Trailer Bucking when applying brakes

[MR 188 Elite]

When I apply the brakes I notice the truck & trailer feel like it's bucking especially when slowing between 30 & 20 mph. I took the trailer into a shop about a month ago because I noticed a brake line had broke going to the left wheel. At the same time I had the oil filled bearings replaced and refilled, and a rotor turned. When I got it home I noticed it was leaking brake fluid up front at the actuator. I called and they asked I bring it back in. They said the Master cylinder was leaking and needed to be replaced. Got that done, brought it home and it's leaking again up front by the actuator. Called again and said they may have over filled as it did appear to be leaking out around the cap. So I removed some of the fluid. Well, now it doesn't appear to be leaking, but it bucks hard when the brakes are applied. Now they telling me the dampening shock could be getting weak and they want $44, plus shipping and labor to tear down again, and for the third time charge to bleed the brakes. Anybody have had this experience to tell me whether or not I'm being taken for a ride?

[rangerguy]

Don't know what you mean by bucking, but the shock will cause the trailer to make a clunking noise and you will feel it in the cab of your tow vehicle when stopping and starting at a stop sign or light.

[MR 188 Elite]

Now that you mention it, I used to feel that clunking when I started or stopped, but haven't since the trailer has been worked on. It feels like it's grabbing then releasing over & over. Almost like it's surging.

[marshall256]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MR 188 Elite &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> It feels like it's grabbing then releasing over & over. Almost like it's surging. </TD></TR></TABLE>


Like a warped Rotor would feel?

[cjbrown]

Not trying to be funny, but sounds like abs brakes.

[LookOutForShoals]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cjbrown &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not trying to be funny, but sounds like abs brakes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think I know what your talking about but have no idea how to help.

Whenever I pull my boat out of the water until the drums get dry my trailer will buck like crazy when coming to a stop. when I slow down the trailer surges forward the brakes lock up and yank it back till they release then it starts all over again.....it sounds awful....lol

[MR 188 Elite]

That's what it feels like. It feels like the brakes are grabbing then releasing. It's especially noticeable when slowing down between 30 & 20. The guy told me it's the actuator. It supposedly regulates the braking pressure. A $44 part, but said he would have to break it down and re-bleed the brakes, for the 3rd time, to replace it. I'm sure the labor will exceed the cost of the part. He did turn one of the rotors on the first trip. Thanks for the sadvice.

[rangerguy]

Your problem sure sounds like warped rotors or a sticking brake caliper. Not a shock problem, your mechanic is trying to cover up his mistake he made on your earlier visits.

[Lyn O. Dyer]

Read page 17 here......http://ufpnet.com/Portals/0/PDFs/A-6...nce.pdf.....it may have your answer...

[MR 188 Elite]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to print this off and save it. I towed the trailer to the lake over the weekend and coming back home I noticed the "chucking" stopped and it came to a stop smoothly. Don't know what to think now. Either the actuator is going bad and it worked OK on this trip, or like the mechanic stated the first time that I mentioned this to him, that the brakes may need to reseat themselves after turning the rotor. Guess I'll wait and see what happens the next time out. Thanks again gang.

[92petejj1]

Get a new mechanic you could have replaced everything yourself Sounds like it had air in the lines after you changed master cyl

[201pro]

+1
He did not get all of the air out of the lines when he bled them...