Do I need a new actuator?

[John361v]

I have 2000 Ranger Trailer, I'm getting full travel on the tounge when I stop and go. Could this be the actuator or something else? I have seen some fluid around the fill cap but none on the ground or anywhere else. Is there a rebuild kit for this or is it a total replace and, do I need to get the parts from Ranger? What is the cost? Thanks for any info

[frogbite]

It could be the actuator and not sure about a rebuild but they are not terribly expensive. I have the same symptoms but turned out to be a leak in one of the brake lines and did not know until lowered the tongue all the way down and fluid came out of the trailer frame.

Oh, thought to edit this to mention that in my case the master cylinder was empty so if you have fluid, you may be looking at a bad actuator and not a leak like in my case.


Modified by frogbite at 8:20 PM 3/22/2012

[John361v]

Thanks, It is full of fluid.

[frogbite]

John,

There is a procedure for bleeding air out of the master cylinder. I would try that and see if it helps. Check out the procedure in http://ufpnet.com/Portals/0/PDFs/CouplerMaint.PDF if it is a UFP system. You can disconnect the line under the tongue and pump the actuator to see if fluid is pumped. After doing this you will most likely need to bleed the system. You could also try and bleeding at one of the calipers or wheel cylinders (depending if you have disks or drums).

[taeheel2az]

Are the brakes failing to work?

[CatFan]

If it's drum brakes, it could simply be that the brakes need adjusting. The extra travel as the shoes wear causes long actuator travel and a thunk when you take off.