Trucks & Trailers - Puzzling Kodiak/Tie Down Brake issue

Ok so some research revealed that Tie Down pads (81149) will fit Kodiak 225 calipers. I order them online and vendor confirms that these pads will fit Kodiak 225 calipers.

Get em in and drive 300 miles to the boat, Bummer-somewhat close in size but absolutely will not fit.

I called Tie Down Tech dept. and am told, "our pads fit no other brake system but Tie Down. We realize that some online vendors advertise that they will fit KODIAK, but they are wrong and as you found out this information is incorrect." WTF?

Called trailer store where I ordered them and was issued Return Authorization after explaining situation. Return is nice but doesn't get me out of the pickle. I want to use the boat and it aint exactly in my back yard. Vendor was shocked as this is the first instance out of hundreds of sales where this pad didn't fit Kodiak 225.

So I have the week off, I was trying to do some fishing and now over a friggin Holiday week, out in the middle of no where, I have no friggin brakes. :banghead:

I suppose I will break down and purchase the POS steel backed pads I had on it originally that failed (rusted up and locked my rotor). I know I can get these from the local NAPA and maybe save the day/week but I don't get what happened here and hate putting these back on it.

The only reasonable explanation I can think of is that they put the wrong pads in the box I received or I have some prototype Kodiak system that they wont work on? The Kodiak calipers clearly say 225 on em.

Order stainless pads from Kodiak next time? ;?

Ahhh OK Curmudgeon the purpose of buying the Tie Downs in the first place is that Kodiak doesn't sell stainless backed pads...

Do you have a secret link or am I missing something?

I haven't seen stainless backing on Kodiak pads. Everyone has the problem of the paint wearing away and rust. Note; the old Kodiak pads didn't rust like the new ones. Anyway, I just put a generous layer of bearing grease on the metal backing. Each year when I service my bearings/brakes, I clean off the metal and apply another coat of grease.

Got pic's of what you got from Tie Down?

http://www.thehulltruth.com/trucks-trailers/365317-i-just-replaced-my-kodiak-pads-after-5-seasons-here-how-they-looked.html

and

http://www.thehulltruth.com/trucks-trailers/375609-ss-tie-down-brake-pads.html

I have a 225 Dacromet rotor in my hands with the Tie Down pads installed. It looks like the clip on the outer pad is wider then when I fit them together before but they do still go together when you bend the clip in. Both Kodiak and TieDown list their calipers as using a 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier pads for a replacement so they should be the same.

1990 cavalier or GM D289 pads are correct.



With modification the Tiedown pads "may" fit, however just because something can be modified to fit does it make it correct or safe.

The original outboard side pads have NO spring and use extra long ears that fit thru the caliper holes under tension to keep the pad aligned and flat. The Tiedowns have a spring that pushes the pad away from the caliper and extra short ears that do not friction hold the pad into the caliper holes.

The springs on the inboard pads have to be bent out quite a bit to keep them retained in the piston.

Tie Down calipers may very well be engineered to fit these pads "in compression" but bending spring clips and otherwise modifying these pads to fit Kodiak calipers is questionable at best. Clearly Kodiak calipers were not designed to have any outboard pad springs and bending Tiedown pad retainers to slide thru the cutout in the Kodiaks is not something i'm completely comfortable with.

Here are the pics...

From left to right...

New steel backed (Auto parts special) pads, old steel pads that were removed, new Tiedown pads.

Here is a photo courtesy of Kevin Desselle that apparently show the Tiedown outboard spring retainer modified to fit Kodiak?

Kodiak does in fact produce a ss 225 brake pad.

Does Kodiak really make pads with a stainless steel backing?
Their website doesn't have them.
http://kodiaktrailer.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?osCsid=242952508dc8b132 734f7dd40b557a60&keywords=pads&osCsid=242952508dc8b132734f7dd40b557a60&x=22&y=11
I'd like to get a set if available.

So far two people have made the statement that Kodiak makes stainless backed pads. Convential wisdom, basic research and Kodiak's own website do not bear that out. If you have a link post it.

Saying "you should have bought stainless pads from Kodiak or Kodiak does in fact make SS brake pads is just useless chatter without citing a source or link." :bashhh:

Aa far as I can see Kodiak makes stainless steel rotors and stainless steel calipers not stainless steel backed pads.

Do you know the difference between pads, a rotor and a caliper?

We are talking about Kodiak brake PADS!

So far two people have made the statement that Kodiak makes stainless backed pads. Convential wisdom, basic research and Kodiak's own website do not bear that out. If you have a link post it.

