fitting brake pads

[gsaps]

Hi guys, seeking some friendly advice.

I've just finished replacing the brake pads on my trailer... all went smoothly but after installing the new ones and bolting the caliper back on, they still scrape against the disc (the cable is completely loose).
.
I know by adjusting the cable I can tighten them but how do I get the pads to not constantly scape against the disc. There's a return spring to pull the lever away (if that's the right word) but nothing to cause the pads to move away from the disc.

I hope that makes sense and thanks for any advice

Grant

 

[Scott Danforth]

they do scrape. all disc brake pads scrape a bit. every trailer, car, etc. the minute run-out in the disc will move them away enough when not using the brakes.

what you are seeing is normal.

 

[alldodge]

adjusting the cable

Can you post a pic?

 

[gsaps]

thanks for the replies guys.. i was slowly coming to the conclusion that a bit of scraping was normal, didn't seem to be any other explanation, good to get reassurance thanks Scott.

I have got pics AllDodge but at the moment the cables been left hanging as I wanted to make sure the discs were OK.. so i don't have a pic of that (random other pics as i didn't know what i was looking at

thinking about it again, i might replace the rotors and theres some surface rust.. does that look too bad to continue using (sorry the res is low, i couldn't upload better res ones) ?

thanks again

 

[alldodge]

I see the spring clips but not a cable. Have not seen a cable on disk brakes for boats. Some autos used a cable to engage a parking brake lever which mechanically pushed the piston in like on a Subaru

Disc will always rust from just sitting from condensation, don't see an issue so long as their not a grooved up or warped

 

[gsaps]

i think that's pretty much how it works.. its a common setup here in australia.. i've taken some more pics that show the system

another question, when i put the caliper back on, if i really tightened down the top and bottom bolts, it obviously pushed the caliper against the rotor (or something) and clamps down too tight to turn the rotor at all.. i don't really only want to half tighten the caliper bolts though.. is there a trick to this ?

thanks again

 

[alldodge]

The pic is a bit hard to read, but I haven't seen one like that. The ones on cars I've worked on had screw bolt going into the back center of the caliper. As the pads wore the caliper would turn slightly. This turning moved the piston closer, and when the cable was used (parking brake) it would turn the bolt inward.

 

[Scott Danforth]

agreed, if the calipers are cable operated lever, then there is an internal adjustment mechanism that will need to be backed off. I have never actually seen cable brakes on a boat trailer.

 

[Scott Danforth]

here is an adjustment document for cable trailer brakes

http://www.alko.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/WorkInstructionsCorrectMechbrakeadjustment.pdf
http://static.shop033.com/resources...Adjustment of TrailerCO Mechanical Brakes.pdf


here is a forum link to discussion on adjusting brakes http://www.careel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3159

 

[GA_Boater]

I'll admit the mechanical disc brakes are new to me and seem to be used in Australia and New Zealand. Googling came up with this from http://www.trailersauce.co.nz/equipment/trailer-brakes/;



I also found this adjustment method - http://www.alko.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/WorkInstructionsCorrectMechbrakeadjustment.pdf

I've found out while working on hydraulic disc brakes that the pads touch and you can hear the light sound of the pads touching, especially when pads are new until the pads bed-in. I guess that mechanical discs are the same.

As long as the pads aren't hard against the rotor, take the trailer for a short spin while trying to not engage the brakes, maybe go for an uphill drive. Then feel for hot hubs and rotors.

 

[GA_Boater]

Scott - We did it again! LOL

 

[alldodge]

Scott - We did it again! LOL

There have been rumors about you guys I might have even started one