Flushing trailer brake fluids

yhc · Joined: 26 Jun 2006 Posts: 15

Good morning.

I changed the brake backings on my 2003 EZ loader (tandem axle trailer w/ surge drum brakes) yesterday. I tried to use vacuum device to flush the brake fluids from the system but still getting some bubbles after flushing 16 oz of brake fluids--I think it is from the zerk fitting itself rather than the line as I can hear the audible "leak" as I pressurize the vacuum system. So I am thinking about flushing the system w/ a pressurized system from the master cylinder.

My question is do you need a special tool to flush the system by activating the actuator? How do you all flush your brake systems?

Regards,

yhc

Sneaks · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:55 pm Post subject:

Personally, I flush my brakes like I did on all my surge brake trailers. I remove the ball from the truck receiver and "hitch" it to the trailer. Then with an appropriate hose off the actuator "zerk" fitting going into a bottle with some brake fluid in it I crack the fitting open slightly while spouse or willing victim pushes down on the part that usually goes into my truck receiver. Then I close the fitting, victim raises the hitch attachment and we go through this little routine until no bubbles come out.

I also start with the actuator closest to the master cylinder and work my way to the furthest one.

Some folks buy little one-man bleed kits for about $7 but a neighbor only costs a couple of beers and Cheap shot warning unwitting nephews sometimes even supply the beer....

Don

tsturm · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 3:48 pm Post subject: Re: Flushing trailer brake fluids

Golerud · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 7:10 pm Post subject: flushing trailer brakes

You might check out www.championtrailers.com Check on the link to Technical Asistance and there are a lot of articles on trailer maintenance and repair including bleeding your brake system.

journey on · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 8:19 pm Post subject:

Let me back up tsturm who said (among other things: "1 wheel cylinder at a time, use a mighty vac to suck fluid out till clear! "

A Mighty Vac, which is cheap, is a small hand operated vacuum pump, designed to bleed brakes. It has it's own catch bottle. You no longer need a second person working the pedal or surge actuator, you just keep pumping until the brakes are bled or you need to fill the master cylinder. They remove all the hassle from brake bleeding, and are available at Harbour Freight. Comes with all the adapters.

I lost the first one I had, and my penance was to bleed a set of brakes the old way.

Boris

Adeline · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:12 am Post subject:

gljjr · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:43 am Post subject:

I use a pressure bleeder system on my brakes. It is very similar to this

Simply attach the adapter over the master cylinder cap, pump it up to 10 lbs or so then go about bleeding each brake. Releave the pressure on the bottle and top up the fluid. Works great every time. I purchased mine from NAPA for about $80 and it came with several different adapters for cars.