Installing Brakes

[mitchell2345]

Hi,

I purchased a disc break to put on my trailer. The instructions are pretty vague and am looking for some more detail. Attached is the layout I think i need to use when running brake lines. The next page says for torsion suspension but mine is leaf style. The main question I have is where the flexible hoses need to go. Looking at this diagram parts 1 & 12 are flex and 2 & 3 are solid steel lines.

So what I am guessing when I jump from the frame of the trailer to the axle i use the flex and then off the T I use solid tubing strait into the caliper? Before I saw the instructions I assumed I used the flex when going to the brake caliper. (That's how the instructions say to do it for torsion.) Any pointers here?

Also, do I really need to go buy a flaring kit or can I just use up the slake with some zig-zaging or taking a longer path? At this point I dont really know how much extra I will have.

Thanks,
Mitchell

 

[mitchell2345]

Re: Installing Brakes

Just noticed my PIC was really small...here is a better copy.

Looking at pictures that I can find it looks like most ppl use a flex line from the SS on axle to the caliper. Can I get by with using all SS from the T to the caliper?

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/bju32

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Installing Brakes

Not just to state the obvious, but ....

Use flex line in any place the the line will be flexing.
Use the (less expensive) solid line where flexing is not needed.

Brakes are no place for RedNeck engineering.
Do it right or have someone else do it.
Flaring kits are not overly expensive.
Most auto parts stores will rent them cheap/free. Just ask!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Installing Brakes

You need flex lines from the trailer frame to the tee on the axle and to each of the disc brake calipers. If you have a single axle trailer you will need three total.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: Installing Brakes

You need a flexi behind the actuator, then rigid along a frame rail to above the axle then a flexi to T on axle.
You have leaf springs so you can forget the flexie's from axle to cylinder. Run rigid pipe the width of your axle with the T in (the T can go anywhere but when you bleed them start with the cylinder with the shortest pipe run).

*if you have a folding tongue you'll need one there too.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Installing Brakes

This is a pic of what you will need for each axle. You do not need flex line off of the actuator. One flex line and one tee per axle if you have leaf springs.And yes the ends have to be flared.

Pic of flex line from frame rail to tee.

Pic from back of actuator.

Pic of tee mounted on axle. The flex line to the tee and the hard line to both wheels

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Installing Brakes

This is a pic of what you will need for each axle. You do not need flex line off of the actuator. One flex line and one tee per axle if you have leaf springs.

And one going to each disc caliper. You do not want a rigid line going to a caliper since they need to float.

I agree that you don't need one after the actuator unless there's an issue with bending the brake line up to it.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Installing Brakes

And one going to each disc caliper. You do not want a rigid line going to a caliper since they need to float.

I agree that you don't need one after the actuator unless there's an issue with bending the brake line up to it.

My mistake, i am looking at drum brakes

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: Installing Brakes

It's got a solid axle on leaf spring's, so how are the brakes going to move in relation to the axle when the brakes are bolted directly on the end of it?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Installing Brakes

It's got a solid axle on leaf spring's, so how are the brakes going to move in relation to the axle when the brakes are bolted directly on the end of it?

Disc calipers float on guide pins typically that are attached to an adapter bolted to the brake flange. Not aware of any disc brake calipers for trailers, and recent cars for that matter, that behave differently than that.

If you run solid line to them, the solid line will force the inner brake pad against the disc causing excessive wear because of increased drag.

 

[Cheetah 210es]

Re: Installing Brakes

It's on drums. OP clarified in last post.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Installing Brakes

It's on drums. OP clarified in last post.

If you see that tell me what post #. He has only posted twice in this thread at post #1 and post #2 and only mentions disc brakes.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Installing Brakes

Yep!, Post #1 Line #1

I purchased a disc brakes to put on my trailer...

It is not obvious, but the calipers on disks float as Bruce stated.
They do not move much, maybe a 1/16th. of an inch as you apply the brakes, and a 1/4 inch over time as the pads wear.
But it is a very necessary movements that would either kill the pads or fatigue the brake line if you used rigid brake line.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Installing Brakes

As installed by the OEM on my Four Winns trailer, there is a flex line from the trailer frame to a tee on the axle with leaf springs and rigid lines from there to the calipers. The rigid lines do have generous bends in them that would allow for caliper float. Is this OK, or do I own another example of an OEM taking the easy (and cheap) way?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Installing Brakes

As installed by the OEM on my Four Winns trailer, there is a flex line from the trailer frame to a tee on the axle with leaf springs and rigid lines from there to the calipers. The rigid lines do have generous bends in them that would allow for caliper float. Is this OK, or do I own another example of an OEM taking the easy (and cheap) way?

Depends on if the calipers are floating type or not. What brand are the brakes? Easiest way to tell is if the calipers have pistons on both sides or not. Pistons on one side means floating.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Installing Brakes

Depends on if the calipers are floating type or not. What brand are the brakes? Easiest way to tell is if the calipers have pistons on both sides or not. Pistons on one side means floating.

Kodiak with single piston so they're floating.