Brakes

I'm not entirely sure what's going on with my brakes. I felt a t******* feeling randomly and I've only felt it once before. So I pulled over to investigat it and noticed something that seemed like smoke. But I'm sure it was steam as I didn't smell smoke or even the brakes. But I have stopped at different rest areas along the way and it's still happening only to my back drive tires.

So it seems it's heating the drum up, although I'm not using my brakes at all. It is raining and has mid 30s temps, so figured that's why the steam is happening.

Anyone got any ideas? I'm like 100 miles from an OC which I'm hoping to make it too so I can get the shop to check it out.

Hey Jamie, could maybe be the slack adjusters are out of whack. Could be that new brakes were put on but adjusters are on way too tight. But than again you probably would of noticed it right away. And too warm for ice like you were saying.

Figuring my slack adjusters might have to much play in them and they are self-adjusting, so I pumped my brakes down multiple times to see if it helps.

I've taken my 30 minute brake,so everything had time to cool down.

Do you feel them locking up on both sides or just one?

Felt it on my right side, I also noticed this plug:

This was unplugged also on the right side, I got it back into the slot. Not sure when it happened since I didn't notice an air leak tight away, maybe it was loose before it came all the way out?

Yeah I'd agree that was probably the culprit.

Make sure your trailer hand brake lever isn't stuck. Mine for stuck once and burned up the brakes.

Jamie, that plug is just for gaining access to manually release the brake with a set bolt in the case of no air pressure. It won't cause an air leak if it's unplugged, and your brakes should work fine even if it's unplugged. Just get by your nearest O.C. and have them check your brakes.

The brake chamber that handles the parking brake has a hole in it, that's why my brake drums are heating up since it's not forcing the springs back. Found the hole as well, pretty easy to spot when you release the brakes.

Of course it's when I'm heading home...

Reminds me of the time I had a blown drive tire like 150 miles from home.