It's those damn disc brake calipers again

[colbysmith]

Just talked to WaterBill yesterday and sounds like he just had the same problem. He also puts a lot of mileage on his trailer. He has the same brakes I believe, DB-35.

[Salmon Fisher]

I recently replaced all my brake pads and have the Tie Down brand. One of the calipers needed to be replaced. Went on Etrailer.com and found this Kodiak dacromet caliper to be less expensive and made from cast iron, instead of the aluminum Tie Down. BTW no problem so far with rubber bushings coming out of the old Tie Down calipers.


https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Kodiak/KDBC225DAC.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1672411816&gbraid=0AAAAAD_vMtlAB72ykAZ7fHVJcHmgCYKHM&gclid=CjwKCAjwgb_CBhBMEiwA0p3oOFH1vVIQ_VeV88L18xDOK-pTyqTqw5dUk-7QePDsIfJjN1-6bmcHCxoCHXYQAvD_BwE

[colbysmith]

I wonder if those will interchange with the DB-35's? Currently I have 3 or 4 spare DB-35 Calipers, with brake pads, and then also several sets of spare brakpads. And just received ten caliper boots (p/n 33305). I think once my spare caliper boots are gone through, I will either consider swapping to a different caliper, or replace it all with fully electric brakes. It appears those Kodiak brakes have a bronze bushing, but inside of a rubber outer bushing. Still, I think having only the rubber bushing is not holding up to any heat.

[CPlay]

My caliper pins do not have the rubber cap enclosing the end. Maybe this cap is just trapping the heat. I would keep the slide pins well greased. Maybe cut a hole at least 2/3 the diameter of the caliper pin diameter, centered in the end of the cap? This might allow enough airflow to keep the pins cool enough to not melt the bushing. Maybe just try it on the troublesome calipers? If this works, it is a cheap fix. Good luck. -Jeff-

[Salmon Fisher]

Colby,

I would call Etrailer and ask if those Kodiak calipers cross reference with yours. Or you can look it up on that website, there are lots of questions for each product and Etrailer publishes both questions and answers.

Patrick

[Donald Tyson]

Wow, maybe I'll stick with my single axle surge brakes.

[colbysmith]

[KevinMc]

Just a thought about the deteriorating sliding pin cover boots.If the boot stays on,all well and good,I think the boot is there to resist the caliper pin from rusting and gumming up while the pads are wearing and restricting the inward motion of the moving part of the caliper.It is disconcerting to find the boots deteriorating before the pins have reached their maximum inward travel at which time you would have to replace the pads.I think your idea of heat is part of the problem but I would consider not replacing the boots after 500 /1000 miles,only lightly oil the exposed pin heads each time you service the trailer.
By that time the bronze/brass pin bushings would have worn enough to allow a dirty pin to slide without binding.P.S.I suspect the trailer brakes are not as long lived as auto brakes and can be expected to wear out much sooner,In Florida with salt water that is about every two years.

[colbysmith]