Atwood Hydraulic Brake System (part7)

TROUBLE SHOOTING

WARNING: If any of the following problems develop, the trailer must be immediately stopped and the proper corrective action taken before the trailer is put back into service.

PROBLEM: Squeaking, Clatter or Chucking
Probable Cause

1) This could be caused by the hitch ball requiring a bit of lubrication.

2) The linkage and pivots on the brake actuator.
3) Loose hitch ball.
4) Loose hitch.
5) Loose brake actuator.
6) Hitch ball worn or too small.
7) Overheated brakes.
8) Broken brake drum(s).

9) Low brake fluid level.

10) Worn out shock absorber.
11) Partial application of breakaway cable.
12) Brakes improperly adjusted.

13) Broken return spring.
14) Seized actuator master cylinder.

15) Worn out brake shoes.

16) Leaky wheel cylinder.



17) Leaky wheel bearing grease seal.		 Remedy

1) Lubricate with conventional automotive grease or commercial lubricant made for hitch balls.
2) Oil linkage and pivots on brake actuator.
3) Inspect hitch ball and tighten.
4) Inspect hitch and tighten.
5) Inspect brake actuator and tighten.
6) Replace.
7) Replace wheel bearing.
8) Replace brake drum(s) and check brake shoes.
9) Fill and bleed brakes (see step 9-16, page 6).
10) Replace.
11) Fully release breakaway cable.

12) Check brakes for adjustments (see step 7, page 6).
13) Replace return spring.
14) Replace/rebuild actuator master cylinder.
15)  Replace brake shoes and check brake drums.
16) Replace/rebuild wheel cylinders and replace brake shoes. Clean drums and other hardware.

17) Pack wheel bearings and replace wheel bearing grease seal and wheel bearings. Clean drums and other hardware.

PROBLEM: Release Handle Does Not Close Easily
Probable Cause

1) Oversize ball.
2) Ball not fully inserted into socket.



3) Foreign material in actuator.

Remedy

1) Check ball size.
2) Check for proper ball size. Check to see if tongue jack is fully retracted. Hold release handle open
when inserting ball.
3) Clean and lubricate.


PROBLEM: Brake Overheating, Side-pull, Brakes Do Not Operate, Poor Brake Performance
Probable Cause

1) Only one brake is applying.
2) Leaking wheel cylinder.

3) Seized wheel cylinder piston.

4) Foreign material in brake unit.
5) Low hydraulic fluid level.
6) A bent shoulder bolt.
7) A bent push rod in the shock absorber.
8) A damaged socket assembly.
9) Broken or pinched brake lines.
10)  Brake actuator frame damaged.

 Remedy

1) Check brake adjustment.
2) Check and replace wheel cylinder and bleed brakes
3) Check and rebuild or replace wheel cylinder and bleed system.
4) Clean thoroughly.
5) Fill and bleed brakes.
6)Replace.
7) Replace.

8) Replace.
9) Replace.
10) Replace actuator.


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