Trailer braking problem

[talltigeguy]

All 4 wheels have disc brakes. I would be worried about trying to do a quick stop with a 6,000 pound trailer with just 2 tires braking. My car doesn't weigh that much, and I have brakes on all 4 tires.

The pads seem to be without much wear.

[da.bell]

I only have one axel with breaks. Disk brakes that is.....

Okay, I just looked at what I have.... I lied. Brakes on all four wheels.....

I have to check it when I get home. I am sure I only saw brakes on two of the wheels....

[wakeboarder247]

Okay, I just looked at what I have.... I lied. Brakes on all four wheels.....

I have to check it when I get home. I am sure I only saw brakes on two of the wheels....

I'm pretty sure I only have brakes (disc) on the front axle too.

[anhaney]

Talltigeguy, do you pull in canyons and windy roads most of the time or are you on the freeway's?

If you are in the canyons and windy roads or coming down step grades more often then not chances are you need to replace the actuator assembly. The Shock is probably worn out and the spring is week. You also probably have a master cylinder that is worn out. for $175.00. I would change my complete assembly. They are not hard to replace. I would suggest you buy a vaccume bleader and vaccume bleed the system. Do you have an air compressor? If you do I can assist you in getting vaccume bleeder from the local CARQUEST store in ST. George down on main street. I can talk to the guys there and see what they can do for you as they are one of my customers.

[talltigeguy]

My most frequent trips are 17 minutes to the lake about once a week for 8-9 months of the year and then 7-10 trips to Lake Mead or Lake Powell. The local trip is only 7 stops or so, and no braking for corners. The trips to Mead or Powell are 100-150 miles one way, mostly highway.

I think replacing the whole thing is what I will do, just need to find the time and make sure I do it right. I sure appreciate your help with getting a vaccuum bleeder if needed. Can't I just hook it up to the shop-vac?

[anhaney]

My most frequent trips are 17 minutes to the lake about once a week for 8-9 months of the year and then 7-10 trips to Lake Mead or Lake Powell. The local trip is only 7 stops or so, and no braking for corners. The trips to Mead or Powell are 100-150 miles one way, mostly highway.

I think replacing the whole thing is what I will do, just need to find the time and make sure I do it right. I sure appreciate your help with getting a vaccuum bleeder if needed. Can't I just hook it up to the shop-vac?

a shop vac will create to much suction I would think and pull the piston cups out of place in the master cyl. I have never tried that. Kind of a different idea. It sure would make a mess of your shop vac to have brake fluid all over in it. The vacuum bleeder pulls brake fluid through the system and also remove the air. This way you do not need anyone actually moving the actuator or brake pedal when bleeding the system. I can bleed a whole care by my self in ten minutes flat with out a brake fluid mess all over the drive way.

[talltigeguy]

Can't I just hook it up to the shop-vac?

I was joking. Sorry, it didn't sound as funny when I wrote it down as when I was thinking it.

[anhaney]

a shop vac will create to much suction I would think and pull the piston cups out of place in the master cyl. I have never tried that. Kind of a different idea. It sure would make a mess of your shop vac to have brake fluid all over in it. The vacuum bleeder pulls brake fluid through the system and also remove the air. This way you do not need anyone actually moving the actuator or brake pedal when bleeding the system. I can bleed a whole care by my self in ten minutes flat with out a brake fluid mess all over the drive way.

Man, I have some spelling issues. That is what I get for staying up so late and not getting sleep.

I figured you were joking Tallguy but just in case cause some people don't I figured I better let you know the rest of the info.

[xpjim1]

Ok - So when I was pulling my boat out of storage the hopping trailer happened again. I did a check and it turns out that all 5
lug nuts were loose and the rim was bouncing around on bent studs. I was taking the trailer to have he brakes inspected from my last trailer incidence leaving the lake last time out. $35 I was good to go. I talked to a friend of mine who went out boating with us that weekend as he started compalining about his trailer. He also had lug nuts loose on one of his trailer tires. I check the lug nuts regularly but not every trip. That will become part of the daily check now

[da.bell]

sounds like someone is playing around with trailers.........

[CP3]

Check your NUTS regularly

[da.bell]

Okay, I just looked at what I have.... I lied. Brakes on all four wheels.....

I have to check it when I get home. I am sure I only saw brakes on two of the wheels....

Yes, for disk brakes on two axels.....

[xpjim1]

Kind of strange to have both of us having the loose lug nuts. Had a little incident on the launch ramp that morining with a person putting up his bimini and loading the boat on in the lane on the ramp. Just kind of wonder if they messed with our trailers? Live and learn. Just one more thing I will be checking. Trailer is back to normal which is good

[da.bell]

XP, you aren't kidding. I don't argue with anyone on my lake but I also need to check those lug nuts also on a regular basis. That was one great idea and recommendation.

[dogbert]

Check your NUTS regularly

Kinda like baseball, right?