This story begins when I offered to haul my friend's Aerostar van for my son. He lives skillful in an incredibly steep gravel hill.
We drove the van at the trailer, strapped it down tight, set the mass distributing hitch and I headed the hill. It was obviously all going well until I hit the brakes.
Basically there have been none. Only the fronts on your Suburban were locking. I pushed the massive red button given on my home made trailer brake controller opening up comprehensive 13.7 volts but nothing. Well less than you think. I have been still dropping way outtrace I attempted to!
The trailer brakes should have locked up solid in the event the red button is pushed making everything a minimum of slide straight - compared to the trailer aiming to pass the Suburban. Discussion about the cart prior to the horse!
The method the load was pushing around that Suburban, I had been really glad I had developed not made an attempt to tow with my little Jeep Cherokee.
Once that job was ended I backed the trailer directly into shop to take my first look into those trailer brakes. I actually have owned this trailer for nearly twenty five a number of I have never seen inside the brake drums climbing it. I guess previously it was about time.
My inspection of the initial drum showed me somewhat about how exactly electric trailer brakes work. There is certainly an electromagnet that pulls contrary to the surrounding the drum. The friction of the magnet against the drum moves one shoe that in turn moves one other shoe by using a cam action.
Pretty simple. But for me have not see anything wrong. The shoes looked fine, the drum was fine except for some scoring exactly where the magnet rubbed. I actually have power into the magnet also it appear to pull OK. But, the friction of the magnet on the drum was obviously insufficient amounts of to work the shoes.
I could'nt work out how a magnet could go bad, but thats what it seemed. Go for some Internet research.
I eventually found an internet website that said magnet failure was common on electric trailer brakes. Therefore i went buying for trailer brake magnets. Most places wanted more often for the magnet than I possibly could buy the whole backing assembly for. To get one for a local parts store I'd have to pay above I could buy two backing assemblies for. And new magnets are part of the backing plate assemblies.
Just after i was about to surrender indicate new assemblies, I stumbled upon Auto Safety House. They may also use some try their web site, but nonetheless they have discount prices.
I discovered some new drums on e bay and I was the sole one that bid i really got both for the price value of one. Then an await Danny - my UPS driver - to bring them to be able to me. Naturally the drums and magnets arrived on different days so he ought to visit by using dog Smash twice.
Upon closer inspection of the trailer brakes, I noticed i always still hasn't recognize how they worked. Something just did not look right in regards to the way the cams worked. It sure sounded like they would be stronger in reverse. Which in turn trailer has always been hard to copy whenever the brakes are working right.
A quick try to find the Dexter Brakes web site confirmed my suspicions. The rear axle for my trailer was installed backwards.
I chose the bearings didn't really care if they were spinning backwards, and so i elected to only swap the brake assemblies left to right.
Having them off made installing the magnets and routing the not that little green wires somewhat easier. I discovered that a few lubricant made getting them in the grommets lots easier.
Dexter Magnets are identified because of the wire color. An appropriate one for my 3500lb axles will probably be the green wire. Nice they have not changed that in 25 years.
The magnets are held in by spring clips that have been really hard to have off. I used a small screwdriver plus a pry bar and bent them slightly to have them off. Fresh magnets sported new clips anyway.
I loaded fresh bearings with axle grease and installed fresh brake drums. They aren't Dexter brand nonetheless the fit just fine.
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The wiring is was pretty electric trailer brakes easy to reconnect as there is no polarity on your magnets. Just connect one wire towards the brake controller power lead and 1 to ground. Dexter recommends running a separate ground wire i just grounded this maker to the trailer frame adore it were electric trailer brakes done before.
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