Bleeding Trailer Brakes After Installing Kodiak 225 Disc Brake Calipers

Updated 02/12/2025 | Published 09/21/2015

Question:

I purchased a pair of kodiak 225 trailer brakes - each caliper has 2 bleeder valves. I have tried, but cant get the brakes to bleed - is there something i am missing? Titan 60 actuator...

asked by: Tony

Expert Reply:

When you bleed the brakes on your trailer after installing the Kodiak Calipers # KDBC225DAC, you will want to start with the brake that is furthest away from the actuator. Of the two bleeder valves, you will want to use the bleeder valve that is on the top. If you are manually bleeding the brakes, it is easiest to use a clear jar to collect the brake fluid in so it is easier to see when there are no more bubbles in the fluid.

Be sure to open the top bleeder valve when you are bleeding the breaks. If the brake calipers have a 2 piece bleeder, you will want to ensure that the upper fitting is loosened to bleed the system. I have attached a photo showing the two piece bleeder. Additionally, you will want to make sure you do not drain the reservoir of brake fluid at the actuator.

I have attached a video showing the process of how to bleed hydraulic brakes. I also attached a disc brake kit installation video that addresses bleeding the brakes at the 3:00 mark.

If you have taken these steps and are unable to bleed the breaks, I recommend checking the other brake assemblies to see if there is a potential block in one of the break lines. If none of the break assemblies will bleed, the break lines can be detached at each of the fittings on the break assemblies. With the lines detached from the fittings, attempt to bleed the breaks. This will help us determine if there is a blockage in any of the lines leading to the break assemblies.

If bleeding the breaks while detached from the fittings doesn't work, try removing the break line from the back of the master cylinder. With the break line removed from the master cylinder, try bleeding the breaks to make sure that the master cylinder bleeds properly.

expert reply by: Victoria B

click to enlarge

Roy

2/12/2025

Victoria, I just finished installing the Kodiak 225 kit on my 2006 Triton 190FS and feel like a dunce after reading your excellent reply to Tony. I had no idea the bleeder valves came in two pieces! I bled both calipers using the larger diameter nut and letting the fluid come out around the threads. The only good I can think of from this dumb mistake of mine is that it forced me to take both bleeder valves completely out - there was teflon tape on the bottom of each!! I don't think any tape got into the orifices, but it was disconcerting to even see it there. I confirmed the bleed job by using a ratchet strap to depress the actuator and release it a few times while the trailer was on jack stands, but now that I know how to use the bleeder valves correctly from you writeup and clear picture, I'll go back and check the bleed procedure when I get a chance to do so. Another observation for anyone using the UFP A60 actuator with this setup is that the reservoir for the master cylinder only holds about 1.5 ounces (or 40 ml) of brake fluid. Since I haven't done this very often, I didn't know what to expect in terms of volume of fluid. Now I know as little as 5 ounces can give a single axle brake system a flush - that's refilling the reservoir 3 times. I probably ran 10 to 15 ounces through it. Thank you.