Disc Brake conversion

[yellow boy]

I am new to this forum and my question may be one that has been answered previously, if so I apologize.

I am purchasing a Grady White that will gross approx 5,000 lb. on the trailer,
I want to install ss Disc Brakes in place of the drum brakes. Is this a job I can do in my driveway or do I need to have this done at a commercial shop?

thx in advance,
yb

 

[180shabah]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

I am new to this forum and my question may be one that has been answered previously, if so I apologize.

I am purchasing a Grady White that will gross approx 5,000 lb. on the trailer,
I want to install ss Disc Brakes in place of the drum brakes. Is this a job I can do in my driveway or do I need to have this done at a commercial shop?

thx in advance,
yb

Easily done in a drive way.
Is there something wrong with the current brakes?
What brand/s are you considering? Several members here and on other boards have had issues with the tiedown disk brakes.

 

[Seon]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

Depending on your mechanical skills, it's relatively easy.
But you'll have to buy the disc brake actuator along with the disc brake assy. At this point, I'd also install new lines.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

But you'll have to buy the disc brake actuator along with the disc brake assy.

Very easy to modify the existing master cylinder so it can work with disk brakes. You basically puncture the residual valve since you don't need residual pressure on disk brakes.

Don't buy the tie downs. I went that route and have 4 sets of them sitting in my garage collecting dust. I went with the Kodiaks. I didn't go with the stainless but I wash mine thourougly after I dunk them. I have no corrosion issues.

 

[Black Snow Slide]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

I converted mine from drum to disk. Get a schematic of the actuator. I found the only difference between the actuator for the drum vs the disk is a little plastic washer. Took me 10 minutes to remove the plastic washer and reassemble. Saves a enough to fill the tank a few times. I cant remember the brand of disks I went with but I do remember some complaints of stainless steal warping issues. I have a fresh water rinse system on my trailer so wasn't really concerned with salt sitting for too long.

As for backing up I trashed my electric shut off when I put it in reverse. I had nothing but problems with it so I installed a t valve to turn off the fluid. Yes you need to get out to turn it but I never had a problem with it malfunctioning.

I added bearing buddies while I was at it and traded in my bias ply China made trailer tires for Radial Good Years. All balanced. Felt like how a trailer should feel.

My braking distance improved greatly. Driveability improved greatly. We have a 07 Monterey 250CR. Fully Fueled, gear and water I weigh in at 8k.

 

[wildspeed]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

easily done on the driveway...(as long as your bolts are not rusty as mine were.......)

Should be finish later on today.....

I did replace the springs and move the axle forward when I was at it.....

 

[180shabah]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

...for Radial Good Years...

Probably made in China too. Getting really hard to avoid these days.

 

[wildspeed]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

All done and ready to go.....

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

Looks good. Which brakes did you get?

 

[wildspeed]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

went with the KODIAK 10" S-CAD and TITAN 60 Lever Lock Disc Actuator w/Solenoid.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

went with the KODIAK 10" S-CAD and TITAN 60 Lever Lock Disc Actuator w/Solenoid.

The Kodiaks are great. I was going to get the s-cad but got such a killer deal on the e-cad that I weant with those. No corrosion issues at all but I wash the heck out of them when I get home. You should do the same if you go in salt water.

 

[livin4real]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

went with the KODIAK 10" S-CAD and TITAN 60 Lever Lock Disc Actuator w/Solenoid.

What did the setup end up costing you for everything? I've been wanting to do this to my tandem.

 

[wildspeed]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

475$ for a single axle

Brakes, coupler, lines and shipping

http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog.prodInfo&productID=6721

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

For just the brakes...$250.95 per axle

http://www.championtrailers.com/KODIAK UNITS.html

They have complete kits too that include brake lines.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

How heavy is your boat?
Seems like a rather small trailer for those leaf springs.

 

[wildspeed]

Re: Disc Brake conversion

How heavy is your boat?
Seems like a rather small trailer for those leaf springs.

those are the oem springs.

didn't have it on the scale yet , but over 3000lbs fueled and loaded.