Help! Brakes stuck/squeaking?!?!

[mikeoxlong]

I have a 94' Excella 34' triple axel.
On my way through Waterford Connecticut, I was cut off several times in interstate traffic. The last time, my wife who was trailing me in the car, saw the brakes smoke for a short stretch after I had to brake sharply.
When we arrived at the campground and she was out of her car while I backed in she said that she heard squeaking when I was in motion. Of course she didn't tell me about it until I was fully set-up.
My question is this; if I have a break hanging up, do you think hitting the break sharply while backing up will unstuck it? Or do I need to jack it up and disassemble it?

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by mikeoxlong

I have a 94' Excella 34' triple axel.
On my way through Waterford Connecticut, I was cut off several times in interstate traffic. The last time, my wife who was trailing me in the car, saw the brakes smoke for a short stretch after I had to brake sharply.
When we arrived at the campground and she was out of her car while I backed in she said that she heard squeaking when I was in motion. Of course she didn't tell me about it until I was fully set-up.
My question is this; if I have a break hanging up, do you think hitting the break sharply while backing up will unstuck it? Or do I need to jack it up and disassemble it?

The squeaking noise could be the brake wear indicators. Brake pads/shoes have a small, metal clip on them that rub against the rotor/drum to let you know when you need to replace them.

The other possibility is you have a stuck caliper/wheel cylinder, holding the brake against the rotor/drum.

I seriously doubt that backing up will fix things, you'll need to open it up and see what's going on.

[J. Morgan]

Electric trailer brakes squeak sometimes, and, if used sharply they can and will smoke, but, in a single hard application, the smoke seen was PROBABLY from a tire skid.

If your brakes still work well, they are PROBABLY ok, although it is not inconceivable that the linings might have separated from a shoe.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

How long has it been since the brakes were re-done? If the answer is "quite a while ago" they are due for a check. Either pull it apart yourself or run over to a shop and let them fiddle with it all. You *do* want to check all six wheels. That's a lot of lug nuts ...

Bob

[mikeoxlong]

This is my first trip after buying her. She spent the last nine years up on blocks in a barn. Although she looks like new, there have been a few bugs to work out. The PO (a 35 year Airstream employee) had installed a new water pump...plumbed backwards. The holding tank gate valves are leaking badly. (Gotta research replacements) Re-pack bearings. And, of course, brakes...

[GCinSC2]

Mike,

For your peace of mind, pulling wheels and inspecting is good advice and you'll either learn alot or pay for this service, somehow.

I've suggested this with almost each brake thread that I comment on, consider getting an IR temp gun and use it to check brake, hub and tire temps especially while you are on first trips until this normalizes.

Braking makes heat, the temp gun checks temps, no heat, no braking. There is no must achieve this value you're just looking for uniformity. Cold or cool drums after braking ain't brakes.

Please post back with findings.

Good luck,

Gary

[Rich W]

Originally Posted by mikeoxlong

This is my first trip after buying her. She spent the last nine years up on blocks in a barn. Although she looks like new, there have been a few bugs to work out. The PO (a 35 year Airstream employee) had installed a new water pump...plumbed backwards. The holding tank gate valves are leaking badly. (Gotta research replacements) Re-pack bearings. And, of course, brakes...

If the brakes haven't been worked on for the 9 years it's been sitting in the barn, I'd say there's your problem. The pads/shoes are no longer good and need to be replaced and the rotors/drums turned. The brake fluid should be replaced, and the wheel cylinders need to be checked for leaks and that they're functioning properly. You already know about the brakes.

As for the gate valves, if they're like mine (which I just replaced), if those gaskets aren't seated properly (flanges must meet, no space between flanges and the gate valve) they will leak.

Sounds like you have a good project for the winter. Heading to Florida?

[GCinSC2]

Any reports on conclusion?

[mikeoxlong]

I pulled out here to Connecticut for work, and have been working to many hours to be able to check it out yet...[emoji53]

[mikeoxlong]

Ok, finally had a minute to take the squeaky wheel apart. The problem turned out to be a broken return spring on the brake shoe. It will be an easy fix, if I can find replacement part information.
Anyone know where I can find a part number?

[GCinSC2]

Dexter website is very helpful. If you have a friendly dealer nearby, chance for one from a scrap donor brake job.

[mikeoxlong]

Copy that.
Napa tells me they have the spring in stock! We shall see...

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Easy for me to say when it's not me doing the work .... It might be worth checking the other wheels at some point over the next few months.

Bob

[mikeoxlong]

10-4 check out brakes. Re-pack bearings.
I think while I'm at napa I will buy a backup brake assembly and bearing. I've been through this breakdown before and getting parts blew a hole in my schedule.