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trailer brakes (drum)

Posted: September 20th, 2006, 10:14 am
by Bakertize
I'm have'n a brake problem folks
I have a 21' cc parker on a alum. trl. with drum brakes the brakes activate when the brake is applied and the weight of boat compresses the fluid at the box on the trl. neck .
I am losing brake fluid but not able to find the leak?
I don't know much about drum brakes, should I attempt to fix this myself or take it to coastal trl. and hitch ?
or take off the drum brake and replace with disk brakes ?
if replacing with disk brakes is this some thing I could do or should I take it to the pros?

thx,

Posted: September 20th, 2006, 10:41 am
by Sir reel
Good morning Bakertize.

I'm not the one with your solution but I'm sure that will come from some of our folks. I can say that if the money isn't a question you absolutely could not go wrong with coastal trailer. That being said, one of the reasons you may not be seeing a leak is that it could be pressure related and only happens when the brakes are applied. That would be hard to find (unless yur run'n along side and can check for a squirt :o ). With my limited shade tree mechanical ability, I'd at least trace the lines from point A to all the others and see if there's a break, kink, evidence of a leaky fitting, etc. By the way.... Parker's :thumbup: :D Can't afford one but sure do like em.

Posted: September 20th, 2006, 6:56 pm
by tin can
If they're leaking, you should be able to see it. You might have to take the drums off to find it, but if fluid is leaking, it'll leave evidence.

Drum brakes are no more difficult than disc brakes to repair. If I were to venture a guess, I'd say you probably have a wheel cylinder leaking. You should be able to find replacement wheel cylinders.

Converting to disc shouldn't be a big deal either. It's a bolt on job.

brakes

Posted: September 21st, 2006, 12:27 pm
by melas1
I replaced the drums on my bass boat last year (20' Stratos) with disc brakes. There is a modification that has to be done on the master cylinder in the tongue or replace it. I love the disc, they work much better. However, I had to replace the elec. lockout solonoid since then. I know this does not answer your question about the leak, but I got tired of working on those drums all the time. This was a fairly easy weekend project that was well worth the time and money.