Trailer Brakes @#@#$^@#$

[Airslot]

This thread is about this far () from being moved to modifications. I was going fishing tonight after work and had the same danged brake locked up again. Really close to pulling the trigger on the Kodiak S-Cads. Anybody ever had problems with drums hanging?

Airslot

[turbinedoctor]

Are they electric or hydralic?

[Airslot]

Hydraulic. I think I have the problem isolated now. So danged mad I've been out playing in the rain. I thing that my actuator is occasionally hanging up and leaving pressure on the system, which allows the shoes to stick to the drums.

Or not

Airslot

[bassarama]

Couple of years ago it happened to my bud’s trailer.

After our 90 mile ride to the sound, we stopped at the gas station when the trailer brakes locked up, we had to disassemble both sides and unlock the frigging rusted POS, after dealing with it for an hour, and we finally got it going until the next stop, the bait shop. :o

This time we had to crimp the metallic brake lines in order to proceed with our fishing adventure. These things do happen, but I was less that happy with by friend for slacking off on maintenance … >:(

[Airslot]

Bass, thats the thing, these things are maintained and well. *I tend to go through my bearings and brakes twice a year because I launch/ load 75 times a year some years. *They have never been in that water and really don't have any rust. *It looks like I may need a new coupler and if so, may just change to disks. *The Kodiaks are $250 for a set now, so they aren't much more than drums, or so I'm telling myself.

Airslot

[reelapeelin]

Airslot, I LMFAOFF when I saw the title of this thread and who posted it ;D ... brakes GOTTA be biggest PIA on the planet, but I feel like I gotta have 'em...

Tie Down makes a GOOD actuator Mod 6600, but DON'T mess w/ their Mickey Mouse brakes, disc or others ... like you said, KODIAKS for sure ...


...one thing and you may already be doin' this...last thing lots of boaters do is BACK their rig into their spot (pressure on the actuator) ... physicly relieve the pressure by pullin' forward a little to roll the wheels and pull out on the actuator, relieving pressure ... just a thought...hope it helps... ;D ...

[macojoe]

I don't have them,
I don't want them,
and when I bought my new trailer, I didn't get them!!

Saw to many with problems all the time!! I have enough problems with motors and all kinds of stuff to have something else go wrong!!~

Use to tow a 248 Sportsman for a friend, and that had no brakes either!! ;D

[Airslot]

You have to understand, I take care of my stuff especially mechanically. Might not always have the cleanest boat, but she's always maintained to the hilt...and the trailer too. When I lose a feeshin trip to silly stuff like this I tend to get hot under the collar. I've had this trailer for 2 years and have known that the previous owner somehow put a little kink in the actuator, maybe backed around a turn a little too sharp. Anyhow, I think it's hanging up and holding a little pressure when I unhook her. Problem seems to be getting worse and if I have to spring for a new actuator, may just spring for the whole shebang.

REEL, they make a new actuator called the 70E that has the reverse solenoid built in.

Airslot >:( >:( >:( >:(

[reelapeelin]

Slot...who's ''they''...?...


...ya know, if ya think she's holdin' pressure, that'd be more of a reason to pull 'er forward a little after you back and before ya drop :D ...

[Airslot]

Sorry, (they) are Tie-Down. No way would I use their brakes, but the new actuator is pretty slick because the solenoid is inside the housing, just protected a little better. Getting ready to pull the trigger on this actuator:
http://shop.easternmarine.com/images/product/6147.jpg

and these brakes:
http://shop.easternmarine.com/images/product/6721.jpg

Airslot

[reelapeelin]

COOL!!...that looks JUST LIKE my TD 6600 except the solenoid screws in-line to the Master-cylinder thru the u-shape opening in back... ;) ...


OH...and speakin' of Master Cylinders ... on mine and I bet on yours; the DAMPER is not self contained...it uses fluid from the system and has to be primed BEFORE use...once it's done you're good to go unless major fluid loss...mine's been good for about 2 yrs now ;) ...


Hope yours works as well for you as mine has been for me... 8) ...

[Airslot]

Soooo, anybody want to see a write up, with pics of course, about changing from drum to disc trailer brakes? I mean, what does the board think...should I push this other button and move this thread to Modifications? ;D

Airslot

[reelapeelin]

This member of the board would LUV to see the swap-out!! ;D ...ya gonna do it w/ boat on or are ya gonna be able to do it w/ the boat off the trailer?...

