Eagle trailer surge brakes

[Twainer]

We have had this little 2011 18' Crownline boat going on 5 years now. Once again the master cylinder for the surge brakes has sprung a leak on the single axle Eagle trailer. This will be the 3rd or 4th one I have put on there since we bought it! The last one I bought was a Dexter so it's not like I am buying cheap generic parts. Why would this be happening? If I remember right one of the seals blows & it pukes out fluid rather quickly. We went only 20 miles this past weekend & by the time we got back home it was dry again & slamming. I haven't had time to inspect the issue just yet but I have a feeling it's the same thing. I know it's frowned upon but I am about to switch the whole system over to electric. I likely would have done the change already but the first time I replaced it, I replace just about everything. The master cylinder, pads, rotors, & calipers. It didn't look like the previous owner did any maintenance on the trailer.

 

[Scott Danforth]

could be a couple of things happening.

need to inspect. could be the soft line from the master cylinder or to the wheel cylinder. could be corrosion in the bore/piston area. could be a damaged line or leaking fitting

do you boat in salt water? if so, do you wash the trailer after you get home?

 

[dingbat]

Brake actuators are pretty robust internally. They typically don't leak unless physically damaged.

What kind of backing solenoid is installed?
Does it work reliably?

I have never had a caliper leak on me per say. Had them stick, but not leak.

My money is on a leaking brake line

 

[Twainer]

Brake actuators are pretty robust internally. They typically don't leak unless physically damaged.

What kind of backing solenoid is installed?
Does it work reliably?

I have never had a caliper leak on me per say. Had them stick, but not leak.

My money is on a leaking brake line

It's leaking out the boot of the actuator. I am not sure what brand of backing solenoid it is but it was replaced the first time I did this. It came with the actuator. When we do park the boat in the yard it is a steep incline. Could that be damaging the solenoid, which then blows out a seal on the actuator? I would think that solenoid is working or we would have a very difficult time getting it run up into our yard.

 

[alldodge]

It's leaking out the boot of the actuator.

Sounds to me like the disc is to thin allowing the pistons to extend to far
actuator meaning caliper?

 

[Scott Danforth]

is it leaking out of the master cylinder boot on the input rod?

or out of the boot on the caliper disc?

if the master cylinder boot, then most likely either the seal is leaking from rubber degradation, or something is corroded.

 

[dingbat]

When we do park the boat in the yard it is a steep incline. Could that be damaging the solenoid, which then blows out a seal on the actuator?

Is it a blocking (NO) or a by-pass (NC) type valve?

I could see a scenario where backing up a steep grade with the blocking type solenoid, in the closed position while backing, would/could overload the piston and blow the seals out.

I would switch to a by-pass type valve to see if that doesn't solve the problem

 

[Scott Danforth]

My trailer has both the solenoid and a lock-out plug (mechanically wedges between the slider and the frame)

 

[Lou C]

I think some of the posters above are on to a solution; if you’re backing up a steep grade that could be overloading it. In that case I’d use the lock out to keep pressure off the master cyl while backing.
I still have the original Tie Down 66 actuator I installed on my trailer 21 years ago! Works fine; I use free backing galvanized 12” drums.

 

[Twainer]

I think some of the posters above are on to a solution; if you’re backing up a steep grade that could be overloading it. In that case I’d use the lock out to keep pressure off the master cyl while backing.
I still have the original Tie Down 66 actuator I installed on my trailer 21 years ago! Works fine; I use free backing galvanized 12” drums.

This makes sense & is the only thing I could think of that would be pre-maturely causing my actuator to fail.