Trailer brake Question, need opinions

This topic has 6 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 1 month ago by trpcollier.

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May 14, 2012 at 4:16 am #333141

ctford
Participant

I have a 1998 Sabre and a matching single axle trailer. The previous owner did not have a clue about anything mechanical. The brakes did not seem to work very well when I bought the rig but it was not a deal breaker at the time.(Later found that the brakes did not work at all, but with my big ole truck I did not notice) Anyway I got home and opened the top of the brake reservoir and found nothing but rust, no fluid just rust. I went ahead and tried to bleed the system but it is full of rust. I got some fluid to move out of one bleed screw at the left hub and it was nasty with particles and I could not manually move the pistons. I have an electric brake controller in my truck because I pull a trailer with my tractor on it. I really like the electric brakes on the other trailer.Should I go without or put electric brakes on the trailer? I can not afford a whole new hydraulic system $400-800. It looks like I might be able to switch to electric to under $150.00.Am I missing something? What are your thoughts? What do I need to buy to convert from hydraulic drums to electric drums?

May 14, 2012 at 4:56 am #333169

ctford
Participant

Sorry posted in wrong area!!!!!!!

May 14, 2012 at 5:10 am #456792

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

The wheel cylinders are not overly expensive and you may be able to hone and rebuild yours. The Master Cylinder is really the only expensive part. You dont know now the brake shoe condition. We would jack it up on jack stands and see what the parts are like. We figure your looking two wheel cylinders and a master cylinder, plus fluid minimum. We often find the shoes in good shape as no one resets the brake shoes manually, as required. We think your out for way less than $800 and maybe $400 max.

May 14, 2012 at 11:59 am #456793

pantera296
Participant

Electric brakes and backing into the water dont work or at least not for long..Id repair the surge brakes you have..

May 14, 2012 at 4:46 pm #456794

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Thanks BcB and Sherm. @ BcB will the “Trailer Rebuild Kit – Drum Brakes Only” kit on the parts site get me everything that I need to do this? I will probably go ahead and run new brake lines as well because Im sure these a corroded inside and full of junk. The reason I though it would be so expensive is because I was looking at a whole new tongue assembly as well because i do not know if everything is working properly on it. Sometimes I have to use a flat screwdriver to move a piece in the coupler so that it will go down on the ball because the master cylinder is not working. Ive never messed with hydraulic trailer brakes. I understand the concept but not really studied the components.Thanks again

May 14, 2012 at 4:54 pm #456795

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

It is possible someone has “jimmied” the coupler and run into the tab open. Though we would still suggest a rebuild. That kit should do most everything except the shoes and you can get those locally. You could save money on that by rebuilding your wheel cylinders if you have that ability. You probably wont be needing the bearings in that kit, seals only unless you have issues. BCB

May 14, 2012 at 9:52 pm #456796

trpcollier
Participant

Had rust in mine and found “gunk” in lines coming from master cylinder. I recently posted that mine was sticking…LONG Story short.. I replaced the master cylinder…. $50… all new rubber brake lines.. Local auto parts store…$84..blew out all metal lines…free… bled brakes and also had to replace splitter valve on the trailer..turned it too tight and cracked it..$5… new fluid and greased caliper pins..$0… works like NEW… went fishing….PRICELESS!!!
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