Brake trouble, right wheel get hot
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Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11920
Printed Date: 05 May 2024 at 5:03am
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Topic: Brake trouble, right wheel get hot
Posted By: VeroSail
Subject: Brake trouble, right wheel get hot
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2018 at 6:26am
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I own a R-pod 2018 178 and got many troubles with it since purchase last year July 13th. Since about a mount I noticed that the right wheel get heating after a short ride, more than the left side that seems normal. I told that to my dealer who answered me to look at the bearings. I did my job this week end and found the bearings in perfect shape on both side, but signs of break heating in the right side. Yesterday I went to my dealer with my R-Pod, and they told it needed only to be adjusted. So they cleaned the breaks (what I did last week end), adjusted the right wheel more loose to turn as free as the left side, and adjusted the trailer breaks with the Jeep and the electronic box inside the Jeep. I went back home and noticed the problem is not fixed, the right wheel is still too hot, and if I jack the r-pod and turn the wheel, I can ear a noise of friction inside the drum. When I do that the Jeep is not connected to the trailer, and it is the same if the jeep is connected with the cable on. So, exactly the same situation I noticed before going to the dealer. Called back immediately the dealer, and they told me that I can change the breaks both side for conventional non automatic breaks and that will fix my problem. I am a little bit disappointed because I don't want to pay for something that broke before the end of the warranty, and the dealer did just not find it... and more than that, it appears the dealer doesn't know how to fix it without changing the system. Also, it look like as if this is a common problem with these Lippert automatic breaks and they don't know how to solve this. The dealer admitted that last year, a brand new R-Pod just delivered form the factory arrived with a burned wheel and that was a break failure... Is anybody have a solution how to fix it without changing the system? |
Replies:
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2018 at 7:36am
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First - you did an excellent job of detailing issue. Sometimes we don't get that:) From you post I take it this is a recent problem, so I assume something has changed. That could be pads, springs, magnets etc. The magnets can fail, springs can weaken. It is obvious readjustment did not alleviate the issue. Also the force that a brake puts against the drum is determine by the current of the magnet. If I were your brake person, I would have readjusted the brake and then test drove to ensure it wasn't over applying. Once I did that I would know the brake isn't working and the failed component needs to be isolated. You can jump the brake control at the 7 pin trailer connector to apply a brake signal and physically watch what brake does. At the 7 pin with alignment lug at top, the 12V is at the 11 position and the brake control is at 7.
Here's a link to the Lippert Brake Manual: https://www.lci1.com/assets/content/support/manuals/Axles%20and%20Suspension/Electric_Brake_Owners_and_Service_Manual.pdf If you're not comfortable with your dealer, I suggest you find a reputable brake technician. There's procedures to check every component to include the magnets for proper amp draw. Here is a link to etrailer to check brake magnets: https://www.etrailer.com/faq-testing-trailer-brake-magnets-for-proper-function.aspx We'd like to hear back from you, not everything is fixed in a single post. Bottom line is your brakes can be fixed, just need to find a tech that will take on the task. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2018 at 7:37am
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Go to a brake shop. Here in Nashville there are specialized brake and bearing shop that will take you in and fix a problem the same day. Worth checking: Make sure your break-away brake switch is pushed in (not on). TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Marchhall
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2018 at 12:03pm
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Downshift and save your brakes. ------------- Outdoorsy Marc 2016 Rpod 179 2017 Kia Sorento SXL |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2018 at 1:13pm
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You can downshift until your blue in the face and it won't help a sticking brake. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: VeroSail
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2018 at 2:06pm
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Of course, downshifting would not help for this problem, there was friction inside the drum even if the trailer was not connected to the brake cable. I went yesterday to see another mechanic place in St-Hubert, near Montreal and they found my dealer did not adjusted it properly. They explained to me that the new automatic brakes on the R-Pods adjustments are made in the reverse side than the old conventional manual brakes. It means that the dealer tried to loose the wheel, but they tighted it up... Making more friction and grip. It appears that only one wheel was breaking on the trailer because of this lack of adjustment. To make sure and to reassure me, the guy tested the magnets and looked at all the components of the brakes to make sure all was working well. After the adjustment, I went to a one hour test drive, speeding on the highway, driving in city, braking at the stops and many red lights... And no more heating. Went back to the garage, take the temperature, both wheel were normal temperature, Yey!!