Saying "you should have bought stainless pads from Kodiak or Kodiak does in fact make SS brake pads is just useless chatter without citing a source or link." :bashhh:

Aa far as I can see Kodiak makes stainless steel rotors and stainless steel calipers not stainless steel backed pads.

Do you know the difference between pads, a rotor and a caliper?

We are talking about Kodiak brake PADS!

Again, Kodiak does produce STAINLESS PADS. Try giving them a call directly and put all this useless chatter to rest. Start here: 817-284-5141

Sorry for being snappy...pretty frustrated with a deteriorating situation. After popping the wheel on the other side, I have much bigger problems...cracked rotor. FUHHHGG. I will post up some pics (its bad) and will be calling them about the rotor and will also check on the SS pads as well. Thanks!

I spoke to Cameron at Kodiak yesterday and he confirmed that they have stainless steel backed pads. They cost $56 for a set for the 225 caliper and can be ordered directly from Kodiak.

I spoke to Cameron at Kodiak yesterday and he confirmed that they have stainless steel backed pads. They cost $56 for a set for the 225 caliper and can be ordered directly from Kodiak.

If true, this is GREAT news as when my 2nd set of pad-backings goes bad/rusts/corrodes, I can spend the $200+ for my 4 sets of pads I'll be needing.

Why they don't update their website and get the word out that they do indeed have S/S backing plates for their brake pads is beyond me.

If true, this is GREAT news as when my 2nd set of pad-backings goes bad/rusts/corrodes, I can spend the $200+ for my 4 sets of pads I'll be needing.

Why they don't update their website and get the word out that they do indeed have S/S backing plates for their brake pads is beyond me.

I think a set covers one axle. You have four axles? Kinda silly selling a brake pad for just one wheel right:thumbsup:

We are talking about Kodiak brake PADS!

Uh, yes, a couple of us are, too. Yahoo! Search is a wonderful tool ...

http://www.trailerandtruckparts.com/KODIAK-10-in--12-in-Disc-Brake-Caliper-Pads-Ceramic-_p_639.html#.UBbF7Zg_-uJ

We are talking about Kodiak brake PADS!

Uh, yes, a couple of us are, too. Yahoo! Search is a wonderful tool ...

http://www.trailerandtruckparts.com/KODIAK-10-in--12-in-Disc-Brake-Caliper-Pads-Ceramic-_p_639.html#.UBbF7Zg_-uJ


Those look to be the same, crappy red brake pads that end up corroding in 5-6 years.

If only Kodiak would put up a page with their very own stainless steel backed brake pads, there would be no more question about what is what and about trying to make Tie Down pads fit Kodiak calipers.

Kodiak has updated their website with the stainless backed pads.

http://kodiaktrailer.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=220&osCsid=c0e1eecbcf2665ca445595e470c12318

http://www.easternmarine.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/5/1561031_sm.jpg (http://www.easternmarine.com/kodiak-brake-pads-dbc225cermpadss) KODIAK 10"-12" Disc Ceramic Pads w/SS Back, #DBC-225-CERM-PAD-SS (http://www.easternmarine.com/kodiak-brake-pads-dbc225cermpadss)

Stock# 1561031
KODIAK #DBC-225-CERM-PAD-SS Ceramic disc brake pads with Stainless Steel backing. Fits 3500-6000 lb. axles, Kodiak 10" and 12" disc brake assemblies with DBC-225 caliper. Includes (4) pads to repair two calipers.

$47.95


http://www.easternmarine.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/5/1561032_sm.jpg (http://www.easternmarine.com/kodiak-brake-pads-dbc250cermpadss) KODIAK 7k-8k Disc Ceramic Pads w/SS Back, #DBC-250-CERM-PAD-SS (http://www.easternmarine.com/kodiak-brake-pads-dbc250cermpadss)

Stock# 1561032
KODIAK #DBC-250-CERM-PAD-SS Ceramic disc brake pads with Stainless Steel backing. Fits 7000-8000 lb. Axles, Kodiak 13" Disc Brake Assemblies with DBC-250 caliper. Includes (4) pads to repair two calipers.

$49.95

Picked up 4 sets of DBC-225-CERM-PAD-SS from SturdyBuilt trailers (~$55.00 per axle) and rebuilt the brakes on both axles this past week.

Question: After you install the outside pad (not the one that the piston presses against), are you supposed to bend the little tabs over or leave them straight?

I hope the longevity of the Ceramic / Stainless pads is better than the pads that came with.

Will continue to rinse the brakes off with Salt-Away after I launch / recover the boat.

Yes the taps on the ends of the outside pads are bent over after installing.

http://www.easternmarine.com/kodiak-brake-pads-dbc225cermpadss
http://www.easternmarine.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/5/1561031_lg.jpg


CAB