HOTTT trailer brakes

[2nazt]

So my brake calipers are hot in our short drive like you can smell them and not touch the rims. Do you think bleeding the brakes will do it or should I upgrade and get the new aluminum ones since I'm a saltwater guy. I believe the calipers are stock from when I bought the boat a few months ago and the trailer wasn't used much at all. Should I just swap all the brake fluid and bleed? What is everyone expert opinion?

 

[mb300sd]

Are you sure they're not dragging? I'd jack up the wheel and see if it turns freely.

 

[2nazt]

They take some force to turn, I already tried to push the calipers back in and reinstalled back into place I haven't tried to bleed them yet. They are kinda rusted though.

 

[mb300sd]

Not sure what kind of calipers are on these stock - mine came with the mounting flanges rusted off and I went electric when replacing. Either they have 2 pistons and 1 is probably stuck, or the caliper rides on a slide that is frozen.

 

[2nazt]

Ya one piston on inside of caliper. Not the best design either but easy enough to change out. No slide pins or anything really to clean lubricate it looks like. Just the piston and dust cap. So at 67 per aluminum upgrade with shoes and hardware included I may go that way regardless. How much was your electric upgrade? If you don't mind me asking.

 

[mb300sd]

If it only has 1 piston, I'm pretty sure it has to have a way to slide so that the rotor is centered between the pads.

I had to replace the whole axle since the brake mounting flange was rusted off - seemed like the only part that wasn't galvanized, the rest is rust free. I think it was around $250 for everything. It looks like the brake assemblies are $30 and drums are around $50. I already had a brake controller and it would have been much more to fix the hydraulic system since the master cylinder was full of salt water too.

Anyone need a perfectly good non-braking axle?

 

[2nazt]

Now I'm thinking there were two Allen head slide pins to disassemble. Oops. I may try to clean and bleed tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[robert843]

If they are rusted and I would just go ahead and replace them or you will just be doing this again down the road. I had a shop do mine this year and replace all four hubs and break lines and the cost was $600 so it should not be too expensive if you were to do it yourself

 

[2nazt]

I guess I will do new calipers since the saltwater won't help anything. Can anyone confirm these parts for a 08 MFI trailer?http://www.pacifictrailers.com/model-db-35-trailer-buddy-UFP-aluminum-disc-brake-caliper-42015/

 

[2nazt]

I have checked all wheels. Spin freely no real play on them. Rotors are not pitted warped or cracked. No real marks or wear so I think I will be good with just calipers.

 

[robert843]

I have an MFI trailer as well I will try and see what part the used tomorrow.

 

[itsdgm]

I guess I will do new calipers since the saltwater won't help anything. Can anyone confirm these parts for a 08 MFI trailer?http://www.pacifictrailers.com/model-db-35-trailer-buddy-UFP-aluminum-disc-brake-caliper-42015/

Yep. I replaced mine (07 MFI) with aluminum UFP DB35 calipers from pacific trailers a few seasons ago.