MSGTRETIREDCSP
Burlington, Colorado
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I recently decided to clean and grease my wheel bearings. What should have been a simple job turned out to be a pain in the a$$. I took off one wheel and noticed a wheel magnet came off inside the wheel and was all chewed up. Any way, i replced the wheel magnet and greased all the wheel bearings. All the other wheels appeared to be okay. Tried the brakes and nothing. I hear a quiet humming at the other three brakes but nothing at the brake that had the magnet replaced?? I took a 12v test light to it and it showed a very dim light? I switched the wires around and still the same dim light. I put everything back together and tried the brakes in our gravel driveway. I can feel the brakes slightly catching, but no brakes for all for most part. The brakes don't even stop or hold the trailer. It appears I'm getting low voltage to the trailer (I think?).
My question is where else can I look? I have the factory (built in)brake controller on a 2008 Ford. Could the low voltage be in the brake controller? Is there a fuse or other connections I should be checking?
I did notice on the last trip we took, it appeared my truck had to work harder at stopping the trailer. Thank goodness for the tow/haul mode. I hate to say it, but I think I was driving without trailer brakes??? Anway, I'm no expert on brakes, but I could sure use some help or suggestions. Thanks
2008 Ford, F-350, CC, 6.4 PSD
2007 Select Suites 5th Wheel
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Adjust the brakes
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
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nelson
Clio,Mi USA
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What are you calling low voltage? Did you compare the voltage to one of the others. You might need to replace the magnet. If the voltage is low I would start by checking the ground. Hope this helps
2002 Damon Challenger 348 Ford V10
Blue Ox Auto Stop and Aventa II Tow Bar
2001 Ford Sport Trac with Remco Driveshaft Disconnect
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MSGTRETIREDCSP
Burlington, Colorado
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donn0128 wrote:Adjust the brakes
I adjusted the brakes as far as I could. Nothing.
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MSGTRETIREDCSP
Burlington, Colorado
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nelson wrote:What are you calling low voltage? Did you compare the voltage to one of the others. You might need to replace the magnet. If the voltage is low I would start by checking the ground. Hope this helps
The low voltage was just from the test light. It was very dim at the trailer brakes. I checked the test light at the trailer plug and it was really bright. I don't have a volt meter.
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Explain exactly how you adjusted them please.
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MitchF150
Washington, the State
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donn0128 wrote:Adjust the brakes
That would be my first check.. I adjust mine so that when I free spin the wheel, I just start to hear the shoe scraping on the drum. Not enough to cause any actual 'drag', but just so I know it's really, really close..
If you are seeing a 'dim' light on your test prob, you might have a bad ground. Either at the connector or someplace further down the line.
Do the running lights dim at all? How about the brake/turn signals?
Just some WAGs for you.. Good luck!
Mitch
*Anything I post is for entertainment purposes only and what usually works for me.. Your Mileage May Vary..
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MSGTRETIREDCSP
Burlington, Colorado
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donn0128 wrote:Explain exactly how you adjusted them please.
Okay Don, I just came back inside. I went out and double checked the adjustment. I tighted each and every brake until I couldn't turn the wheel anymore. I backed off the adjustment until the wheel would turn. I could still hear the brake shoe making contact with the drum. I know brakes are adjusted right.
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MSGTRETIREDCSP
Burlington, Colorado
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MitchF150 wrote:donn0128 wrote:Adjust the brakes
That would be my first check.. I adjust mine so that when I free spin the wheel, I just start to hear the shoe scraping on the drum. Not enough to cause any actual 'drag', but just so I know it's really, really close..
If you are seeing a 'dim' light on your test prob, you might have a bad ground. Either at the connector or someplace further down the line.
Do the running lights dim at all? How about the brake/turn signals?
Just some WAGs for you.. Good luck!
I think I answered your first question. As far as the ground, that sounds like a good idea. I'll go out and check. Will get back with you. Thanks guys for all you suggestions so far. Sometimes you get so frustrated that you fail to see the obvious. 
Mitch
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dbbls
Missouri
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If you have the wire going through the axle, replace with one on the outside. Many times these wear off the insulation and short out.
2011 F-350 CC Lariat 4X4 Dually Diesel
2012 Big Country 3450TS 5th Wheel
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