We’re speaking DIY brakes. Why? As a result of massive caravans want higher tow-vehicle brakes. Right here’s the right way to improve your brakes with a day on the instruments for safer towing.
Make no mistake about it, the issues we ask our tow-tugs to do are far past the creativeness of the engineers who design them. Certain, on paper, the autos themselves can deal with 3500kg on the tow ball, however there’s no such factor as a free lunch. With a caravan on the again, your satisfaction and pleasure gained’t cease or go anyplace close to pretty much as good because it does unladen. And stopping? Neglect about it.
In a really perfect world, the camper or caravan brakes will probably be caring for the load again there whereas your tow-tug is simply worrying about itself, however issues aren’t at all times good. Lengthy descents, emergency braking conditions, and even only a brake controller a few notches too tame can all imply that your tow-tug brakes are carrying greater than their justifiable share. One thing you gained’t discover till they’re purple scorching midway down a protracted grade.
The undertaking – an previous 80 Collection ‘Cruiser
We just lately acquired an previous 80 Collection ‘Cruiser with plans of lengthy weekends on the boat ramp and longer weekends within the bush with a camper and it turned manifestly apparent the manufacturing unit brakes weren’t as much as scratch – together with the manufacturing unit engine, transmission, seats, and suspension – however we digress. So we figured earlier than we wind the jockey wheel down on the tow-ball, we must always set about rectifying that.
We checked out a couple of totally different choices for extra stopping energy however finally determined the Final 4WD Brake Improve Equipment from Bendix could be one of the best bang for buck for this DIY brakes undertaking. Coming in an entire equipment, it’d have the whole lot we wanted from rotors and pads via to brake strains and fluid. The case changing into an esky afterwards was exhausting to argue with too. Right here’s how we did it.
Step 1. Make sure you’ve received the whole lot – together with the talents
On the DIY scale of 1-10 for problem, a brake alternative is someplace across the 6 or 7 vary for a couple of good causes. The precise course of is fairly easy. The elements are usually like for like, so in the event you’re helpful on the spanner roll and are assured you possibly can change some shocks, you’ll be able to most likely change your brakes. For those who’re not assured, finest go away it to the professionals.
It’s value mentioning although, that your tow-tug will probably be correctly out of motion as soon as you start. There’s no ducking all the way down to the components retailer to get fluid in the event you realise you ran quick. You’ll be able to piece collectively a equipment your self, however we discovered the Bendix providing made life easy figuring out it was all in there.
Step 2. Work out what you’re doing
Whether or not you’ve received a 300 Collection or an 80 Collection, issues like brake strains, pads, and fluid are all going to be fairly just like swap over on a DIY brake improve. Nevertheless, there may be refined variations that will catch you out. On our ‘Cruiser, the rotor itself is put in on the again of the hub. Because of this, we wanted to utterly strip down the wheel hubs, bearings and all, to have the ability to change the rotor. Different rotors are merely held on by the wheel. It’s essential to know precisely what you might want to do beforehand so you’ll be able to have the precise instruments and components available earlier than you get midway via the job.Â
Step 3. Set up the rotors
With the hubs stripped down, we had been in a position to take away the bolts holding the previous rotor on, bash it off, set up the brand new rotors on and cinch them down. This can be a good time to interrupt out a can of brake cleaner (included within the equipment) and provides the whole lot an intensive clear. Eliminate any constructed up rust flakes, grease, or normal highway grime.
There are faculties of thought with the whole lot from grease to Loctite for the rotor bolts, however we’ve at all times discovered luck with a dab of anti-seize and torquing to spec. You’ll be able to see the Bendix discs are vented like inventory, but in addition embody dimpling and cross-slotting. This not solely lets the disc shed off warmth extra effectively but in addition removes brake mud and gases from the floor of the pad. That’s a elaborate means of claiming your tow-tug will cease higher for longer.
Step 4. Get to work on the calipers
There’s an entire lot of science relating to brake pad composition, the producer looking for the steadiness between noise, put on, outright braking efficiency and efficiency beneath load, at excessive warmth, low temperatures, and never mincing the rotors within the course of. All issues which might be essential in bringing your tow-tug and ‘van to a easy managed cease over and over.
The Final pads ticked all these bins, and got here within the equipment, in order that was a little bit of a no brainer for a DIY brake improve and set up. The pads are pushed in by pistons on each side. Because the pad materials wears away, the pistons get nearer and nearer collectively, and the brand new pads merely gained’t match. We gave the calipers a scrub to get years of grime off them, used a piston separator to make slightly house, and inspected the rubber boots on the pistons whereas we had been there.
Step 5. Begin placing issues again collectively
With the previous elements nicely and actually within the bin, it’s time to begin re-assembling issues and on the lookout for the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel. With the pistons nonetheless unfold large open, re-install the brake calipers, making certain the bleed nipple is up the highest. A dab of anti-seize right here on the mounting bolts will make this a better job subsequent time and guarantee you will get the bolts torqued to spec as nicely. However maintain it away from all of the brake {hardware}.
There’ll be slightly brake lube within the field you’ll be able to placed on the slide pins to maintain them shifting. Give the rotors a as soon as over with the included wipes to take away any contaminants which have discovered their means in, then pop the pads in, any locking {hardware}, and transfer on to the following step.
Step 6. Set up the brand new strains
From manufacturing unit, your tow-tug would have include versatile rubber brake strains connecting the exhausting strains in your chassis/diffs to the calipers. Over time, and with publicity to harsh circumstances, these can dry out, crack, and begin perishing. Whereas finally, they’ll fail and go away you brakeless, they’ll additionally trigger points nicely earlier than that too.
If you apply your foot to the brake, some quantity of pressure is absorbed by the strains bodily swelling. The braided brake strains within the equipment will not be solely 30 years youthful than what we’re swapping out, however gained’t have that swell both, that means extra pressure utilized to the brakes themselves and a greater pedal really feel. Swapping the brake strains in is an easy DIY course of. A brake line spanner and a pair of pliers are all you’ll have to take away the previous models and set up the brand new ones.
Step 7. Bleed the brakes
The equipment we received from Bendix got here full with a couple of bottles of their brake fluid, however you’ll want to choose up some clear tube and a set of brake line spanners as nicely. With a spanner on the bleed nipple and the tube slipped on the tip, get your partner-in-crime to sit down behind the tiller and pump the brake pedal 5-6 instances, then maintain it flat. Crack the bleed nipple, and a mix of air/gunk/previous fluid will come sputtering out. When it stops, lock the bleed nipple off once more and repeat the method till it’s nothing however recent, clear fluid coming via with no air bubbles. You’ll want to begin on the level furthest from the brake grasp cylinder and work your means nearer, making certain you retain topping up the grasp cylinder with recent fluid as you go. If it runs out, you’ll have to begin the method once more.Â
Step 8. Benefit from the fruits of your labour
For those who’ve made it this far with out calling in a mechanic, congratulations. A brake improve is one thing that each single tow-vehicle will profit from. Whether or not it’s the instantly improved chunk once you push the cease pedal, or the higher means to combat off warmth and the next brake fade you’ll get on lengthy steep descents, your towing will probably be higher off for it. All that’s left is to mattress within the brakes. There’s a number of faculties of thought on the right way to do it however we reckon hitching up the camper or caravan and heading bush would possibly simply be the right two-for-one.
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