Warm hub after stopping

[tractoman]

On my tandem axle trailer, I have one hub that after stopping for awhile, wiil get hot compared to the others. If I check it when I just stop, it's the same as the others but after about 10 minutes, it's noticably hotter then the others. I've only got about 1000 miles since the last repack, and the bearings are adjusted fine. This is a hub with drum brakes on it, but the brakes are new and adjusted well too. Any ideas what to look for or what may cause this?

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Warm hub after stopping

Well if it is noticeably different than the other then I would be taking that one apart and inspecting to make sure everything is the way it should be, you will spend less time checking it now than you will stuck on the side of the road with a burned up bearing or worse.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Warm hub after stopping

I would still bet on 1 brake dragging just a little bit. Is the brake hardware new, or just the shoes? Mine dragged a bit with just the new shoes, as they would expand [ like they are supposed to], but because of rust/corrosion etc. [and not much of it] wouldnt retract all the way. Drum brakes on a boat trailer are a P I T A if ya ask me.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Warm hub after stopping

The only thing I can think of is that brake is the one doing the most stopping. So it heats up and takes a while to get to where you are feeling. Try just slowing down without using the brakes and see if it gets hotter. What is the temp outside? Is it cold enough to cool it while you are driving and then radiates the heat after you stop?

 

[wifisher]

Re: Warm hub after stopping

It is the brake. If it was the bearing it would happen as soon as you feel it. It takes more time because the heat has to bleed from the drum to the hub.

Could be because it is the only brake working, or the shoes dragging.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Warm hub after stopping

The entire brake assembly from backing plate to shoes are new. The hub/drums are one piece. I'll have to look a little deeper.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Warm hub after stopping

It is the brake. If it was the bearing it would happen as soon as you feel it. It takes more time because the heat has to bleed from the drum to the hub.

Could be because it is the only brake working, or the shoes dragging.

OK so I want to see you justify that comment based on physics, it will be very interesting.

Depending on the severity of the issue causing the heat buildup it could be a bearing, a dragging shoe, even a broken spring grinding away, debris, oil , or a few other factors.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Warm hub after stopping

Just to recap. All the hubs feel the same right after stopping at a gas station. They are a little over 110 degrees when stopping after freeway driving in 90 degree ambient temp. Once I am stopped for awhile, say to get a Subway sandwich, the one hub will rise to about 140 and the others don't.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Warm hub after stopping

OK so I want to see you justify that comment based on physics, it will be very interesting.

Depending on the severity of the issue causing the heat buildup it could be a bearing, a dragging shoe, even a broken spring grinding away, debris, oil , or a few other factors.

Checking the temp when you stop at a gs station involves checking the center of the hub. That is where the wheel bearing is. If the bearing is the source of the heat, the center of the hub is now at its hottest temp, and will start to cool down. If the brake is hotter than the wheel bearing, the heat will start to distribute through the hub and increase the temperature of the center of the hub. This is normal for a braked hub on a trailer, as the brake should create more heat than the bearing.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Warm hub after stopping

Checking the temp when you stop at a gs station involves checking the center of the hub. That is where the wheel bearing is. If the bearing is the source of the heat, the center of the hub is now at its hottest temp, and will start to cool down. If the brake is hotter than the wheel bearing, the heat will start to distribute through the hub and increase the temperature of the center of the hub. This is normal for a braked hub on a trailer, as the brake should create more heat than the bearing.

Plus you no longer have the air cooling effect (at speed) dumping brake heat so it soaks the entire drum/hub assembly.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Warm hub after stopping

..it could be a bearing, a dragging shoe, even a broken spring grinding away, debris, oil , or a few other factors.

The hub would most likely be hot (way over 120*) if a bearing were the problem. That pretty much leaves ... wait for it ... THE BRAKES! Pretty good list of what could be making THE BRAKES heat up, though ... :facepalm:

 

[Sixmark]

Re: Warm hub after stopping

..it could be a bearing, a dragging shoe, even a broken spring grinding away, debris, oil , or a few other factors.

The hub would most likely be hot (way over 120*) if a bearing were the problem. That pretty much leaves ... wait for it ... THE BRAKES! Pretty good list of what could be making THE BRAKES heat up, though ... :facepalm:

Wow then I guess I better go out and take the new bearing out of my trailer that was doing the same thing, because after all, it can't be the bearing according to this, oh yeah, I haven't had a problem since.