Servicing my trailer bearings

[rickasbury]

I was in the same situation with my Kodiak Calipers three years ago.

If you count the cost of the rebuild kits along with your labor, it's not so silly

I have way more time than money- if your swapping vs rebuilding, I'd say if everything comes apart its an extra 30 minutes of parts and cleaning up...

 

[dingbat]

I have way more time than money-

I get it, I was there one time as well....

Stainless steel can rust and is notorious for seizing and gulling in assemblies. If, or should I say when you get the piston out, there is a very good chance the bore is toast and you end up buying a new caliper anyhow.

Rebuild kits where $65 - $70 each when I changed my calipers. A new caliper was $30 more....made my decision pretty easy.

 

[Lou C]

stainless steel isn't rust proof it just stains-less!
I think if you changed your brake fluid every 3-5 years (some trailer manufacturers advise this) and actuate the brakes at least once or 2x a month when it's in storage, I think your calipers can last longer.

 

[airshot]

What warranty would you have on a new one?you have a piston that moves back and forth with hydraulic pressure..if it comes apart, it takes about 15 minutes to taje out the old, put in the new and back on tge trailer...

I thought you were referring to a new unit vs a rebuild.

 

[rickasbury]

I get it, I was there one time as well....

Stainless steel can rust and is notorious for seizing and gulling in assemblies. If, or should I say when you get the piston out, there is a very good chance the bore is toast and you end up buying a new caliper anyhow.

Rebuild kits where $65 - $70 each when I changed my calipers. A new caliper was $30 more....made my decision pretty easy.

The best price I found on line , which included pads, 150 bucks. The kits are still 80 bucks so x 4...

 

[dingbat]

The best price I found on line , which included pads, 150 bucks. The kits are still 80 bucks so x 4...

$126 w/ ceramic pads and shipping

Kodiak 225 Dacromet Caliper, Fits 3500, 6000 Lb. Axles

Kodiak 225 Dacromet Caliper, Fits 3500, 6000 Lb. Axles. Dacromet Coated Brake Caliper; Fits 3,500 lb. to 6,000 lb. Axles; Fits 10" & 12" Rotor / Typically Used.

ameratrailparts.com

 

[Lou C]

That's a good deal for brand new!

 

[rickasbury]

$126 w/ ceramic pads and shipping

Kodiak 225 Dacromet Caliper, Fits 3500, 6000 Lb. Axles

Kodiak 225 Dacromet Caliper, Fits 3500, 6000 Lb. Axles. Dacromet Coated Brake Caliper; Fits 3,500 lb. to 6,000 lb. Axles; Fits 10" & 12" Rotor / Typically Used.

ameratrailparts.com

I have them saved on my bookmarks...they did not show up on my searches. I did not see if tgat price included freight- but still a great price, thanks. If the calipers comes apart and they clean up, I'm only looking at seals. I did rebuild all the calipers when I bought...so if I can save 60 bucks then that's a free lunch on the water!

 

[rickasbury]

So...talked to my buddy chat...chat gbt and I would have never thought of it..local hardware store for a Greek zerk, installed where the inlet to the brake line is...i left all the liquid I sprayed in there...starting pumping...couple of pumps more...some pops and walah!

 

[99yam40]

So...talked to my buddy chat...chat gbt and I would have never thought of it..local hardware store for a Greek zerk, installed where the inlet to the brake line is...i left all the liquid I sprayed in there...starting pumping...couple of pumps more...some pops and walah!

did anyone understand what he was writing?

 

[rickasbury]

did anyone understand what he was writing?

Sorry if it was not clear. Just like you might use an air compressor to push the piston out (which did not work), I put a grease zerk fitting where the break line connected to the caliper and used my hand pump grease gun and it pumped right out. The grease gun has a back flow valve in it and develops way more pressure than air can. I can imagine other times when something is stuck this would work. My lesson in physics for the day.

 

[tpenfield]

Is this a technique for pushing out a brake caliper piston?

if so, I’m wondering about the grease remaining in the cylinder

 

[Lou C]

Wonder if a Mightyvac would do the same job. I know they can be used to bleed brakes, but I use a Lisle one man brake bleeder, it's a simple device that works well.

 

[99yam40]

Is this a technique for pushing out a brake caliper piston?

if so, I’m wondering about the grease remaining in the cylinder

I agree.
I would think contaminating the brake fluid system with grease is not a good idea