Brakes = 0 , New Mastercylinder?

[Jeffrey Durham]

Well, I guess that I did not have brakes last year at all (Never had a trailer with brakes, so I didnt know how they were suppose to feel). Anyway, had a leak around master cyclinder, fixed that (solenoid loose) and bleed them really well and they just barely work, not enough to stop the trailer or even slow it down. I am guessing that the guy before me didnt have the reserve hooked up and messed up the mastercyclinder. Where is the best place to either get a kit or a new mastercylinder? Any estimates on cost of each? Help! I have no brakes! Thanks in advance for the tons of info that is coming my way from all the cool folks here



Thanks again,



Jeff (Did I mention that it is suppose to be 70s here this weekend?)

 

[Bruce Freeman]

Not enough to work or slow it down? They should not lock up but you should feel them? What do you feel and how have you tested them?

BF

 

[Jeffrey Durham]

I can still turn the jackup up wheel by hand.. Is that normal?



Jeff

 

[Jim B]

You can turn it with someone else compressing the cylinder?

 

[Jeffrey Durham]

Yes, the cylinder will go all the way in and I can still turn the wheel.

 

[Jim B]

Somethings stil not right then. you either have a leak, air still in the lines or a bad master.

 

[Jeffrey Durham]

So, where can I find either a kit or a new master cylinder?



Thanks,



Jeff

 

[Jim B]

Do you have the ufp actuator that kinda looks like this?

if you do go to www.ufpnet.com and they have phone numbers there as well as troubleshooting info etc.



There is a way to test the master on the trailer if you have this type of actuator. There is a little hole on the bottom that will allow you to compress the cylinder with a screwdriver. If you do that and see movement in the fluid inside the master is working in theory.



I would also check the backup seloniod. If its stuck open you wont get any pressure on the brakes at all. There is a little rubber tube that diverts all the pressure back into the master cyl. if its stuck you get zero pressure, that happened to me once and a couple of taps with the end of a screwdriver was all ot took to free it up and its been fine for 3 years since.

 

[Jim B]

I forgot one thing. If that is the type you have and you end up having to change the mater its not too expensive. I think i paid like $40 for mine when i di dit two years ago( mine was leaking out of the front seals). I also replaced the shock inside at the same time while i had it apart.

 

[Jeffrey Durham]

That is exactly it, many thanks Jim B!