I have this strange noise, kinda like metal chirping or clacking when I get the trailer going 15mph and faster. I cannot figure out what the noise is or even exactly where it is coming from. after riding my kids bike along side the trailer while my neighbor drove, I have concluded that the noise is coming from the wheels. The only thing I can think is that the disc brakes pads are rattling as they are loose, or it could be the bearings going out or possibly it could be the little hub inserts on the the aluminum wheels. Honestly, I am just guessing and am hoping someone might shed some light on the mystery. I recently repacked the bearings on the trailer this past summer and followed the instructions on this forum to the tee. I am hoping this noise is not a result of me doing something wrong but at this point I am only guessing. Any thoughts?
wayne
In my past life I worked in the auto repair business. It is very common for wheel covers and wheel trim to make clicking, and other noises. IMO it would be less likely for the disk brakes to be making noise, usually they will click when applying brakes after changing directions, ie forward or backward. This would cause the pad to shift in the direction of the wheel rotation.
Get a rubber mallett and bang around on the wheel, you can usually duplicate the noise and pinpoint it.
The 77's that came with disk brakes usually came with Mag wheels with no hub caps, so that is out. The 40 year old disk brakes usually make noise and wear unevenly. It is likely one of the brake shoes has one end of one pad worn out. The only way I got mine to wear evenly was to, rotate them half way through their life. Andy has new sets but he charges alot. You can buy them direct for alot less if you can locate the supplier.
I have this strange noise, kinda like metal chirping or clacking when I get the trailer going 15mph and faster. I cannot figure out what the noise is or even exactly where it is coming from. after riding my kids bike along side the trailer while my neighbor drove, I have concluded that the noise is coming from the wheels. The only thing I can think is that the disc brakes pads are rattling as they are loose, or it could be the bearings going out or possibly it could be the little hub inserts on the the aluminum wheels. Honestly, I am just guessing and am hoping someone might shed some light on the mystery. I recently repacked the bearings on the trailer this past summer and followed the instructions on this forum to the tee. I am hoping this noise is not a result of me doing something wrong but at this point I am only guessing. Any thoughts?
wayne
Hi Wayne; Remove wheel caps and repeat your drive test. Second, jack up one side of the trailer and spin the wheels by hand, any growling noise while wheel is rotating indicates problem with bearings which is magnified under load. Do not mistake brake pad drag for the low growl of the bearing. Compare the sound of each wheel against rest of them. Loose lug nut may be possibility. Check for cracked welds on inside of rims. Check torque on axle retaining bolts to frame, by trying to turn bolt heads exposed behind the wheels. If they turn easy, they are loose. Check shock absorber bushings for free play. Finally be sure your trailer plug is clean and dry at the TV.
Hope you uncover the mystery. Thanks "Boatdoc"
I'd vote for check the bearings...its a good time of the year to grease 'em up anyway.
I really subscribe to the "get a bigger hammer" school of thought too.
Apply it to all problems.
Hi Wayne; Remove wheel caps and repeat your drive test. Second, jack up one side of the trailer and spin the wheels by hand, any growling noise while wheel is rotating indicates problem with bearings which is magnified under load. Do not mistake brake pad drag for the low growl of the bearing. Compare the sound of each wheel against rest of them. Loose lug nut may be possibility. Check for cracked welds on inside of rims. Check torque on axle retaining bolts to frame, by trying to turn bolt heads exposed behind the wheels. If they turn easy, they are loose. Check shock absorber bushings for free play. Finally be sure your trailer plug is clean and dry at the TV.
Hope you uncover the mystery. Thanks "Boatdoc"
Boatdoc, I am just curious about how the trailer plug could be a factor in this noise mystery. One reason is that I live in Oregon where it rains alot in the winter and having a dry trailer plug is difficult. we are wet most of the time up here. Just curious.
thanks for your input.
wayne
Boatdoc, I am just curious about how the trailer plug could be a factor in this noise mystery. One reason is that I live in Oregon where it rains alot in the winter and having a dry trailer plug is difficult. we are wet most of the time up here. Just curious.
thanks for your input.
wayne
Wayne,
You can get single strands of wire bridging each other that will cause partial/intermittent application of the brakes. I have actually had a similar problem that was caused by a dual filament bulb that had vibrated so much in it's socket that the lead on the leads was bridging the terminals in the socket...took a while to find that one.
