trailer brakes out

[Drew00]

hey everyone, i am new to the site and was hoping that someone could give me some insight on the project that i am about to start. the brakes on my tailer are definitely out, i found out that it is the brake line that runs through the tubing of the trailer, from the master cylinder to the drums in the back. has anyone ever changed this on their trailer before. i already ordered the kit from dorsey and should have it by friday. it looks pretty straight forward and i am pretty confident i can do it. any words of widom would be greatly appreciated.
thanks, and this site is awesome.

[wakejunky]

RE: trailer brakes out

Pretty easy fix. Definately recommend a good set of working brakes. The problem with drum brakes is that there is so many working parts and it's subjected to water so much that you're lucky if they work a season or two. Definately check them frequently and make sure you use synthetic brake fluid which is less susceptible to water and condensation nor will it peel the paint off your trailer.

Chris

[darrel409]

RE: trailer brakes out

My trailer brakes were out too. I just repaired them 2 weeks ago. After replacing your brake lines dont forget to check everything else. My wheel cylinders on each side were rust-siezed from previous owner lack of use. I have a DHM trailer so i contacted them, they were very helpful talking me thru the possible causes and corrections. They quickly sent me out all the parts i needed. I replaced pads, wheel cylinders, all seals, re-greased plus fresh dot 5 brake fluid. Dot 5 is silicone and less damaging to painted trailers. I also discovered bleeding the lines can be a one person job! amazing what you can do when you eliminate your options. Good luck!

[Drew00]

thanks a bunch for the help. i am just hoping that nothing else is wrong with the brakes. they were working just fine as of last week, so i am thinking that its just the line. i will most definitely use the synthetic fluid. i ended up getting the brake line really cheap from dorsey, way cheaper than the correct craft dealer around here. i plan on doing it this weekend. also, darrel was it pretty easy changing the pads on the drums. i remember when i was younger watching my dad change the pads on the cars we had, and it always seemed pretty difficult. thanks for all your help guys i really appreciate it.

[darrel409]

Yeah, its pretty simple, just like on a car. I plan in advance to lose a couple knuckles when removing the springs/pads from the backing plate. After your lines are replaced and the system bled, inspect your pads for wear, if they have life left in them just adjust them, if you need to replace note which side is left/right and which is top/bottom. Check the wheel cylinders to make sure they are engaging pads. If you have grease all over your wheels replace the seals. Very satisfing when you do it yourself, leaves a little ch-ching in the pocket too.

[ffmedic74]

If I were already into what you are doing I would go ahead and buy new disk brakes change the lines if rusted and buy a new mastercylinder for the tongue. I recently went through an ordeal trying to figure out why my brakes were not working correctly. Titan sent me a new mastercylinder which did not help. I replaced a couple other items on the brakes without success so I just purchased all new stuff. I purchased a new Titan tongue designed for disk brakes and a set of kodiac disk brakes http://www.kodiaktrailer.com/redswish/. I do still have the new titan tongue complete for drum brakes that I would sell cheap. It has had fluid in it. Let me know if your interested. The difference between drum and disk brakes is amazing!

[Drew00]

Thanks ff, but I already fixed them. the line that i replaced was pretty rusted out. it really wasnt all that difficult changing the lines, the only thing is that when i was running the new line through it must have gotten caught up on the taillight wires and it ended up pulling them inside the frame. so know i have to fix those. dont think it will be all that much trouble and i have a few ideas of a better way to keep them protected. about the disc brakes, man i would love to have some on the trailer, but i just convinced the wife to let me put a small system on the boat. the drums will have to do for now.