Trailer brakes install help

[cbig]

I want to install disk brakes to the trailer of our '90 26d. I found Sumner's link for a brake kit for $401 and our local trailer supply house has similar products at a higher price. How successful have you guys been at this? It looks like I need some skills to pull the existing axels out, weld on a square bracket with holes for the disk brakes to mount on, cut the front trailer coupler off and weld on the brake actuater. I have some questions:

1. How do you get the wheel spindle out of the square tube axel?
2. How do you ensure the square bracket thing is perfectly aligned when you weld it to the tube?
3. The new tongue with the brake actuator - should that be welded or bolted on? Don't want to cook the parts..
4. was the cheap kit successful? How long did it take?

Thanks,

Chuck

 

[Sumner]

I'll try and get you some pictures tonight,

Sum

 

[Sumner]

I want to install disk brakes to the trailer of our '90 26d. I found Sumner's link for a brake kit for $401 and our local trailer supply house has similar products at a higher price. How successful have you guys been at this? It looks like I need some skills to pull the existing axels out, weld on a square bracket with holes for the disk brakes to mount on, cut the front trailer coupler off and weld on the brake actuator. I have some questions:

1. How do you get the wheel spindle out of the square tube Axel?
2. How do you ensure the square bracket thing is perfectly aligned when you weld it to the tube?
3. The new tongue with the brake actuator - should that be welded or bolted on? Don't want to cook the parts..
4. was the cheap kit successful? How long did it take?

Thanks,

Chuck

Ok I got started and put up info on the coupler.....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/trailer-mods-8.html

The spindle doesn't come off. You pull the hub and then make/get a bracket like this.....

...or one with a square hole in the middle depending on how far it has to go onto your axle. I measured the stock one today and it looks like it would end up about where the spindle is welded to the square tubing.

Also make sure you have the right spindles for the disc brake hubs. They have to be stepped as the ID of the two hub bearings are different. Pull your hub and if that is the case If so you will be good to go.

Then put the disc hub on and position the bracket the right distance behind it by putting the calipers on the rotor and mounting the bracket that comes with the kit to the calipers and now you will know where the axle bracket goes. If you have any concerns here then take the axle off and to a welder along with the new hubs and have him do it.

As you can see above you will want to bolt the coupler/actuator on so it could be removed. MacGregor welded it to save assembly costs.

I have a lot more pictures to post when I have time and hopefully will have the trailer painted and back together by next week. I have a couple more hours of welding (changed the trailer a lot) and then I'll be painting.

c ya,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

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[cbig]

Sumner-
Thanks - so the spindle on there from the factory is alright? Also the kit you ordered I saw on one of your responses for $401 was ok? Parts matched up ok? It looks like if I get the parts out of my local shop I will have to pay an additional $100 or more. . plus CA tax. How bad did they hit you for shipping? Looks like the same parts..

 

[Sumner]

Sumner-
Thanks - so the spindle on there from the factory is alright? Also the kit you ordered I saw on one of your responses for $401 was ok? Parts matched up ok? It looks like if I get the parts out of my local shop I will have to pay an additional $100 or more. . plus CA tax. How bad did they hit you for shipping? Looks like the same parts..

If your spindle looks like this...

....you should be fine. You need the step in it as the ID of the bearings on the new hubs are two different sizes.

Here is a picture of the axle....

...I made. Notice where the bracket is in relation to the largest step that the inner seal rides on.

I put more pictures and info here....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/misc-pics-15.html

On the freight deal if you are talking about Black Bear (where I got mine) it looks like it was about $50. I didn't get a detailed invoice from them, or maybe I did and lost it :cry:. At the time the total was $417 for kit and shipping. I think the price had dipped down to about $370 when I ordered, plus shipping. As I mentioned before their prices seem to go both up and down almost weekly. I'd tell them that a friend paid $417 total a couple months ago and had recommended them and would they match that price. They shipped pretty fast.

The kit is good. Tie Down Engineering kits are sold by a lot of people.

Good luck,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

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[cbig]

Sumner - was the tie down engineering kit the one you used? You had a link for a $401 dollar kit. If it all worked out right for you I think I will go that way. Otherwise might be wise to use the local stuff for convenience... hate to get half way through something and need parts..

Thanks,

Chuck

 

[Sumner]

Sumner - was the tie down engineering kit the one you used? ....

Yes.....

http://www.blackbearsportinggoods.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ELLTIED82101&click=12

...it has everything needed, but you have to have the bracket on the axle. The kit doesn't have that bracket as it assumes your axle has it, which most do. It does come with the caliper bracket that will attach to the one on the axle,

Sum

Our Trips to Lake Powell, UT - Kootenay Lake, Canada - Priest Lake, ID

Our Mac Pages

Mac-Venture Links