UFP DB42 caliper rebuild. Worth it?

[smassey22180]

I just purchased a new used 2001 boat that came on a nice Zieman trailer with UFP disk surge brakes. The master was leaking a little so I have ordered a new replacement. The original was steel and had some rust in the fluid (the replacement is aluminum). I have flushed the fluid and it is clean now but I have a feeling the rust/moisture/sitting around has slightly damaged the seals in the calipers. One of them seems stickier than the other. They do not leak. For $25 I can get 2 new pistons and seals. Is a caliper rebuild a waste of time?

Other options include 2 new DB42 calipers for $100. Or new DB35 calipers/rotors/bearings/seals for $250 which seem like a sensible upgrade. We tow with a Lexus RX400h so we need all the braking help we can get . 3500 lb limit with a 3000 + lb load. Thanks


http://www.easternmarine.com/UFP-Trailer-Disc-Brakes/

 

[Scott Danforth]

a rebuild is never a waste of time, I consider it normal maintenance. brake fluid is hydrogropic (absorbs moisture) by nature and should be changed every 1-2 years as normal maintenance.

 

[Scott Danforth]

a rebuild is never a waste of time, I consider it normal maintenance. brake fluid is hydrogropic (absorbs moisture) by nature and should be changed every 1-2 years as normal maintenance.

I would first pull apart what you have. in most cases you would only need to clean out the crud. however if the trailer has never had routine brake service, then I would order rebuild kits.

 

[dingbat]

I would upgrade to kodiak disc with ceramic pads and never look back. They make UFP calipers look like toys

 

[smassey22180]

I pulled one of the calipers apart today and it looked new inside. I was surprised as the master was full of orange mud. Thanks

 

[dingbat]

I pulled one of the calipers apart today and it looked new inside. I was surprised as the master was full of orange mud. Thanks

An aluminum actuators is the only way to go

 

[smassey22180]

Final update. Replaced master cyl over the weekend. Bleed air out and trailer is stopping with twice the force as before. The clunk pulling away from a stop is now gone. Also, I am no longer able to back up at all. Not even an inch on a perfectly flat road. The trailer has the electric bypass valve but my truck did not have the wiring. I will wire in a 5 way plug before I go out again. thanks

 

[bruceb58]

Replace your brake fluid every 2 years and you will have a lot less issues with both the master cylinder and your calipers.