Help with trailer brake drums and bearings

[dba4life]

Hi

I have a 1994 Sport Nautique. Original trailer.

The brakes still work but both drums are leaking fluid. I don't know much about drum brakes. Is this repairable? Pictures of the drum:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...257&size=o

Also when talking with the shop that I am going to bring it to they mentioned doing the disc brake conversion. I read a little about that on this forum. I would prefer to get the existing brakes fixed but if that is going to be pricey then I may go with the conversion. Is this a Ramlin trailer? Note the wheels are aftermarket - added by the previous owner. Pict:

http://www.flickr.com/photo_zoom.gne...57594077328387

Finally I believe the bearings need attention. When I attach my grease gun to the zerk it pumps some grease in there. But the cover does not push out the way I am used to. Grease starts filling around the zerk fitting and back out at me. This is not normal correct?

Thanks for any advice.

[dba4life]

Re

I found the manual and it looks like grease coming out of these bearings after adding via the zerk is "normal".

Scanned image of the manual is attached in case this helps someone down the road.

[dba4life]

RE: Re

Hi All

Was pretty well set on something like this that was posted in the forum before:

http://shop.easternmarine.com/index....categoryID=155

But I realized that my wheels have 6 lugs on them. Was this standard in 94? Doesn't look like there is a kit for me which is driving up the cost.

Any advice?

Thanks

[Rick]

RE: Re

You just have to replace the slave cylinders in the drums. The trailer manufacturer should be able to tell you what car they came off of the parts should be under $100

[i_am_am]

RE: Re

sounds like a ram-lin trailer. i just went through adding brakes to the axles. look at www.championtrailers.com for replacement parts that work perfectly. original owner took the brakes off my trailer. kit works great!

[DanielC]

RE: Re

Sometimes a good auto parts store will be able to identify the wheel cylinders if you take them to the store. Probably not a national chain, but an independent store in your area that has been in business for a long time. If the store has a lot of shiny "bling" type stuff, you are probably in the wrong store

[darrel409]

RE: Re

easy to just get the whole backing plate forward and replace it all at once. Championtrailers has everything.

[dba4life]

RE: Re

Hi

I am trying to decide between:

1) Spending the time to troubleshoot and repair the drums. Worried about downtime as someone tears it apart and orders parts, etc
2) Just replaceing the backing plate, cylinder, shoes, etc. Just ordering new parts. But worried once someone is in there it is more then this. Also still stuck with drum brakes.
3) Replacing everything with the disc brakes.

I did find a 6 lug kit for $444. Any thoughts on if this will work on my trailer? Seems like the 6 lug kits are not sold very many places.

http://www.trailerpartsdepot.com/cus...270KIT&eq=

Thanks for the help

[darrel409]

RE: Re

Theres really no one perfect answer, everyone has different needs.
How much /miles do you tow?
What type of terrain? Hills? ...
What is your tow vehicle?
Does it need assistance stopping the boat?
How long do you plan to keep current boat/tow rig?
The answer to these kind of questions will help you decide how much you want to invest.

I had a brake problem a few years ago on my drum brakes. I replaced shoes and cylinders piece by piece to correct the problem. If I was to do it again i would just buy the backing plates w/ everything the first trip.

[dba4life]

RE: Re

Great questions Darrel409.

You are right about each having different needs.

I don't tow much these days. 30 miles R/T to the lake and back. Once a week.

We occasionally will goto a lake about 120 miles R/T. Three times last year. None this year yet. I am sure we will at some point take a longer road trip....but we have not done it yet in 6 years of owning a boat.

Flat terrain. Very limited stop and go.

I tow with an 04 Yukon Denali. It doesn't need much help...but yet in an emergency situation you can use all the help you can get right? Managed to keep myself out of those...knocking on wood.

I plan to keep the Denali for a long time. The boat...well I should say I will be keeping a long time..and probably will keep it at least a few years more

I do tow with some dead weight in there as well.

I have been back and forth like 5 times today alone on what to do.

I am leaning towards the kit above for $444. Will probably give them a call to find out compatibility. I also have a call into a local place that comes to you for trailer repairs. May see what they have to say.

Sorry for all the thinking out loud.

[Batman]

RE: Re

I am in same predicament. I have an Eagle trailer and needs some brake work. It has drum brakes, so I would need the shoes, master cylinder, and I believe the actuator needs to be replaced, so it all adds up! ugh!