Master Cylinder replacement with trailer brakes

Posted By: SPWC

Master Cylinder replacement with trailer brakes - 09/10/09 03:40 PM

My 73 Dodge D200 has a master cylinder I might need to replace as I cant find a gasket for the lid. The port for the front brakes has a TEE for the brake line going to the trailer brakes that have been installed in the truck

Question I have is,if and when I do replace the master cylinder,will this tee play any part in bleeding the brakes once the master is installed?

Is there a difference in how brakes are bled when trailer brakes are installed?

Posted By: JohnRR

Re: Master Cylinder replacement with trailer brakes - 09/10/09 03:48 PM

huh ???

I have never see trailer brakes plumbed to the tow vehicle ???

Posted By: SPWC

Re: Master Cylinder replacement with trailer brakes - 09/10/09 04:01 PM

Call me crazy,but that sure is what it looks like to me. Take a look at these pictures,I got this truck from a friend,and it was this way when he got it. I have no knowledge about trailer brakes.

Here you can see the "TEE" and the lines coming off the master. One line goes off the tee back into the firewall/interior and hooks up to the back of the trailer brake unit under the dash.

Attached picture 5474159-002.JPG

Posted By: SPWC

Re: Master Cylinder replacement with trailer brakes - 09/10/09 04:03 PM

Here a view of the back of the trailer brake controller where the line coming through the firewall attaches to.Dont ask me...I know nothing about these things.

Attached picture 5474164-004.JPG

Posted By: RoadRunner

Re: Master Cylinder replacement with trailer brakes - 09/10/09 04:09 PM

Yep, that is on old brake controller unit. I would not reuse it. You can get a nice electric break controller from Tekonsha (I have the Prodigy) that has proportional brake signal and is very adjustable. I assume your trailer has electric brakes.

Posted By: GomangoCuda

Re: Master Cylinder replacement with trailer brakes - 09/10/09 04:19 PM

Quote:

Yep, that is on old brake controller unit. I would not reuse it. You can get a nice electric break controller from Tekonsha (I have the Prodigy) that has proportional brake signal and is very adjustable. I assume your trailer has electric brakes.

X2
I would also recommend changing over to a Prodigy. Best controller I have used.

Posted By: SPWC

Re: Master Cylinder replacement with trailer brakes - 09/10/09 04:25 PM

I dont own a trailer,and am not sure if I would ever use this truck to tow. So basically this brajke controller is a mechanical/hydraulic unit,where the modern ones are electric?

So IF I decide to keep the trailer brakes as they are,will this play any part in replacing the master cylinder and bleeding the brakes? Anything additional I have to do because of the brake controller concerning bleeding of the brakes?

Posted By: WILD BILL

Re: Master Cylinder replacement with trailer brakes - 09/10/09 04:52 PM

Does that controller have a bleeder and if so does it open? If you open the lines at the master the system will need to be bleed.

If yes then you can leave it and just bleed it alnog with everything else.

If the answer to either is no then I would recomend removing it, and the T fitting and returning the brakes to their as factory plumbing.

Posted By: Crizila

Re: Master Cylinder replacement with trailer brakes - 09/10/09 07:41 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Yep, that is on old brake controller unit. I would not reuse it. You can get a nice electric break controller from Tekonsha (I have the Prodigy) that has proportional brake signal and is very adjustable. I assume your trailer has electric brakes.

X2
I would also recommend changing over to a Prodigy. Best controller I have used.

X3 best one on the market for the $. Hydraulic pressure as a trailer brake sensor technology went away in the 80's - and a good thing it did!

Posted By: nomore65BelvJim

Re: Master Cylinder replacement with trailer brakes - 09/10/09 08:07 PM

Chris if your going to replace the master I would remove the "T". Leaving it in will be more trouble than its worth. Pull the rest of the controller stuff if you want to but be sure to disconnect the electrical to/from it at least.