View Full Version : Disc brake conversion on an EZ Loader
ICHTHYDEMON
11-05-2007, 07:12 AM
I have a 2006 EZ Loader under my Seahawk. The factory drum brakes are trashed and I'm thinking discs now.
Is there a kit out there that enables me to use the factory oil bath system,or will that all need to be replaced as well?
A search here indicated that Kodiak is pretty good stuff. Is there anything else worth looking at?
lurking_out_loud
11-05-2007, 07:59 AM
Kodiak Stainless w/ cadmium rotors mounted over "standard" cheezy loader oil bath hubs worked for me. I did have to use longer studs, but that was a pretty easy process. I picked 2 axles worth up off of ebay for $235.00 per axle. Trailer Parts Express was the seller.
Good luck!
-LOL
Hawaiian Time
11-05-2007, 08:01 AM
I just did the conversion you are talking about. I got a kit from Pacific trailers in California. They have several kits depending on your axle size. They also have several different choices on materials. Go on line and look up Kodiak disc brakes and you will find them listed. My kit for a single axle, rated at 3500 lbs cost around $400. This was silver cadmium rotors with SS calipers with ceramic brakes. I had to buy a different actuator as the actuator for disc brakes require more pressure. I then found a local mechanic that could do the switch. You could probably do the work yourself but I didn't want to mess with it. Judgeing from what I saw, it was a bolt off, bolt on procedure. Getting the brakes bled looked the hardest. Hope this helps. HT
lurking_out_loud
11-05-2007, 08:02 AM
The part number for the brakes I used for the trailer under my SeaHawk is 2/RCM-10-SCAD-SS.
-LOL
ICHTHYDEMON
11-05-2007, 08:05 AM
Kodiak Stainless w/ cadmium rotors mounted over "standard" cheezy loader oil bath hubs worked for me. I did have to use longer studs, but that was a pretty easy process. I picked 2 axles worth up off of ebay for $235.00 per axle. Trailer Parts Express was the seller.
Good luck!
-LOL
I see you and Hawaiian Time went woth Cadmium rotors. Are the SS rotors not what a guy wants?
Hawaiian Time
11-05-2007, 08:16 AM
Go online and there is some discussion regarding the best combination for saltwater usage. Since I almost exclusively fish in salt, they recommended this combination. I was surprised also that SS rotors was not the best application. HT
lurking_out_loud
11-05-2007, 11:58 AM
The stainless rotors are a lot harder surface than the cad units therefore harder to turn and tougher on pads. From what I read, the stainless calipers with cad rotors are the ticket for the weights we are working with. As HT said, you will need a different actuator for the disks to make things work. I'd also recommend doing both axles if you are going to tow in Washington or into Canada. They both require brakes on all axles.
-LOL
ICHTHYDEMON
11-05-2007, 12:40 PM
The stainless rotors are a lot harder surface than the cad units therefore harder to turn and tougher on pads. From what I read, the stainless calipers with cad rotors are the ticket for the weights we are working with. As HT said, you will need a different actuator for the disks to make things work. I'd also recommend doing both axles if you are going to tow in Washington or into Canada. They both require brakes on all axles.
-LOL
I've got brakes on both axles now,I'll be sticking with both axles.
ICHTHYDEMON
11-06-2007, 02:23 PM
Yeeeouch!
The disc conversion may be on hold. I priced two sets and the cheapest I could find is gonna run almost $1000.
That price includes a new actuator. Apparently the discs need more hydraulic pressure to work,and a drum brake actuator won't always cut it.
I could save about $150 if my current actuator will work.
You may have a removable orifice on your current controller. If you can find the parts list, find the orifice and remove it, it should work for disc brakes
I got my brakes for $225/axle at Century Wheel and Rim in Wilsonville. Mine are cadmium rotors and calipers. I had plain painted calipers for 7 years and they were still servicable. I think the cadmium units are going to last almost forever, and the stainless units are overkill.
MattPark
11-06-2007, 06:17 PM
Yeeeouch!
The disc conversion may be on hold. I priced two sets and the cheapest I could find is gonna run almost $1000.
That price includes a new actuator. Apparently the discs need more hydraulic pressure to work,and a drum brake actuator won't always cut it.
I could save about $150 if my current actuator will work.
I've done a few sets of the Kodiak disc brakes (about to do another the end of the week), and it's right around $150 per axle. None of the trailers needed an new actuator, just a check valve removed. The S-Cad brakes work fine in most applications.