Just rebuilt my entire brake system, and have a question

[Friscoboater]

I have a 1995 Shorelandr trailer and today I replaced all the brake comments, as they did not work at all. I am no stranger to brake jobs and everything went well. I am so paranoid about heat, and this leads me to my question. When I pulled it back to my storage unit (the brakes worked awesome) I noticed the hubs and wheel were pretty hot. They were about as hot as your front brakes on your car would be after driving. We jacked up the read and verified that they were not dragging, and everything seamed fine. Is this just normal heat buildup because of the friction from the braking?

These are surge brakes, with drums. I replaced the whole surge mech at the tongue, the wheel cylinders and shoes. Then i bled the brakes, and it stops great.

I just want to know how much heat is bad.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Just rebuilt my entire brake system, and have a question

That's what brakes do, convert the moving energy to heat. Totally normal! If you really want to be anal about it, get an IR gun and measure them just to make sure they are all equal in temp.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Just rebuilt my entire brake system, and have a question

I thought so, but I wanted to run it by you guys.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Just rebuilt my entire brake system, and have a question

Just to make sure we cover all bases.....
Assuming you worked on the bearings, when you tightened the spindle nut, it was by hand, and not by a big wrench...
and then loosened ever so slightly?
Bearing are better too loose than too tight.

---------------------------
In case you decide to get anal, as a point of reference...
When I went to the top of Pikes Peak on vacation, they warned everyone to use engine braking on the way back down and avoid using the brakes as much as possible.
About half way down they stopped everyone and pointed an IR thermometer at the wheels.
If you were over 300*F you had to stop to let them cool.
Mine were at 205*.
So if you can even touch them for a second, they are not too hot.
If the Brake drums did not change color from the heat, you are Fine!

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Just rebuilt my entire brake system, and have a question

All new bearings and yes the nut is just barely on.