Need advise for trailer brake job

[Eric M.]

My cousin has a boat and has asked if I could help him with a brake job for the trailer.

My questions:
-If I need parts, where do I go? Do most local auto parts store carry trailer brake parts?

-What info. from the trailer will I need to get the right parts? Is it like a truck - year, model, etc? Or, do I tell them the type of boat that sits on the trailer?

-What sort of difference can I expect with trailer brakes vs. truck brakes? Are they going to look the same once I get the drum off?

-What's a Bering Buddy? What does it do? How do I take it off? Anything more I need to know about this Bering Buddy thing?

-The master cylinder is covered pretty well with a bracket. There is a twist off lid to add fluid. How would I bleed this? I have a pressure bleeder but doubt it will fit. Can I do it without the bleeder like with trucks - how?


Thanks,
My cousin and I appreciate it.

Eric M.

 

[throttleissues]

I like to get my brake parts from a Brake supply store, as opposed to a parts store, since they are usually much more knowledgeable and prepared for oddball parts.
Don't take info, take parts. Disassemble one side and take everything you need with you to match up for new parts.
They look very similar to truck drum brakes. I stated to take one side apart, not both, so that you can use the other for reference if you forget where something goes.
The Bering Buddy is just a way to grease the hubs without taking them all apart. It's a good idea to give it a squirt after a boat trip to push any water back out. It just replaces the tin cap that would normally be on the hub, and they usually come right off with a little tap of a hammer (sideways).
If you put up a pic of the master, we may be able talk you through a bleed, but the pressure bleeder or vacuum bleeder is usually the easiest.
Have fun.

 

[lectric80]

Something very important to note about Bearing Buddy's, they will destroy the wheel seals on your axles.

Sorry for anyone who doesn't realize this, but your trailers don't get hot enough to burn out all the grease that you are pushing in with these. Just something to think about, when you go through your front end and grease the bearings, do you push more in, or clean out what is already there first? It is no different for a trailer. There is only so much room for grease and bearings, and using these things just pushes more grease in with no outlet other than the wheel seals. I can't tell you how many trailers I have replaced bearings on because of those things, eventually the seal just quits holding grease and it all works out the backside of the hub. Once that happens, your bearings burn up pretty quick.

In conclusion, if you are going to use them, make sure you take the time to clean and repack the bearings every year. This will protect your investment far more than packing them full of grease over and over until something catastrophic takes you out on the road.

 

[Eric M.]

Thanks guys,

I ment to take a pictute of the master the last time we were out, but forgot. I'll have my cousin snap a shot and I'll post it up.

Thanks,

Eric M.

 

[Jason4x4]

i've always gone to a trailer supply, and they will usually sell you backing plates with everything on them instead of individual pieces.

 

[sweetk30]

yep new loaded backing plates are the ticket.

and try local truck supply shops for big truck stuff thay sell all that stuff.