[Airslot]

It will be done w/ the boat on the trailer. REEL, a vote of one will get er done. Parts already on the way. Amazing what you can do with modern technology.

Airslot

[macojoe]

Every repair or Mod no matter how big or small is important to someone here!!
And if it has pictures all the more better! ;D

[Airslot]

The parts are on order and I hope to have them in hand by Wednesday or so. I'll try for completet documentation on tear down and installation. Should be fun.

Airslot

[phatdaddy]

Looking forward to seeing this demo. We are planing a trip to the keys this summer and i want to add brakes for the trip. Where did you get the parts?

[Airslot]

Easternmarine.com is a great place for trailer parts. Thats where my brakes are coming from.

Airslot

[reelapeelin]

Parts already on the way. Amazing what you can do with modern technology.



Whazzat?...a telephone and a credit card??...
;D ;D ...lookin' forward to the show ;) ...

[reelapeelin]

When ya get 'em all installed...have ya ever done a "gravity bleed" ... works real good ... raise the tongue high as it'll go...leave all bleed-nipples closed and start filling the master cylinder...all the air bubbles will work their way back to the MC...may take hour or so ...keep refilling MC ... and don't forget priming that damper ;) ...

[imported_admin]

Air when you start the repairs and take pictures start a new thread in the How to section.

I have moved a couple of other threads with instruction and pictures to the how to section already.

This way we can find much easier when someone wants tro do the same type of job.

Thanks!;) ;) ;) ;)

[garagenc]

Air
what is this change over costing? I have a trailer sales place on my way to work (Portsmouth Trailer Sales in chesapeake va).

I replaced my drums a couple of years ago and I wish then I bought them already mounted to the backing plate.

Now when I change again I'm thinking of going to disc type. I 'm having some issues with my master cyl now I think, it doesn't seem to stay primed and I don't believe it's my wheel cyl's since I replaced them when I replaced the drums.

[Airslot]

New actuator w/ reverse solenoid and kodiak S-cad brakes for about $450. The brakes themelves were 129 per side.

Airslot

[Airslot]

So far I've got to give props to Easternmarine. Just checked my email and my brakes are on the truck scheduled for delivery today. Not bad considering I ordered them Saturday afternoon. Oh, and standard shipping too, nothing express at 88lbs total weight.

Airslot

[C YENSEN]

you dont need brakes. it is too flat around here for brakes 8)

[Airslot]

I probably dont NEED brakes, but I love having them. Life is busy now, but there have been years that I put 7500 or so miles on my trailer. I'm not shy about dragging the boat down to Cape Charles or even VA Beach @ 65 mph. I've seen plenty of goofy drivers on the road and like having working brakes.

Airslot

[Airslot]

Sometimes this modern world is pretty neat. With a simple click of the mouse, I just found out that my brakes are at my house. Now for the next dilema...it's cold outside. Guess I'll have to buckle down and get the job done so that ehen it does warm up I'll be ready to go.

Airslot

[Airslot]

Alright, the brakes are mounted on the trailer and the job is almost done. I've got pics and I'll be putting together a nice little piece for the "how-to" section.

My only problem is, I can't seem to bleed the things. If I take the bleed screws out, they pass fluid unrestricted. With the bleed screws in but loose, they won't pass fluid through the screws at all. Not sure why. IF I can't figure it out tonight I'll probably pick up some speed bleeders in the AM.

THe job was easy. If you ever done any of your own brake work, this job was a pice of cake.

Only thing left to do is bleed them and hook up the five flat plug with the solenoid.

Airslot

[reelapeelin]

That's odd, they won't pass fluid...sure they're not blocked and the right size...they may need to be "looser" than you've tried...didja see my suggestion on ''gravity bleeding?"...couldn't believe how well that worked ... TIGHT!!... ;) ...


Let's see them PIX!!... ;D ;D ...

[Airslot]

REEL, I tried every position of loose short of falling out, which is when they would bleed off around the threads. I may try the gravity method, but since I'm going in town tonight, I'll probably just grab a pair of "RUssell Speed Bleeders" They end up in all my vehicles over time. They have a check valve in them that allows one man bleeding. Just pump the master cylinder and it pushed the air out, then the ckeck valve wont let air back in. Kodiak uses calipers from some mid 80's Buick, so I know the size if fairly standard. Pics will be up Monday more than likely, unless kids let me use the "good" computer at home.

