New Brake Sensitivity

[banderabob]

We replaced our brakes a few months ago on our 2012 23D (we've owned it 2+ years) following a two month journey on plenty of crappy roads. New drums, magnets, shoes, the works on all four wheels. Since the new installation, I have played with the brake controller to maximize the trailer assist without totally jerking to a stop. The only way I can get to where it doesn't feel like I am slamming on the brakes is a setting where it simply feels like the trailer brakes are not being activated at all. (In the past, that has cost me new rotors on the TV.) They lock-up with no hesitation on my gravel drive. My question is this.....with everything new, does it take time for all the new components to settle-in or get bedded? Way not my area of expertise!

[pcskier]

What controller are you using? I know that on my Tekonsha P3, which I normally have set at around 9 or 10, I have experienced this same thing suddenly happening...and realized I accidentally pushed the buttons and put it in one of the "Boost" modes.

[Bill M.]

Yes, in my experience it takes a while for the new brakes to get "worn in". I rode around and bumped mine with the hand lever for quit a while the last time I changed brakes. Another possibility is that they have grease on them. But I would try wearing them in before I took one apart and checked for contamination.

[SSquared]

The Dexter axle manual also says brakes take time to wear in.

I had a new axle installed on my Scamp last year. The brakes acted so grabby, I took it back to the shop. The double-checked the install, then told me to apply the brakes by hand many times while on the highway (without letting brakes overheat). I did that, and also took a trip over and back on Trail Ridge Road (12,000 feet of elevation). Then the brakes were fine.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

A lot of the advice you see here seems to lead to a *lot* of braking on the trailer. Indeed you can go the other way and take out the TV brakes. No matter how you adjust things, you are stopping a lot of mass. That is going to have some effect somewhere.

At least the last time I got all 4 wheels done, I did not see a lot of issues. I *did* back off on the gain on the controller a bit. My expectation was that there would not be as much assist from the trailer as a result. Thus I may not have noticed things quite as much as I might have.

Bob

[banderabob]

Originally Posted by pcskier

What controller are you using? I know that on my Tekonsha P3, which I normally have set at around 9 or 10, I have experienced this same thing suddenly happening...and realized I accidentally pushed the buttons and put it in one of the "Boost" modes.

I think it’s the same brand, not sure of model.

Thanks all for the responses. I was thinking it would smooth out over time, so glad to hear that opinion.

[ROBERT CROSS]

As noted...Back off the controller, find an empty lot and drive around with AS brakes only. It sometimes does take a while for the shoes to radius to the drums.

Bob
🇺🇸