Why you should rinse your brakes.

[woody619]

Here's some pics of some brakes we replaced. It might show a new guy how important it is. Sure taught me and my boat's never seen the water, even until now. We just bought this boat. It's our first and we just replaced these

Can you believe this is a hub drum?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Why you should rinse your brakes.

The problem with drum brakes is that they will look like that even if you flush them. Replace them with disc and don't look back

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Why you should rinse your brakes.

What's the smallest size that we can get. The trailer has 20.5x8x10 tires.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Why you should rinse your brakes.

Not only rinse, inspect them occasionally! Just because your trailer has brakes installed doesn't mean they work.

 

[ghamby]

Re: Why you should rinse your brakes.

To answer the original question, after every time you immerse them. If you're
launching in salt water you can't rinse them enough. I have heard of people
carrying a Hudson sprayer in the truck and rinsing down after launch, after
recovery, and a full on hose down once they got home. Beats having the wheels seize up on the highway.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Why you should rinse your brakes.

Saltwater use?

 

[rwidman]

Re: Why you should rinse your brakes.

The problem with drum brakes is that they will look like that even if you flush them. Replace them with disc and don't look back

Yes!

BTW: If you replace drum brakes with disc brakes, you have to replace the actuator also. You can buy a complete kit with everything you need (except the brake fluid).

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Why you should rinse your brakes.

What's the smallest size that we can get. The trailer has 20.5x8x10 tires.

Your limited to drum brakes.
There are some drums and hardware that are made to last longer then the cheapest units the original trailer builder can find.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Why you should rinse your brakes.

Here's some pics of some brakes we replaced. It might show a new guy how important it is. Sure taught me and my boat's never seen the water, even until now. We just bought this boat. It's our first and we just replaced these

Can you believe this is a hub drum?

Not surprised at all.
Poorly and/or partially never painted steel trailer. Most likely never a drop of paint or coating or plating what so ever on the brake components either.
Used in saltwater or towed down an up north road salted till it is white for years on end will do that kinda stuff.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Why you should rinse your brakes.

That trailer looks like it hasn't been maintained in years, even for salt water use....Drum brakes are a problem, even with the flush system, because the dust boot for the wheel cylinder is not water tight. Then water gets in with salt crystals and seizes the piston. When they are new, I take them apart and put synthetic brake grease on the piston and pack the area under the boot with grease, as well as the hole where the push rod enters the boot. That keeps the water out and the cylinder from seizing. The next time I re-do them I will try sealing the edge of the dust boot with high temp RTV for an even better solution....

The other part that causes trouble is the adjuster, these are not stainless so they rust and freeze up. I extend the adjuster all the way out and then pack the threads with OMC triple guard grease which does keep them free.

Disc brakes are better in design for sure but you can still have problems with the caliper pistons seizing in salt water....Of course they are a lot easier to service...but where I am there are many steep hills and drum brakes at least have the return springs to reduce brake drag, and since they are freebacking, no worries with the back up solenoid failing....