Bleeding surge brakes

[danond]

I have a Shorland'r that I picked up and the previous owner didn't know the brakes needed fluid. Never checked it, now they're empty. I'm aware there might be a leak or the cap might be bad, but I'm curious as to how I'm going to bleed these suckers when I don't have a "brake pedal" to push.

How have you guys done this? Hook to the car, drive forward and stop?

[Bond-o]

How have you guys done this? Hook to the car, drive forward and stop?

Ayuh,..... Close, But not quite....

Hook it up to your tow unit, Block the trailer wheels, both front,+ rear,...
Make sure the resv. is Full,....
Then back up a few inches against the blocks,... Set the tow unit brake, get out,+ release the Bleed Screw, tighten it,...
Then roll forward the few inches,....
Repeat as necessary.....

[dingbat]

It depends on the coupler. Some have a slot where you can stick a screw driver to actuate the coupler. Otherwise I just use the drawbar. It doesn't take much pressure on the coupler once you break the bleed screw open.

[mikeneal]

I have used a hand vacuum bleeder and another option I have used is a piece of 2x4 tied to the trailer jack post, use it like a lever arm to actuate the coupler. Works pretty well, like above poster said, once the bleeder is open does not require much force. That being said, if it is empty it has a leak, but you gotta fill it and start to bleed it to find it.

[danond]

Ok that all makes sense. I noticed the cap does leak, I'll have to see if I can find a replacement. Threads are screwed up, it doesn't even tighten.

Thanks guys.

[Boatist]

Before I took a lot of time looking for caps and other parts put some fluid in and loosen the blead valve. Now use a 1/2 inch long socket handle, tire iron or receiver and see if you can pump any fluid thru the system at all.

It has been my experence that if the system is dry with no fluid then everything will be rusted and likely never work again. The coupler, brake cylinder all likely froze up. If you can pump some fluid thru it and see the brake actuators work then worry about getting caps and the rest.

You could very likely need to replace the coupler and at least the wheel cylinders. Price is not too bad to replace everything depending on what you buy.