Bad Advice? - No option?

[marcoalza]

The problem I have is that the brake actuator on my Tahoe trailer is leaking fluid.
I cannot get anyone here to repair or replace it and keep being told to disconnect it all together.

It is working a little at the moment but makes an awful knock on take up and when braking.
I think this is due to there being air in the system.

I really cannot get anyone here to fix this and wonder if the advice to disconnect it is sound advice? (I assume this means locking the whole unit to the tongue to prevent movement)
If I leave it, as the brakes definitley are working as I cannot reverse without the pin in place, is the knocking when I pull away and brake going to break something?

 

[rickryder]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

The trailer has brakes for a reason....... I wouldn't disconnect it...... Why not just buy a new master cyld assy and replace it?

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

The trailer has brakes for a reason....... I wouldn't disconnect it...... Why not just buy a new master cyld assy and replace it?

I've tried getting the unit from UFP but not getting any sense out of them, and in any case no one here is willing to fit it if I did get one.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Agreed, especially looking at your tow vehicle (not judging, I tow with an MDX and it tows well). You need those brakes working properly. Is it the master cylinder or a hose that's leaking? Either is a fairly simple fix.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Master Cylinder actually on the actuator.
Honda Pilot is big enough 4x4 with powerful brakes but I did notice a big difference when I left the reverse pin in once.
I really need to get this fixed somehow.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

If you're leaking fluid it's just a matter of time until you start having problems. Have you identified the source of the leak? It could be something easily fixed; line, loose fitting, etc. If not, you can just replace the master and bleed the lines. I recently did it myself with the encouragement and instruction of my iboats buddies. It's surprisingly cheap and easy. Don't disconnect the brakes. Fix em.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Don't disconnect the brakes. Fix em.

I know you're right. Any ideas where I can get a Master Cylinder from?
I was recommended to UFP but struglling to get a price/answer.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Titan parts are widely available. All you need to know is the model of your actuator. Pretty sure you can get them on good ol' iboats.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Titan parts are widely available. All you need to know is the model of your actuator. Pretty sure you can get them on good ol' iboats.

I believe my unit is UFP which is differnt to Titan, right?
or are the interchangeable?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

I believe my unit is UFP which is differnt to Titan, right?
or are the interchangeable?

Sorry partner. Guess I was flashing back to my issues. Does appear UFP parts are widely available from numerous vendors though. Again, the model of your coupler should be all you need.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Just make sure you get the correct master cyl. if you have drum brakes its a different master than disc brakes. Pretty easy repair if you can get the stuff, I wouldnt reccomend the disconnect as others have. You may also need a new shock absorber it is there to take away the hard hit when the tow vechicle brakes are applied. How fast does your resivor lose fluid? if its gone dry you need to bleed the system anyway so it would be a perfect time to replace the needed components, bleed it, and be good to go. There are a bunch of sites that carry different parts champion trailers even has some videos on how to replace and fix trailer issues. What is UFP and could you post a picture of your set up?

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

I know you're right. Any ideas where I can get a Master Cylinder from?
I was recommended to UFP but struglling to get a price/answer.

This sounds like you have no idea the make or model of the coupler you have now.
If yes, then I suspect UFP finds out where your located and does not want to spend the time trying to find a replacement unit.
Especially if you can not tell them what you have now.

If you can figure out the current model you have, you will have to get in touch with a trailer supply that will ship international.
And provide some details ss that the vendor can determine which coupler you will need.
"A master cylinder" is not a universal fit item.
Every brand is slightly different even though they do the same job.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

This sounds like you have no idea the make or model of the coupler you have now.

You could be right. I was told to give them my trailer serial number and they will tell me what I have. No Joy.
It was suggested on iBoats that I have (Tahoe have) UFP actuators.

Since all this great input on my thread I will make more effort to find out what I have, get the parts I need and do the job myself.
Well, do it with the help of you guys!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Post a picture of your actuator.

 

[nlain]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

I had to have UFP brake parts for my trailer, the only place I found them was at this place: http://drydockboat.com/Products.aspx?Search=ufp . They were great to deal with, shipped fast. Once you figure out what you have, try iboats first, we try and support the folks that provide this place for us, if they don't have what you need then try the link I posted.

The knock you hear when you pull off after a stop is the actuator sliding forward to the pin. Lighter acceleration on take off can help that. The knock on braking is the actuator sliding and hitting the pin, that is probably due to low fluid level and air in the system. Stopping the leak and bleeding all the air from the system will stop the knock on braking.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

I had to have UFP brake parts for my trailer, the only place I found them was at this place: http://drydockboat.com/Products.aspx?Search=ufp

Thats great nlain.
I'll find out exactly what I have and take it from there.
Hopefully they'll ship worldwide.

In the meantime, do you think the knocking back and forth against the pin is going to make something fail or is it pretty robust?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Thats great nlain.
I'll find out exactly what I have and take it from there.
Hopefully they'll ship worldwide.

In the meantime, do you think the knocking back and forth against the pin is going to make something fail or is it pretty robust?

It will be fine until you fix it. There should be a stamp with a model number somewhere on your coupler. Find that and you'll know exactly what actuator you need.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

The knocking that you are hearing is due to the master cylinder being empty and the rod being pushed down to the very end of the master cylinder...equivalent to the brake pedal going down to the floor in your car. When you accelerate you have all that travel that is being taken up and that is why you hear that knock when you accelerate from the stop. No bleeding is going to help you. You need a new master cylinder. While you are at it, replace the wheel cylinders back at your brakes too becuase they don't last very long at all.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

True story. Bruce's instruction was the most instrumental in helping me get back on the road. The good news is master and wheel cylinders are not expensive. My total cost for master cylinder, wheel cylinders, fluid, new gasket kit, inner grease seals, spare bearing set, and grease was $150.

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

Re: Bad Advice? - No option!

I should get my trailer back in the next 2 days so I'll update the thread as soon as I can.
Thanks for all your help.