Tie Down Eliminator Vented Disc Brakes - Manual (Page 4)

Should you feel the tow vehicle and trailer brakes are not working as they should,
have the tow vehicle and trailer inspected. Make sure your trailer’s Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVW) is within the tow vehicles capacity. If your trailer has multiple axles,
verify that the GVW of the trailer does not exceed the capacity of the brakes, which
is 3750 lbs on 10-inch (5 lug) brakes and 6000 lbs on 12-inch (6 lug) brakes, per axle.
Some states require brakes on all axles. Check with your state laws and the state laws of
where you will be using your trailer.
After long trips or downhill towing, your brakes could be very hot and it is a good idea
to let them cool down before submerging in cold water. The change in temperature of
very hot brakes submerged in water creates additional stress on the parts and could
cause damage to your brakes.
Pads must be replaced when the friction material is 3/32” or less. Original Tie
Down Engineering brake pads have a GalvX coated backing plate that aids in
corrosion resistance.
Use DOT 3 brake fluid only. DO NOT USE SILICONE BASED BRAKE FLUID.
When backing a trailer with disc brakes, you must have a lockout lever or preferably
an electrically operated solenoid to stop brake pressure to the disc brakes. The solenoid
is mounted at the rear of the actuator, between the master cylinder and brake line. It
has a wire connected to your back up lights to stop or redirect the fluid to keep the
brakes from operating.
Replace Brake Pads
1. Elevate the trailer using the manufacturers instructions. Always use jack stands
for support. Do not depend on a jack to support the trailer. Block wheels to keep
trailer from rolling.
2. Remove the tire/wheel assembly. Inspect the rotor surface. Check for excessive
wear or grooves that may affect braking. Original “Cap Style” rotor thickness
is .939” with a minimum thickness of .85” or 21.6 mm. Original “Integral”
rotor thickness is .75” with a minimum thickness of .67” or 17 mm.
3. Inspect brake pads. Minimum thickness is 3/32”. Pads should be replaced if
below this width.
4. Remove the caliper by unscrewing the slider pins from the mounting bracket. Be
careful to hold the caliper in place so that it does not fall and pull on the brake
hose. The inside pad is spring loaded in the caliper piston. Pry this pad out gently
with a flat blade screwdriver. The outside pad is held in place with two metal
tabs. Use a large pair of pliers to straighten the tabs to remove the outside pad.
5. Clean the rotor with a brake cleaning spray. Replace brake pads in reverse order.
The tabs should only be bent enough to hold the pad in place. Do not bend tab too
far or the pad will not seat correctly. Outside pad should be able to “wiggle” after
tab is bent.
6. Clean threads on slider bolts and mounting plate and apply a coating of Loctite®
or similar brand of thread lock. Tighten bolts to 40 ft. lbs. DO NOT REASSEMBLE
WITHOUT APPLYING LOCTITE® TO THE SLIDER PIN THREADS AND THE BACKING
PLATE. SLIDER PINS COULD BACK OUT AND CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO
YOUR BRAKES AND TRAILER.
Vented Rotor Disc Brakes, w/Aluminum Caliper