How to Convert Trailer Drum Brakes Over to Disc Brakes

Updated 07/25/2024 | Published 03/18/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Kodiak Disc Brake Kit - 10" Hub/Rotor - 5 on 4-1/2 - Dacromet - 3,500 lbs

(87)

$505.25

Hydrastar Hydraulic Brake Line Kit - Tandem Axle - 25' Long, 3/16" Main Line

(34)

$264.42

Kodiak Disc Brake Kit - 10" Hub/Rotor - 5 on 4-1/2 - Dacromet - 3,500 lbs

(87)

$505.25

Question:

I read your expert answer here: https://www.etrailer.com/question-7777.html My trailer has a set of Tie Down 12 LH/RH 11018/11019 drum brakes with a Tie Down model 66 surge actuator. Boat and trailer GVWR is 5200lbs with 15x6 rims. At least one of the drums is leaking brake fluid. I have been told the least expensive way to repair this is replacing the brake assembly with the Dexter part numbers above. I would like to explore the option of converting to Disc Brakes. Dexter tells me I need an entire kit with a Disc Actuator 82406. Your expert answer suggests the is a locking valve I could remove from my drum actuator and re-use the actuator for disc brakes maybe Dexter 82092 brake kits. Can you please help me find a more cost effective way to cover to disc brakes on my boat trailer?

asked by: Ron P

Expert Reply:

There is a good way to get the check valve out of your current actuator and save some money. What you will need to do is remove the large snap ring from the front of your actuator where the brake line attaches, pull the spring out, and at the end of the spring there will be a metal check valve. If you remove that check valve and reassemble the brake assembly without it you will be ready to use disc brakes.

Or a less invasive way is to puncture the check valve, basically you would just run a skinny ice pick or other sharp rod down the back opening of the actuator and then puncture the check valve and you would be ready to go.

Check out the video I attached that shows how to remove the check valve that Jameson did here at etrailer.

From there you can use the Kodiak Disc Brake Kit part # K2HR35D for each axle and the HydraStar Hydraulic Brake Line Kit part # HS496-252 to get the fluid from the actuator back to the disc.

expert reply by: Randy B

Tim

7/25/2024

Randy, regarding converting a Drum Brake Actuator to Disc. You suggest a less intrusive way is puncturing the check valve. Can you expand upon that more and is does the id of the fitting that the brake line connects at the actuator need enlarged? I read somewhere that the ID of the fitting differs between the Disc and the Drum actuator. Do I simply remove the fitting for the brake line at the actuator and that push the "ice pick" in until it contacts something then feel for it to puncture, is this some sort of rubber seal inside? I just purchased a new Drun actuator and now the wheel cylinders are leaking a month later. I am done with the maintenance chores of drum and want to convert to disc as I did on my toyhauler but purchasing and new Disc Actuator is sort of out of the budget as I just bought the new Drum Actuator.