Surge Brake Problems?

[lncoop]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

Coop, I'm suprised that you wouldn't do this yourself. For the price you'd pay anyone else to replace your drums, you could've had Kodiak disc brakes with everything new front to back with very little effort in an afternoon while sucking down a couple of beers. We've posted a hundred times about how to do it, if you can change a tire, you can do this! We're only a click away, what are friends for if you don't use us?

I know. I came to my senses and decided to do it myself. Probably tackle it this weekend if I have time and can get the parts locally. The good news is the master cylinder appears to be readily available for my coupler, so my plan (assuming no one finds fault with it) is to replace the master, flush and bleed the lines, and thoroughly clean the brake parts assuming they don't have to be junked. If they do I'll already have them off anyway, so there ya have it. Thanks for the vote of confidence. What time will you be at my house?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

Peel back the rubber on the wheel cylinders and see what it looks like in there. I would really suggest to replace those as well. They only last so long and it will keep you from going through the whole bleed procedure twice.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

New wheel cylinders it is. Seems like a little bit of money well spent. Thanks Bruce.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

Comes from experience. Helped my brother change out his master and we were replacing the wheel cylinders within a week later.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

When I redid my trailer I replaced the MC and backing plates with cylinders and shoes intalled. They needed it bad. Flushed the lines with new fluid, installed the new backing plates, repacked the bearings, replaced teh seals, adjusted the shoes and bled the system. It's been working great for the last couple years. Way better peace of mind than with no brakes. It is not that difficult.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

Okay guys, thanks to your encouragement and advice I felt comfy enough to break 'er open and take a peek. Here's what I discovered. I've only taken off the curb side wheel so far, but the bearings were fine and still had ample grease. I did destroy the inner bearing seal getting it out, but no biggie. The backing plate doesn't look bad at all, but Bruce wins the golden jeep (or boat in this case). I unscrewed the wheel cylinder and it came apart in my hand as I pulled it off. So, it is looking like I'll be able to replace the master and wheel cylinders, flush and bleed the lines, re-pack the bearings and replace the seals, and be good to go. I'll post an update when I'm done. Fun stuff.

 

[sandersps]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.. Man I wanted to give my advice to, but everybody came together and said everything I was gonna say. And now one more person has a little more confidence and is a little more mechanically inclined. Is this a great place or what?

Just make sure when you go back together.
1) Keep it all clean.
2) Bleed all air.
3) Bleed it some more. If you have trouble getting it to bleed then bench bleed it first.
4) Make sure all your moving parts do just that.
5) Have a few cold beers.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

I did destroy the inner bearing seal getting it out, but no biggie.

There is basically no way to not destroy that seal taking the bearing out. Buy extras to have around for next time.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

deleted

 

[lncoop]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

Replaced both wheel cylinders and repacked bearings last night. This evening I'll slap in the new master and flush and bleed the lines. Since this has most likely never been done I'm thinking the smart money is on leaving the lines disconnected while I flush them in order to avoid getting any debris in the new wheel cylinders. Thoughts?

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

Yup do that but be sure to cap them somehow as brake fluid will absorb water from the air. Better to flush and connect to the new cylinders ASAP. Did you get/make the pressure bleeder?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

I ran two quarts of fluid through the disconnected lines, taking each connection loose one at a time, reconnecting it, then disconnecting the next one, and working my way from the coupler back. Once the fluid came through nice and clean I hooked everything up and bled in the opposite direction. I didn't make the pressure bleeder, Dockwrecker. I borrowed a vacuum pump from Advance but my girls ended up outside with me so we did it the old fashioned way. They abandoned me halfway through but I got 'er done. I tested it by jacking up the trailer and actuating the MC with the wheels spinning, then I hooked up and went for a test run. Towed it fifteen or twenty miles, half of it on the freeway, and used a heavy brake foot occasionally between point A and point A, stopping several times to verify the hubs weren't hot. I think I can pronounce it good thanks to you guys.

 

[rbh]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

Good on ya ole man, two thumbs up for perceverance, and persistance, backed up by persperation,
(yup need spell check, good show!!!)

 

[lncoop]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

Good on ya ole man, two thumbs up for perceverance, and persistance, backed up by persperation,
(yup need spell check, good show!!!)

Lots of all three, but triple check on the perspiration. We're in the middle of an early hot spell. 99-102 according to the truck. At least now I can get the crew to the lake to beat the heat.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

Good job!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Surge Brake Problems?

Thanks guys. Y'all are the cats.