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Old 05-02-2017, 09:02 AM   #1
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Bearing service and now Escape pulls hard

Has anyone experienced this? I had the bearings serviced and brakes adjusted and I "feel" the trailer behind the tow vehicle. Towing an empty 19' with a 5.0 V8 and I typically forget I'm towing. Around town mileage dropped to 11-12 from 14-15. Everything is the same... Also, the rims felt a little warm after a 10-mile jaunt. Any advice appreciated.
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Old 05-02-2017, 09:18 AM   #2
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I would confirm the brake pads are not rubbing on the drums. When adjusting I always take them to a hard grab, then back off a wee bit to where they just barely don't touch.

You could try a bit of hard braking to see if they let off.

If for any reason it has to do with the bearings, there is more of an issue. I doubt it though. Regardless, it should be looked at, if for no reason other than peace of mind.
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Old 05-02-2017, 11:11 AM   #3
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I'd jack up each wheel and test how it spins first. Then grab it for lateral play.
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Old 05-02-2017, 11:21 AM   #4
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I'd jack up each wheel and test how it spins first. Then grab it for lateral play.
That's what I'd do also.

If the wheel won't rotate easily the brake shoe adjustment probably needs backing off. It's normal for there to be a slight drag in some spots of the rotation but you should be able rotate it 360* without too much effort.

I'd say, jack the wheel off the ground and then tell the forum what you're finding. There's more than enough help here to pinpoint the problem and help you fix it.

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Old 05-02-2017, 11:31 AM   #5
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If the castle nut is too tight that can cause drag and heat too.
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Old 05-02-2017, 07:23 PM   #6
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Listen

When I adjust the brakes I flick the adjuster with the brake spoon until it's tight and the wheel won't spin. To tighten, flick from
Bottom to Top. You'll hear the spring on the adjuster make a noise on each flick when you get a bite. Sproing , sproing. Sproing. Then like Jim Bennett advises, back them off till the wheel turns freely. The drum and shoes are usually not perfectly matched so when I spin the wheel I listen for the high spot contact. Ching Ching Ching. Same adjustment on all four or both on single axle. When I test drive I do it on gravel
And adjust my rear view mirrors down so I can see the tires when I turn. I turn the gain up on the controller and look for the wheel to skid on gravel and see the trailer hump down when they lock up. Then I Back off my controller setting till I can feel the hump but am not skidding the trailer tires on loose
Gravel. Then do the other side same way. Once in a while you'll have a problem wheel you gotta back off another flip or two. This is how I've done the brake adjust whether electric or surge for 40 years and it works
For me. Sorry for the long post, I'm usually very brief, right Eric?
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Old 05-02-2017, 07:29 PM   #7
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When I adjust the brakes I flick the adjuster with the brake spoon until it's tight and the wheel won't spin. To tighten, flick from
Bottom to Top. You'll hear the spring on the adjuster make a noise on each flick when you get a bite. Sproing , sproing. Sproing. Then like Jim Bennett advises, back them off till the wheel turns freely. The drum and shoes are usually not perfectly matched so when I spin the wheel I listen for the high spot contact. Ching Ching Ching. Same adjustment on all four or both on single axle. When I test drive I do it on gravel
And adjust my rear view mirrors down so I can see the tires when I turn. I turn the gain up on the controller and look for the wheel to skid on gravel and see the trailer hump down when they lock up. Then I Back off my controller setting till I can feel the hump but am not skidding the trailer tires on loose
Gravel. Then do the other side same way. Once in a while you'll have a problem wheel you gotta back off another flip or two. This is how I've done the brake adjust whether electric or surge for 40 years and it works
For me. Sorry for the long post, I'm usually very brief, right Eric?
Dave
How's that sound again Dave?
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Old 05-02-2017, 07:42 PM   #8
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It's like cracking open a cold beer on a hot night or jacking one into the 870, there's certain sounds that just stay with you and Webster didn't put them in the book so I had
to.
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Old 05-02-2017, 08:10 PM   #9
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appreciate you typing that up dave, thanks.
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Old 05-02-2017, 08:21 PM   #10
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... I'm usually very brief, right Eric?
Dave
What was that, I think I fell asleep....

Dave will be providing a workshop on brake adjustment at the rally. I've generously volunteered my new trailer which should be ready for a readjustment after the trip from Chilliwack to Osoyoos.
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Old 05-02-2017, 09:05 PM   #11
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DMPortland,
Your question is good, thanks for bringing it up. Sometimes you have to wait for a real answer.
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Old 05-02-2017, 09:27 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave View Post
Sproing , sproing. Sproing. Then like Jim Bennett advises, back them off till the wheel turns freely. The drum and shoes are usually not perfectly matched so when I spin the wheel I listen for the high spot contact. Ching Ching Ching.
Dave
Thanks for that Dave. Just finished packing wheel bearing #2 and heading outside to do #3. Hopefully I'll be sproing and chinging away before the rain starts.

Ron
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Old 05-02-2017, 10:03 PM   #13
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It's like cracking open a cold beer on a hot night or jacking one into the 870, there's certain sounds that just stay with you and Webster didn't put them in the book so I had
to.
Dave
Hi: Iowa Dave... Now that's "Sound advice". Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
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Old 05-02-2017, 10:11 PM   #14
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DMPortland,
Your question is good, thanks for bringing it up. Sometimes you have to wait for a real answer.
My sober response is to either turn the star wheel until it stops then back off 7 turns or else turn star wheel until you can't spin tire then back off until you still feel some drag on the wheel. Amazingly both do the same job- no spirits required
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Old 05-02-2017, 11:10 PM   #15
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My sober response is to either turn the star wheel until it stops then back off 7 turns or else turn star wheel until you can't spin tire then back off until you still feel some drag on the wheel. Amazingly both do the same job- no spirits required


Lousy music, but lots views.
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Old 05-09-2017, 12:27 AM   #16
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Thanks for the ideas. I jacked up the trailer and spun the wheels and to me I felt some resistance. Since I paid for the bearing service I took it back to the shop where they explained that some resistance is normal and they backed off the brakes on one wheel that was dragging more than the others. Towing seems back to normal and mpg appears to be back within range.
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