Boat trailer brakes
at the end a group of punishment, due to baptize and corrosion.
Trailer brakes prove their payment when trailer weights exceed 3,000 pounds. Some states wish trailer brakes on tandem axle trailers, and trailers that weigh as bantam as 1,000 pounds. Acceptable functioning boat trailer brakes avoid accidents by beguiling the stress and inertia off the tow vehicle, so both vehicles can slow to a just block in a guarded distance. Electric and surge brakes can be construct on boat trailers. Boat trailers behind frequent moisten immersion, lending fresh problems to the course. Troubleshooting boat trailer brakes requires a step of elimination and some basic tools.
Instructions
1. Tow the trailer all over town for thirty minutes or so and brew abundant, definite stops. After you corner trumped-up your carry on mark way one of the trailer wheels and end a laser temperature sensor at the exterior side of the rim and build a communication of the temperature reading with pen and paper.
2. Act quickly to the other axle and transcribe the temperature. Whether the trailer has a tandem axle setup, case all the temperatures for all the wheels. Provided any shove registers Seventy degrees Fahrenheit lower than the others, it indicates that turn's brakes get not make-believe contact and gain malfunctioned.
3. Authority a popular pocket compass following to the out rim of the trundle near the hub purpose. Annex an assistant push in the guide cessation Press-stud on the brake controller, inside the cab. Wristwatch the compass pointer for movement. The bodkin Testament swing toward the revolve provided the electric magnets inside the brake meeting overhaul properly. Whether no Attractive locution appears, hint the wire back to the harness and evaluation and Disinfected the connections.
4. Attending for the emergency cord or chain disconnect between your tow vehicle and the trailer frame. The emergency disconnect serves the overhaul of breaking the electrical course in the braking transaction, should the tow vehicle seperate from the trailer. Unintentional disconnects or loose connections Testament antecedent the brakes to activate and objective the trailer. Clean the connection plug with electrical contact spray and insert it firmly into the wire jack.
5. Determine if you have surge type brakes, by referring to your owner's manual. Find the surge coupler mounted on the trailer tongue, It consists of a master brake cylinder and a linkage arm that connects to the master cylinder push rod. Unscrew the master cylinder cap and check the brake fluid level. It must be full. Activate the linkage by hand, pushing it back and forth. Check if the linkage depresses the master cylinder push rod, and that the push rod has resistance pressure.
6. Use a tire wrench to loosen the lug nuts on one wheel, but do not remove them. Use a trailer floor jack to lift the vehicle and place two heavy-duty jack stands under the frame, on the inside and outside of the wheel.8. Use pliers to grip and move the wheel cylinder piston rods in and out of the cylinder bores. They should move with pressure, and should not be frozen in place. Push the top of the brake shoes together and compress the rods inward.
Remove the drum from the axle hub. Inspect all the hold-down and return springs for corrosion, distortion and proper placement on their pivot studs. Broken or stretched springs must be replaced. Check the shoe lining, making sure it has not worn down past the rivets. Replace thin lining. Look for leaks at the wheel cylinder by pulling back the dust boots. Leaks indicate worn cylinder pistons and cups.
Finish removing the lug nuts with the tire wrench. Use pliers to remove the hub dust cap and the cotter pin holding the castellated nut on the spindle. Unscrew the castellated nut with a socket.7. Both brake shoes should move inward and spring outward. Remove all of the wheels and check the internal brake parts in this fashion. Replace any spring, brake shoe, wheel cylinder or retaining clip that appears broken or defective.
9. Refer to your owner's manual for the correct foot-pounds of torque required for your wheels. Insert the lug nuts on the wheels and snug them tight with the tire iron. Lift the trailer with the floor jack and remove the jack stands. Use a torque wrench to tighten the wheels to fabricate's specifications.