Aaron
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....so many Airstreams....so little time...
WBCCI #2449 AIR #2495
Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
Boatdoc, I am just curious about how the trailer plug could be a factor in this noise mystery. One reason is that I live in Oregon where it rains alot in the winter and having a dry trailer plug is difficult. we are wet most of the time up here. Just curious.
thanks for your input.
wayne
Glad Press & Seal - wrap it around your plug and seal tightly when you aren't towing. I keep a roll in "Big Dawg" my tow vehicle.
ANOTHER item from the "Girl's Tool Kit" that's real handy.
Boatdoc, I am just curious about how the trailer plug could be a factor in this noise mystery. One reason is that I live in Oregon where it rains alot in the winter and having a dry trailer plug is difficult. we are wet most of the time up here. Just curious.
thanks for your input.
wayne
Hey Wayne; I was sure you would know why I said it. A wet shorted connection in your plug can momentarily send partial current to your brakes causing the solenoids to clack. Thanks "Boatdoc"
Hey all,
thanks for the advice. I am going to start eliminating the possibilities as boatdoc suggests. I will keep you posted. I was hoping to get to it today but the Christmas tree and lights had to come first. My 10 year old daughter was driving the day's agenda. Oh well.
Wayne
Earlier in the 20th century mischievious pranksters would put rocks in peoples hub caps. That silliness died out with full wheel covers as it did not have the same effect. If you have hub caps on your AS and have old pranksters that live near you.......
Neil.
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Neil and Lynn Holman FreshAir #12407
I have this strange noise, kinda like metal chirping or clacking when I get the trailer going 15mph and faster. I cannot figure out what the noise is or even exactly where it is coming from. after riding my kids bike along side the trailer while my neighbor drove, I have concluded that the noise is coming from the wheels. The only thing I can think is that the disc brakes pads are rattling as they are loose, or it could be the bearings going out or possibly it could be the little hub inserts on the the aluminum wheels. Honestly, I am just guessing and am hoping someone might shed some light on the mystery. I recently repacked the bearings on the trailer this past summer and followed the instructions on this forum to the tee. I am hoping this noise is not a result of me doing something wrong but at this point I am only guessing. Any thoughts?
wayne
Several different things can contribute to those noises.
1. Worn clevis pins.
2. Worn bushings in the calipers.
3. Worn or loose studs on the caliper brackets.
4. Warped rotors.
5. Lastly, a defective bearing.
You must remove the wheels to thoroughly inspect each disc brake assembly.
You can rotate each rotor by hand, to find which one is causing the noise.
They should all be absolutely silent.
Depending on what you find, we have replacement parts for the original Airstream disc brake system. We also overhaul the calipers.
I have this strange noise, kinda like metal chirping or clacking when I get the trailer going 15mph and faster. I cannot figure out what the noise is or even exactly where it is coming from. after riding my kids bike along side the trailer while my neighbor drove, I have concluded that the noise is coming from the wheels. The only thing I can think is that the disc brakes pads are rattling as they are loose, or it could be the bearings going out or possibly it could be the little hub inserts on the the aluminum wheels. Honestly, I am just guessing and am hoping someone might shed some light on the mystery. I recently repacked the bearings on the trailer this past summer and followed the instructions on this forum to the tee. I am hoping this noise is not a result of me doing something wrong but at this point I am only guessing. Any thoughts?
wayne
I still have this noise I described several months ago and was hoping it would go away when I replaced the bearings several days ago. I have narrowed it down to the the calipers. I raised the trailer and spun each wheel. I found that there is some very slight play in the wheels and this results in a rattle at the caliber They rattle on the mounting posts very slightly but enough to make the noise. My question is whether there should be any play in the wheels at all? Have I not tightened the bearing nut down enough?
thanks
wayne
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