SargeW said:
What often happens is that when the seals start to leak grease, the heat in the drum rapidly disperses it all around the inside. A minor application of the brakes will cause the brake magnet to stick to the drum and not release. Then it quickly gets super hot and then wire and shoe failure is close behind.
Beware and be safe.
The above happened to me. Thanks to the Lippert wheel bearing seal saga.
I had just inspected my 5w brakes and bearings this past June. All were fine. No evidence of leakage, plenty of brake shoes left.
Short of the story..... Coming down a grade.. my TPMS alarmed of High Temp on the left rear trailer wheel. Pull off the road, as I got to LR wheel it burst into Flame from around the drum, and center of the hub. Put the Fire out with my fire extinguisher. Let things cool.. limped to a Truck Stop a short distance away.
Called Roadside Assistance (on a Sunday). Bert'n Ernie showed up ('nuther whole story) with a few tools. 14 hours later, with mostly My tools and jack.. we cleaned up the spindle and replaced the bearing. I removed the brake shoes (shot) disconnected the electrics. Limped on home.
Called Lippert (LCI) the next day.. (basically) SORRY, NOT OUR PROBLEM (I'm not done with them yet)
Now here's where it got interesting.. to me. This FW has a GVWR of 9995 lbs. It [had] two 4400 lb rated axels, brakes, and bearings under it. That might be [Acceptable] to RIVA, and the Rest... but Not To Me. It now has Two 5600 lb axels, 10" Dexter brake sets, and 3" spindles w/Timken bearings under it.
Any comments ?