you back off the adjuster?

 

[garry1p]

That won't help if it's stuck.
However, back it off and hit the drum with a hammer that may loosen it up.

 

[4570Man]

Are you sure there’s no power going to that hub from the break away switch or something?

 

[4570Man]

I just did brakes on one corner of my 38,500lb gooseneck.]
Shoe cracked and wore out drum.
It was a sumbeetch getting the 12-1/4” drum and hub off

View attachment 1777419


Can’t believe the prices for Dexter parts.
$650!

View attachment 1777417

Heavy duty electric brakes are freaking expensive. I was wondering what it would cost to convert to hydraulic disk vs pads and drums on all 4 when the day comes that my trailer needs it.

 

[nisaacs]

There is a good possibility you have a wheel bearing sized.

If in fact, you do have a brake locked up, you might be able to unbolt the backing plate and pull the whole works off.

 

[nisaacs]

Can’t believe the prices for Dexter parts.
$650!

You might check with the following next time. Quite a bit cheaper.

DEXTER 12-1/4" x 5" Brake Drum Only, 8-7.50 #009-028-01

Dexter 9-28-1 Brake Drum for 12.25 Inch x 5 Inch Dexter 12K-15K Axles

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Dexter/DX34XR.html

 

[Hay Dude]

You might check with the following next time. Quite a bit cheaper.

DEXTER 12-1/4" x 5" Brake Drum Only, 8-7.50 #009-028-01

Dexter 9-28-1 Brake Drum for 12.25 Inch x 5 Inch Dexter 12K-15K Axles

https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Dexter/DX34XR.html

Not much cheaper anyway. I bought mine in tax free Delaware.

Drum was $369 with no tax
Brake shoes, springs, etc. kit was $395 no tax.

In fact, your first link to etrailer shows they drop ship the drum from the very company I purchased my drum from Eastern Marine in Newark, DE. lol

 

[TMGT]

Last time I had a wheel lock up it was due to one shoe lining coming lose and wedging between the other shoe and drum.

 

[nisaacs]

Not much cheaper anyway. I bought mine in tax free Delaware.

Drum was $369 with no tax
Brake shoes, springs, etc. kit was $395 no tax.

In fact, your first link to etrailer shows they drop ship the drum from the very company I purchased my drum from Eastern Marine in Newark, DE. lol

View attachment 1786627

Okay, that makes more sense. I didn't see where you purchased more than the drum.

Were you doing normal maintenance and found the bad brake, or did something acting up, point you to that brake? Good catch.

 

[Sodo]

4570 this trailer has no battery backup system but good call.

TMGT, Brake lining coming loose and gumming up the works is feasible.
I doubt a bearing would lock up, I'd expect that kind of problem to happen at speed.

It was all working normal when I parked it (the day before).
Then the very next time I used it, 'the brake controller gain' was still at 10 (max)
and I was reversing the empty trailer but was not able to maneuver it (because one wheel was locked up).
I could see one rear wheel pushing up a pile of leaves in the mirror.
So I turned the gain down to zero, (expecting *that* to be the problem) but it was still stuck.

I had to unbolt the one wheel to get the trailer out of there.

There's no holes in the backing plate, no access to the internal mechanism.
I'm waiting for the rain to let up.

 

[Sodo]

Got the brake apart!
TGMT, you were right.

I thought that if it was friction material that since the first thing I did was reverse, that rolling the wheel forward might un-stick it.
You can see my strap-wrap and the come-a-long.
It worked (easily).

the friction material is still 4.5mm thick.
I'm thinking this 1998 trailer has had an easy life.

Here's the magnet shoe.
First time I've worked on a trailer brake - but this looks like it has a long lifetime remaining.

So I have to order some brake shoes.
How can I figure out what size brake this is?

 

[Topzide]

Looks like 12 inch drums. Is it stamped in the face of the drum? Sometimes, you get lucky, and specs are on the drum.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Measure the diameter of the drum and the width of the swept area in the drum. That should give you dimensions very close to your shoe size. Brake shoe that is.

 

[Hay Dude]

Got the brake apart!
TGMT, you were right.

View attachment 1800908


I thought that if it was friction material that since the first thing I did was reverse, that rolling the wheel forward might un-stick it.
You can see my strap-wrap and the come-a-long.
It worked (easily).
View attachment 1800911

the friction material is still 4.5mm thick.
I'm thinking this 1998 trailer has had an easy life.

View attachment 1800929
Here's the magnet shoe.
First time I've worked on a trailer brake - but this looks like it has a long lifetime remaining.

So I have to order some brake shoes.
How can I figure out what size brake this is?

I’d suggest replacing everything. Although a bit more in parts, you’ll have the entire brake assembly rebuilt all in one day.

 

[WinterDeere]

Last time I had a wheel lock up it was due to one shoe lining coming lose and wedging between the other shoe and drum.

Same. In my case, it bound up for a second, then released. But then things sounded mighty awful after that, until I pulled the thing apart to find what was rattling around in there.