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2018 at 2:59pm
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Unfortunately, the service department at some dealers hires people who do not bother to learn about the systems they are trying to "fix" and end up making things worse. I'm glad you found someone competent to fix what the other "mechanic" messed up.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2018 at 3:53pm
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Excellent Verosail, a good brake tech is a valuable asset. Happy you got that fixed. All makes sense to me. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Marchhall
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2018 at 4:25pm
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My message taken out of context. If you learn to downshift, you save your tow vehicle and camper brakes in first place. |
Posted By: VeroSail
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2018 at 4:32pm
| Thank you guys for your support, wish you great vacations with your Pod ;-) |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2018 at 4:39pm
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OK, what Verosail is talking about is forward adjust braking systems vice the old/norm reverse adjust drum brake systems, that many of us old timers are accustomed to. As far as downshifting, my auto trans downshifts based upon shift points, forcing it to a shift point, is not proactive, especially when you look at cost of shoes to cost of a transmission. IMHO, as a life long mechanic. Properly adjusted brakes will work fine as verified by this post. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: VeroSail
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2018 at 4:55pm
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I understand what you mean about the downshift. But in the context here, the wheel was heating even if I was driving on highway during hours without braking. There was friction in the drum even I wasn't braking. So downshifting wasn't a way to help me to solve the problem. But thank you for taking time to answer something. Fortunately, I found someone competent who found how to adjust it properly. Very happy to learn that the system was not broken, just very poorly adjusted... by the dealer how sold me this brand new R-Pod...
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Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2018 at 6:41pm
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I had this exact problem, with the right wheel as well. My dealer also told me there was nothing wrong. I went back and took a look. I don't remember exactly what it was I found. I found that a part of the brake assembly had a bit of play in it. It might have been the magnetic piece is, I forget. They were explaining how it all worked and that's when i found it. I told them that i think the brake could get stuck "sometimes" if that part happens to get in the way. I convinced them to give me a whole new brake assembly under warranty. I havent had a problem since. I monitor my hub temperature pretty closely with a laser thermometer. I wish I remembered exactly what it was. If I was looking at it, I could pick it out in a second. My dealer did propose taking out the self adjusting brakes on mine if I kept having problems, but THEY were going to warranty it. I think your dealer might suck. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2018 at 7:23pm
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If you remember what it is, I would like to know as well. Would this picture of https://store.lci1.com/forward-self-adjusting-brake-1 - Lippert electrical brakes help? It gets me to thinking. What if the wrong side was installed, such as a right hand model when a left should have been or vice versa? ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2018 at 2:59pm
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unfortunately Stephen, the picture doesn't help. Great idea though. I notice the problem as I watched the movement of the brake. The picture has great detail, but I don't see it in real 3D and live movement. I'm sorry about that. ------------- 2017.5 Rp-172 2020 R-pod 195 2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl I'll be rpodding |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2018 at 7:55am
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Mike, are you saying one should not downshift with an auto trans to use the engine to slow the vehicle? On our car, it is specifically set up for easy down shifting. This causes excessive wear on the trans? ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2018 at 9:45am
The main thing is that it will be reducing the heat build up in the brakes. I can't tell you how many times I'm near the bottom of a long downhill and the guy in front of me (or behind me  ) has his brakes smoking, and is having trouble slowing down or even stopping. Do NOT overheat your brakes. It's not a wear issue, it's a safety issue.------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: Marchhall
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2018 at 10:08am
| Most modern cars are equipped to and why they have the + and - marked on shift lever. Read your owners manual. They are designed to be downshifted. Forget your grandfathers impression. Things have changed. |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2018 at 10:48am
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To clarify, I agree proper downshifting is a proactive was to reduce vehicle speed. The operative word is proper. One has to be careful of over reving and to not shift down more than one gear at a time, if it can be done wrong it will. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2018 at 4:08pm
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I downshift all the time with my Dakota to avoid over speeding down hill. All the down shifting is done well in anticipation of the need for braking and without over reving the engine or going from D to 1. Nothing is ever done done abruptly. The key to mountain driving, in my experience, is to never be in a hurry, keep your speed on downgrades well under control (pulling over to let the bicycles pass when necessary), and being patient as you slowly ascend steep upgrades in an appropriate gear for the grade. Trying to go too fast, uphill or downhill, will only create excessive wear on brakes, the tranny, and the engine so why hurry? ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 24 Jul 2018 at 4:23pm
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You are spot on. My owners manual makes no mention of downshifting. Prudence and common sense prevail. The Glueguy analogy is a good one. I have towed for years I don't make a habit of downshifting autos, just me. But agree circumstances prevail. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |