Can a Disc Brake Master Cylinder be Used with Drum Brakes on a Trailer

Updated 08/11/2020 | Published 08/14/2013

Products Featured in This Question

Replacement Master Cylinder for Dexter Model 10 and 20 Actuators - Disc Brakes

(67)

$141.95

Replacement Master Cylinder and Push Rod Assembly for Drum Brakes - Model 10 and 20 Actuators

(74)

$165.36

Question:

I bought Master Cylinder for Titan Actuators - Disc Brakes part # T4747100 , but my trailler has drum brakes cylinder #DX66FR.Can i install disk brakes cylinder ? If not , what is different between part# T4747100 and #DX66FR...Thanks !

asked by: Viesturs

Expert Reply:

You would not want to use a disc brake master cylinder with drum brakes because the psi rating is much higher for disc brakes. Using it on drum brakes can lead to damage to the wheel cylinders and very aggressive braking.

The master cylinder for the drum brakes is # DX66FR. Drum brake master cylinders have a check valve on the inside that regulates the psi going through the brake lines. This is not something that you can add to the disc brake master cylinder. You would either have to get the correct master cylinder or switch to disc brakes. The easiest solution, and the most cost effective, would be just to get the correct master cylinder # DX66FR.

expert reply by: Michael H

Howard B.

8/2/2020

I have front wheel Disc & rear wheel drum what master cylinder do I order?

Chris R.

8/11/2020

Ideally you really should have the same style on each axle, whether you decide to go all drum or all disc, but if you really want to keep your existing setup your best option would be a master cylinder or actuator for drum brakes. It likely won't provide quite enough power for the disc brakes to perform optimally, but otherwise a disc brake master cylinder could blow out the drum brakes because of the excess pressure.