Do Brake Lines Need To Be Bled After Removing The Line From The Actuator

Published 09/13/2023

Products Featured in This Question

Dexter DX7.5 Drop-N-Go Brake Actuator - Disc Brakes - 2" Ball - Zinc Plated - 7,500 lbs

(93)

$382.94

Kodiak Hydraulic Brake Hose - 3/16" Male Fittings w/ Stainless Flares - 1/8" ID - 1.5'

(197)

$35.82

Kodiak Union Fitting for Hydraulic Brake Hose - Brass - 3/16" Female Inverted Flares

(80)

$17.28

Question:

I have a Dexter DX7.5 coupler on my Hustler 25 tri-toon trailer. Im very tight on winter storage and can gain about 18 if I unbolt the coupler from the tongue. The only thing I see as a possible problem is the rigid brake line. Will this bend upwards when I unbolt the coupler or should I disconnect it. If so, do you have reconnect/bleed instructions to insure that I have restored the brakes to be fully operational? Thanks,

asked by: Tom H

Helpful Expert Reply:

If you have a hardline connecting to the actuator then you would not want to bend it back and forth since that will weaken it and end up breaking the line. Removing the line from the actuator will introduce air back into the line so you would need to bleed the lines every time you disconnect the line. I've attached a help article below that will walk you through the steps of bleeding the brake lines.

If your frame has enough space you could cut the hard line back a bit and use a flexible line like # bh-3mfs-1-5 and a union # BH-C-3FIF to have enough flexibility to remove the coupler and flip it back up into the frame for more clearance.

expert reply by: Kevin C