Posted 2014-08-30 9:48 PM (#160588) Subject: Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
Member
Posts: 13
Location: TEXAS
Got a text from my wife while I was stuck on weekend call. The left rear brake on her 4H Sundowner Sunlite LQ locked up. Also the wires to the left front had been damaged. Daughter heard it as they were pulling in. A guy came out to work on it and also said the axles were bent again. These are the second pair, getting about 3 years per set. She hauls usually 4 big barrel horses and lord knows what she drives over to get those kids to the event.I'm not sure but I believe they are 7K Dexter torsion axles. Should I just replace with the same or is there something better? Can I go up to 8K?Also I might want to go to a 17.5 tire and wheel. Any tips for that as well? Thanks in advance. HAppy Labor day!!
Posted 2014-08-31 10:11 AM (#160590 - in reply to #160588) Subject: RE: Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 448 Location: Los Angeles, Ca.
Ditto....have the trailer weighed loaded then talk to the techs at Dexter and then your wife about her driving technique.........(apologies to the wife)
Posted 2014-08-31 11:50 AM (#160592 - in reply to #160588) Subject: RE: Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
you said the brake was locked up?? so why do you think and axel is bent? first good sign of this is tire wear. I have been around alot of heavy trailers and yes I have seen bent ones but they have really been abused by heavy over loading and tight turns.
Posted 2014-08-31 3:44 PM (#160593 - in reply to #160588) Subject: RE: Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
Regular
Posts: 97 Location: mancelona michigan
after thinking about this,the scenario could be that she hit something in the road or drug the left side of the trailer into/over something resuting in tearing the wires out of the front brake and bending the spindle of the rear axle to the point that the drum was jammed into the shoes and backing plate. I just cant imagine how much force that would take on a 7k axle assy.
Posted 2014-08-31 3:50 PM (#160594 - in reply to #160588) Subject: RE: Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
Regular
Posts: 97 Location: mancelona michigan
another thing,as close as the tires run to the box she could have done what I said above and jammed the tire into the side of the box,thus keeping it from rotateing.either way the axle is toast.
Posted 2014-08-31 5:25 PM (#160596 - in reply to #160588) Subject: RE: Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
Expert
Posts: 2957 Location: North Carolina
Another possibility is a very tight turn that scrubs the tires & axles. A left turn maneuver would pivot the trailer around the left side tires bending the stubs. Maybe catching a brake wire too.
Posted 2014-08-31 8:06 PM (#160600 - in reply to #160588) Subject: RE: Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
Regular
Posts: 97 Location: mancelona michigan
Actually,a four horse with an 8' SW would probably be close but OK at 14000 gross if the horses were only 1500# or so..Our 2 H x8'SWLQ has 2 5200# dexters and w/o animals only carries 6900# on the axles.
Posted 2014-09-01 5:57 PM (#160604 - in reply to #160588) Subject: RE: Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
Member
Posts: 13
Location: TEXAS
Thanks for all the input. THe brakes "locked" because a spring broke. They didn't actually lock I guess. They're getting home soon so I can see what I got. Thanks again.Jeff
Posted 2014-09-02 7:01 AM (#160612 - in reply to #160588) Subject: RE: Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
Member
Posts: 13
Location: TEXAS
OK the trailer's home and the axles ARE NOT bent, they are crowned in the middle I believe that is how they come from the factory. If they were bent they'd be sagging correct?
Posted 2014-09-02 7:53 AM (#160614 - in reply to #160588) Subject: RE: Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350 Location: Penrose, Colorado
look at the trailer from a little distance and see if they look right and also from the rear, most trailers with bent axels look like the tires lean to the outside, do you have un even tire wear??? this is the real indicator of something wrong.
Posted 2014-09-02 9:50 PM (#160619 - in reply to #160588) Subject: RE: Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
Member
Posts: 13
Location: TEXAS
Now the brakes:The 2 wires from the harness leading to the left front brake broke off at the butt connector, the cable clamp was missing that holds the plastic conduit tube of the harness. I used the ohmmeter to see which wire was ground since they are BOTH red and they both check GROUND?? SHows zero resistance (they're still detached from the magnet art this time). They are connected in parallel to the rear brakes so those are grounded too.I don't get it. I took the cover off the outlet box that holds all the connections and nothing is burnt or frayed.ALSO the guy that made the temporary fix said that the brakes had gotten overheated because the metal frame was reddish in color. I saw a picture of a brand new brake assembly and it's painted that way is it not?Should I just replace all the brake assemblies? I can get them for $205 each minus 10% and free shipping from FinditParts.com. Or just replace the one assembly? I'm afraid if one spring broke another might?I know too many questions.Thanks
Posted 2014-09-02 11:40 PM (#160622 - in reply to #160588) Subject: RE: Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
There is no polarity on the brake magnets. Either wire can be a ground or hot wire. It's easier to check for voltage when trouble shooting. If you solder the joints and use shrink wrap tubing on the splices, you can be assured of the best continuity and mechanical connection. If you have access to aircraft or marine AMP butt splices and a crimping tool, the job is easier and faster.
On E bay there are two types of full brake assemblies, Dexter OEM and less expensive Chinese copies. The EBay pricing is very nominal for the complete units with free shipping. Change both brakes on the same axle. As long as you are replacing one axle's brakes, changing them on both axles, will ensure a long and trouble free usage, without having to go back and readdress the issue again.
I've replaced the Dexter brake assemblies with new Dexter products, and found then to be complete and trouble free. I don't know what the Chinese products are like, but with the nominal savings, I wanted the OEM products.
Axles Bad Again and Brake Locked Up
