vibration from trailer braking

[ckkoch09]

Hi all,

My boat trailer started something new yesterday when I was going down hill braking. I started getting a very loud grinding sound and vibration until stoped. I don't get it everytime and did not get it when I was stopping on flat ground. any ideas on what to look at? It did not act like a out of balance drum and the sound was not like metal to metal brake shoes. the surge brakes do bang sometimes when stopping. Can air cause this? Thanks, Chris

 

[Starcraft5834]

Pull wheels inspect caliper and shoes..when one end is off ground spin hub while someone pumps actuator. .see if something loose.. your caliper slide pins could be sticking.. how long have u had those break pads on?

 

[bruceb58]

You can get vibration from greased soaked brake linings. Since you have drum brakes, you won't have calipers and slides.

The banging can be caused by a bad master cylinder, air in the lines or out of adjustment brake shoes.

Time to pull the drums.

 

[ckkoch09]

I pulled the right side drum off and found the seal leaked grease out. There was no sign of water in the hub but there was a little grease on the shoes and the drum. Can this cause the problems? The shoes have a lot of pad on them and nothing looked broken. I am guessing they were over grease with the bearing buddies on the trailer. Thanks again, Chris

 

[bruceb58]

I pulled the right side drum off and found the seal leaked grease out. There was no sign of water in the hub but there was a little grease on the shoes and the drum. Can this cause the problems? The shoes have a lot of pad on them and nothing looked broken. I am guessing they were over grease with the bearing buddies on the trailer. Thanks again, Chris

You need to replace the shoes, replace the rear seal and learn how to use Bearing Buddys or throw your grease gun away. Many people think its good to grease them every time they go out. What happened to you is what happens when you shoot too much grease in them. Only need enough to allow the piston to slightly rock. Anymore and you blow out the seal like you did. Once the hub is full, you never need to add grease.

The grease makes the shoes grabby. You would think the opposite but that's not the case. They can NOT be cleaned. Use brake cleaner to clean off everything else.

What happened to you happened to my dad in the early 70's.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Ck Need to pull everything apart and see whats up???

 

[bruceb58]

Ck Need to pull everything apart and see whats up???

He already pulled one drum off.

 

[Starcraft5834]

my bad.. he made reference to both drum and surge.. did not pick up on what he was actually talking about

 

[bruceb58]

my bad.. he made reference to both drum and surge.. did not pick up on what he was actually talking about

Drum brakes are surge brakes.

 

[HalfFish5087]

Maybe I missed someones recommendation, but if your going to be pulling the drums off and replacing shoes I would defiantly have the drums turned. Just about any corner auto store can do this for about $10 each. This will make make sure you have good contact with the shoes and take care of any out of roundness should it exist.

 

[ckkoch09]

Thankyou everyone for the help on this, Chris

 

[bruceb58]

It won't hurt turning them although I don't think you really have to. Your choice on that one.