Just a Reminder....

[bwright59]

I re-greased my wheel bearings on Tuesday this week and also checked my brakes at the same time. My left side brake pads were almost down to metal, the right side had plenty of pads remaining. Anyone know what may cause this?

I had to order new brakes for both axles from Etrailer and they arrived on Thursday and was ready to get the job finished that day. The brake assemblies are the easiest brakes I have ever done!

I am an old car guy and therefore like doing this kind of work and being retired now it gives me something to do and its FREE Labor. I think the worst part of this entire job is getting these 14 ply tires off and back on, the rest is easy work.

Just a reminder to re-grease those bearings at least annually and check your brakes.

 

[foldbak]

My first guess as a former mechanic, would be a sticking piston. But if both left brakes are worn then I would have to say, one sides working and one side isn't? You might have to put a pressure gauge on each feed line and compare. That's a strange one. I'll do some research.

 

[bwright59]

Well, the right side had some wear, just not as much as the left side. They are drum brakes, wondering if magnets not working properly would cause that?

 

[AZ Traveler]

You might have a broken wire on the right side? Easy to check by actuating the emergency brake.

 

[foldbak]

Well, the right side had some wear, just not as much as the left side. They are drum brakes, wondering if magnets not working properly would cause that?

Sorry, you said pads so I assumed they were disk. Most likely adjustment or as I stated, one side is working and the other isn't Could be several things.

 

[ChuckS]

Dont know the year of your RV but my OEM Dexter brakes are still in use after 11 years and over 55K miles of towing..

You've got an issue that needs resolving... either electrical or mechanical adjustment on both right side brake assys was way way off

Id be checking each brake out using the brake away switch and actuating the brakes and take amp draw readings on each of the four magnets to verify same amount of amp draw at each magnet

The wiring is in parallel by same feed wire to all four brakes and should be easy to check out ...

If the brakes are auto adjust then they adjust themselves each time you apply the brakes and are moving forward...

 

[jkxtreme]

Along the same subject topic... Our 5th wheel has zerk fittings under the dust caps on the axels. Can I use those to grease the bearings or do I still need to remove the wheels to grease them.

 

[foldbak]

Along the same subject topic... Our 5th wheel has zerk fittings under the dust caps on the axels. Can I use those to grease the bearings or do I still need to remove the wheels to grease them.

Called bearing buddies. Yes you can but!!! To much grease will push the inner grease seals out and onto the brake shoes destroying them. Personally I pump a couple squirts a couple times a year. BUT still need to do an annual bearing pack and brake inspection.

 

[jimcol]

Along the same subject topic... Our 5th wheel has zerk fittings under the dust caps on the axels. Can I use those to grease the bearings or do I still need to remove the wheels to grease them.

If you are not familiar with greasing via the zerk I suggest searching this forum
"greasing wheel bearings". You will find pages of pro's and con's and lots of do's and do not's. I always hand packed mine after reading horror stories of greasy brake drums caused by blown seals. Others on this forum have offered advice using the zerks and avoiding blowing the seals. Educate yourself than make the best decision for you.

 

[ChuckS]

Main reason for NOT USING Dexter EZ lube zerk fitting to grease those wheel bearings is...
You can't see condition of bearings, races, brake shoes, magnets,etc

They are not Bearing Buddies...

Use the Dexter Service manual ( and it states even if you use the EZ lube feature ) you still need to pull the hubs annually, clean, inspect, lube

 

[foldbak]

They are not Bearing Buddies...

Pretty much the same thing... I use as a generic term.