Coleman PU electric brakes

[waterdoctor]

Hi all
I'm getting my Coleman Mesa PU ready for the season and decided to grease the wheel bearings.  This is the first time for me since I bought the PU last summer.  I've got the wheel and hub off, also the bearings out. My question is: What is the little rectangle box hanging on an arc'd arm that swings forward and aft to some degree, and that has 2 wires going to it?  It has obviously been rubbing on the inside on the hub and there is alot of wear.  I don't think it's some kind of disc brake pad since the brakes are the drum type.

Is this supposed to wear like this?  If not, and I suspect not, then what do I need to do to make it work or sit properly?  I haven't been able to find any help on the internet, nor from any dealers in my area.

Any help or advise is appreciated.

[wavery]

Hi all
I'm getting my Coleman Mesa PU ready for the season and decided to grease the wheel bearings.  This is the first time for me since I bought the PU last summer.  I've got the wheel and hub off, also the bearings out. My question is: What is the little rectangle box hanging on an arc'd arm that swings forward and aft to some degree, and that has 2 wires going to it?  It has obviously been rubbing on the inside on the hub and there is alot of wear.  I don't think it's some kind of disc brake pad since the brakes are the drum type.

Is this supposed to wear like this?  If not, and I suspect not, then what do I need to do to make it work or sit properly?  I haven't been able to find any help on the internet, nor from any dealers in my area.

Any help or advise is appreciated.

Pictures..........Pictures.......we need Pictures

The rectangular box is probably the electro-magnet. It should have 2 wires going to it.

BTW, I don't know if you know this but it is important to not mix up the bearings. The bearings and races have to stay matched.

[mike4947]

If they look like these: http://dexteraxle.com/magnet_kits They are the electromagnets that active the brakes. They work by turning magnetic when current is supplied from the brake controller in the TV and are attracted to the sidewall of the drum. The friction causes the are to rotate forcing the shoes apart and contacting the drums and stopping the trailer.
 
Here's a PDF manual that explains everything including manually adjusting the shoes as trailer brakes do not have self adjusters: http://dexteraxle.com/i/u/1080235/f/6-8K_Service_Manual_3-08/Electric_Brakes_2-08.pdf

[waterdoctor]

Yep - they look exactly like that.  Thank You so much.  I knew I could count on this forum for the answer.  I had no idea what brand electric brakes were on my rig.  The owners manual is less than specific about that.

I took a peek at both links you sent Mike4947, and it looks like everything is okie-doke.  But I'll be checking for excess wear and the like just to be sure.

By the way, should the inside axle bearing be so loose in the dust cap/seal cup when I pull the brake hub off? The roller bearings are all nice and tight, but it was a bit alarming to pull the hub off and find those inside bearings slopping around inside the hub.  I suspect it's ok once everything is back on the axle and tightened up.  On my old pick up, I've always slightly overtightened the axle nut a bit to get the bearings to seat on the races squarely, then back it off some to the proper tension.  Is that procedure advisable with pu's?

[wavery]

Yep - they look exactly like that.  Thank You so much.  I knew I could count on this forum for the answer.  I had no idea what brand electric brakes were on my rig.  The owners manual is less than specific about that.

I took a peek at both links you sent Mike4947, and it looks like everything is okie-doke.  But I'll be checking for excess wear and the like just to be sure.

By the way, should the inside axle bearing be so loose in the dust cap/seal cup when I pull the brake hub off? The roller bearings are all nice and tight, but it was a bit alarming to pull the hub off and find those inside bearings slopping around inside the hub.  I suspect it's ok once everything is back on the axle and tightened up.  On my old pick up, I've always slightly overtightened the axle nut a bit to get the bearings to seat on the races squarely, then back it off some to the proper tension.  Is that procedure advisable with pu's?

It's normal for the bearing to be loose. When you pull the hub off, the only thing that keeps the inner bearing from falling on the ground is the seal.

You might find this helpful too:
http://www.rverscorner.com/articles/bearing1.html#wheel

[waterdoctor]

Thanks, Wavery, and the rest who replied to my questions.  I really do appreciate all your help and insight.

Waterdoctor

[ddh2]

It is actually a GPS tracking device put there by THE MAN to find out where you camping!
It will wear out eventually the more you camp the quicker it will die out!
so get out of the driveway and hit the road!
Have fun and GO CAMPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[waterdoctor]

We're outa here