Venture Trailer brake repair?

[Claxon]

Have a '98 Venture VRT-4600 that I'm getting ready to haul my boat with and it's been sitting for 5 years (like my boat). I inspected it this morning because I'm going to work on it over the weekend and the main thing wrong (I remembered this from the last time it moved..) is that I broke the small brake cable that goes to the hitch for emergency braking. It looks like it just attaches under a piece of metal, but I wanted to see if anyone else had changed this cable before and knew what was involved.

Also, my second discovery was that when I took the cap off of the brake fluid fill, rust was flaking off either side of the inner little tank, and was visable on the bottom as well (with hardly any fluid in there). What is the best way to approach setting this straight? Is the little tank that holds the fluid easily removeable / replacable?

[rwidman]

You should get the manual for the actuator (the thing that slides back and forth that the cable is attached to) to find out how to reattach the cable. It's probably a "Tie Down" brand and you can get the manual here:

http://www.tiedown.com/aactuator.html

As far as the "little tank" that is the master cylinder that pressurized the fluid to actuate the wheel cylinders or calipers depending on whether you have drum or disc brakes. If you have flakes of rust in the cylinder and fluid, the entire system should be drained, flushed, and bled. If your trailer has been sitting for five years there's a good possibility that you have other brake problems especially if you have drum brakes.

You may be a candidate for a complete new brake system by the time you add up the costs of repairs. I replaced my original brakes with this kit:



http://shop.easternmarine.com/index....2&categoryID=0

Someone will be along shortly to tell you how bad they are and insist that you need stainless steel Kodiak brand brakes but the ones pictured have worked well for me.

[Cracker]

Claxon,

Try these guys for any parts, great service and advice http://shop.easternmarine.com/

Personally, I would avoid Tie Down componenets. DO a search on the THT and make your own decision on what brand to use. Kodiak makes a scadium Disc set that are very reasonable in price and very saltwater resistant. Again, when I replaced my brakes eastern marine would help with any matter over the phone. Good Luck.

[Claxon]

Hmmm, the cost of a new coupler/actuator doesn't seem to be too steep... I guess my next question is if I can use the brakes I have already (barely used, but yeah, they've been sitting...) and put the new coupler on and be done with it? I can't think of a way to swap out the brakes themselves with the boat on the trailer.

How difficult & how many hrs to drain the brake lines, take off the old coupler, put on the new one, flush the lines, and fill it all back up and go?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm more of a fiberglass guy and haven't worked a whole lot on the trailer since it was new when I got it.

[rwidman]

Claxon - 7/3/2008 10:39 AM

Hmmm, the cost of a new coupler/actuator doesn't seem to be too steep... I guess my next question is if I can use the brakes I have already (barely used, but yeah, they've been sitting...) and put the new coupler on and be done with it? I can't think of a way to swap out the brakes themselves with the boat on the trailer.

How difficult & how many hrs to drain the brake lines, take off the old coupler, put on the new one, flush the lines, and fill it all back up and go?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm more of a fiberglass guy and haven't worked a whole lot on the trailer since it was new when I got it.

Well, you can do it with the boat on the trailer, I did and my boat weighs about 6,000 lb. You just need a couple of jacks and jack stands. It would have been easier without the boat but it can be done.

It shouldn't be hard to replace the actuator and flush the lines. You probably remove them at the wheel end so you don't get any rust into the cylinders or calipers. Time? A mechanic could do it in an hour or two. It will take langer for someone who doesn't do this kind of work on a regular basis.

[bluewaterpirate]

Here you go ........ watch the videos

http://albums.phanfare.com/4892322/2...ageID=32549255

http://albums.phanfare.com/4892322/2...ageID=32982178