Airslot

[reelapeelin]

Haven't heard of the ''speed bleeders''...one man, huh??...sounds interestin' ;) 8) ...

[macojoe]

Wow I could have used speed bleeders a million times!! I am going to have to look int them things!!

[Airslot]

Yep, nifty little buggers.

Try speedbleeder.com

http://www.speedbleeder.com/images/sbani.gif

Airslot

[reelapeelin]

Slot...there's the pressure from the master cylinder to bleed the system, then there's pressure from m.c. during hard stopping (panic-stop at 70 :o)...how do it KNOW??...

[Airslot]

When its tightened down, the bottom is just like any regular bleed screw and seals off the caliper /wheel cylinder. When you back it off that 3/4 turn or whatever, it unseals that orifice that is used in the standard bleeding procedure. Only difference is that this one has a check valve built in that lets fluid out, but when that pressure is relieved the check ball keeps air from coming back in. I've put them in every vehicle I've had for 10 year or more now.

There going in the boat trailer after I finish my coffee ;D I'm glad Saltwater Sunday is back on.

Airslot

[reelapeelin]

Saltwater Sunday's back on??... ??? ... how 'bout my man Jose'? ...


Thanks for the info on the bleeders...coming soon to a driveway near me!! ;) ...

[Airslot]

Yep, Jose is there, running his new 34' SeeVee with trip Verado's on the stern. Dang, already forgot what he was catchin this morning :-/

Airslot

Alright, time to get outside before the rain starts and button up this project.

[reelapeelin]

Rain comin' huh?...Hmmm...sounds like a good day to post some pics of recent well-done-brake-job ;) ...


I'll have to catch "The Heavy Wejebe" next week ... 8) ...

[Airslot]

All is done and the test drive went well. Even filler the V up with gas while I was out. Job well done "Slot :P

Airslot

[reelapeelin]

All is done and the test drive went well. Even filler the V up with gas while I was out. Job well done "Slot :P

Airslot



No job's finished til the paper work's done...pics, please ;D ...



No kiddin', glad to hear it went so well. ;) 8) ...

[reelapeelin]

Hey Airslot...I'm havin' a trailer-brake brainstorm (or phart) here...my old Tie-Downs are gettin' pretty worn out...pretty Mickey Mouse to begin with...have them presently on all 4 wheels, so actuator and lines already in place...

...just occured to me to put Kodiaks on front axle, plug the "T" to the rear axle and remove calipers only from rear axle ...

...whadda ya think??...anybody else, too ;D ;D ...

[Airslot]

Want help justifying it? *It'll cost ya $260 for the brakes for one axle, but, you gonna get new bearings and seals as part of the package. *So, you were gonna spend that 40 bucks or so anyway right? *Then you got to wonder, when should I change the pads? *Hmmm, there's a little more money saved...Carry this logic far enough and you'll have new brakes and money in your pocket too ;) *Besides, ya know ya wanna look like this:

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e41/Airslot/Kodiak%20Brakes/KodiakBrakes009.jpg


But seriously, what you proposed would work fine. *Also, this actuator is "da bomb."
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e41/Airslot/Kodiak%20Brakes/KodiakBrakes023.jpg

Lots of neat features. *Has a safety pin behind the ball. *When the pin is in place, the coupler can't come off even it the t]latch disengages. *And the built in solenoid for reverse was nice too.

Airslot
And MJ, I'm gonna do another post for howto

[reelapeelin]

Slot, as you can see, I got much the same actuator, except my solenoid is visible out the back...picture showed up smaller than I thought...I'll get a better one soon...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/reelapeelin/Image006.jpg
I'm like you, I really like this unit, specially the locking pin you mentioned...

...and thanks for the vote of confidence and YEP, I do want mine to look like that 8) ...good stuff, Airslot ;) ...

[reelapeelin]

Hey Slot...are those 13'' wheels on your trailer...mine are and I's wonderin' if the brakes you got will fit ??? ...they shore is purdy... ;) ...

[Airslot]

I've got 24 pics ready to roll out and they are all about brakes.... ;D

Airslot