Cleaning brake line internals?

[thumpar]

When I go my trailer the brakes weren't working. The previous owner only used the trailer to launch and retrieve once a year so he didn't fix it. I decided to replace the actuator and have new drum brake plates that are complete units. Before I hook everything up I would like to clean out the inside of the brake lines. Is there a product that would work for that or should I just run brake fluid throw the lines? This is a tandem axle trailer with brakes on all 4 wheels.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Cleaning brake line internals?

Just regular DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid and flush them out. Some people have used alcohol but I would not want droplets of anything mixing with clean fluid.

Chances are the wheel cylinders need to be cleaned too.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Cleaning brake line internals?

If they actually NEED cleaned, remove the brake lines.... carefully roll them into coils exactly 1' in diameter.... put them gently into a garbage can and weigh em down with the kitchen trash... THEN pick up a coil of new line for $25 or so at the local auto parts store along with a handful of fittings and a double flaring tool..... Install the new lines and KNOW that you don't have trash in the system AND that the lines aren't rusted out inside the frame and just about to blow on you.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Cleaning brake line internals?

With new actuator and loaded backing plates - Following SOTW's advice is spot on. Coiling the line into exactly 1" coils will probably break at the weak places. You might examine the flexible hoses too, they dry rot just like tires.

 

[thumpar]

I ended up replacing the line from the front of the trailer to the back where is splits off. All the other lines where still in great shape. The rubber in the back was good too but I replaced the section in the front. Just an FYI, the Harbor Freight flaring tool doesn't work. I had a local shop do it for 2 buck each flare.

 

[Thalasso]

Did you use the Harbor Freight vacum bleeder? I don't know if you have ever used a flaring tool, but there is a learning curve.

 

[thumpar]

I do have the Harbor Freight bleeder but haven't gotten that far yet. The problem with the flaring tool is that the part that holds the line can't get a good grip on the 3/16" tube and the tool just pushes it through instead of flaring.

 

[agallant80]

I could not get the HF bleed kit to work. What I did worked great.

1. Get an extra cap and drill a small hole in it (1/8)
2. Put cap on master cylinder
3. Open up a break bleader valve and put a pan under it
4. Shoot compressed air slowly through hole in cap with the below item

http://www.lowes.com/pd_336418-4712...L=?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

It took me about all of 5 min to compleatly replace all of the fluid in my lines and it stops great!

 

[bruceb58]

The suction bleeders like mityvac pretty much suck. The threads of the bleeder always seem to leak at least when I tried them.

Best way I have found is a pressure bleeder like a Motive. For my one trailer that still has surge, I bought a cap for the Motive that threads into the trailer master cylinder.

 

[smokeonthewater]

I have a hf vacuum bleeder that has a 2 quart reservoir and hooks to my air compressor to creat vacuum..... I simply remove the bleeder screws and bleed directly on the cylinder or caliper and then reinstall the bleeder. Works great

 

[bruceb58]

I have a hf vacuum bleeder that has a 2 quart reservoir and hooks to my air compressor to creat vacuum..... I simply remove the bleeder screws and bleed directly on the cylinder or caliper and then reinstall the bleeder. Works great

I have that too but I don't use it for bleeding brakes. It is perfect for sucking oil out of power steering reservoirs and brake master cylinders though.

 

[2kvert]

Where do you by complete drum brake plates?

 

[thumpar]

Where do you by complete drum brake plates?

From VM boat trailers. That is the maker of my trailer.

 

[thumpar]

So the Harbor Freight vacuum tool is a POS too. I ended up using vise grips to manually pump the master cylinder to bleed the brakes.