[Budweiser]

Team,
I got my front brakes apart. Drained the old brake fluid out and bled them until clear came out the bleeders. My question is I have the drums off. When I pull in the brake lever, only 1 wheel cylinder pushes the brake shoe out. The other does nothing. This is the same on both sides. Maybe the one moving cylinder needs the drum to push against to get the other to work? Does anyone know?

Thought about getting a disc brake conversion kit for it...but don't think I will. This 4-wheeler has had very little use. The brake shoes show no wear.

Thanks for any info!!

 

[_Wilson_]

Correct .... You need both drums on....

IMO while you have it broke down, nows the time ...for the disk brake mod.

 

[Budweiser]

Thanks for the reply!

Gonna wait on the disc brakes. I can always do it later. Thats why I asked about the wheel cylinders. If I needed new ones, I could justify the disc brake conversion. Right now I'm sure I can get these brakes to work pretty well.

Thanks again! I'm sure I'll have more questions coming up!

 

[mac102004]

Watch eBay for some used cylinders if you have to replace them. I recently picked up the brake backing panels and cylinders off a 350 Rancher and used them on a 300. Worked perfect and the wheel cylinders were the cleanest used set I’d ever seen. Only paid $50 or so. The rebuild kits and new wheel cylinders are both very expensive.


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[LedFTed]

just as water will take the easiest path, so will hydraulic fluid. if you can adjust the cylinders, that is a good thing. trying the brakes without the drums on, is not the best ideal. i blew a few cylinders apart trying this. you can put them back together, but must bleed the brakes. air, and water, are enemies of brake function. you can take apart the brake cylinders, to check them out. make sure they are sealed properly where they mount, or water will cause problems, within the drum.

 

[GirlsRideToo]

Thanks for the reply!

Gonna wait on the disc brakes. I can always do it later. Thats why I asked about the wheel cylinders. If I needed new ones, I could justify the disc brake conversion. Right now I'm sure I can get these brakes to work pretty well.

Thanks again! I'm sure I'll have more questions coming up!

I just bought two new OEM cylinders for my 1997 Recon 250 and they were only about 23.00 each. If I had bought the individual parts it would have been close to $90.00. Bought from Rockymountainatv. One cylinder was leaking badly so I went ahead and replaced both while I had the front wheels disassembled.

How much are new OEM cylinders for your fourtrax??

 

[mac102004]

Around $100 for four new wheel cylinders for a 300. Plus shipping. 4 used rancher cylinders on the backing plate was $60 to my door. So half price anyway.


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[_Wilson_]

If your looking for oem cylinders..... Macs right..... Troll ebay.... I located a oem set for $35... There going on the spare parts shelf.

 

[GirlsRideToo]

Around $100 for four new wheel cylinders for a 300. Plus shipping. 4 used rancher cylinders on the backing plate was $60 to my door. So half price anyway.


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And, @wilson, good prices you found on used OEM cylinders. I'm surprised there is such a difference in price for OEM cylinders for 1998 TRX300 ($85.00) and my 1997 TRX250 ($23.00) at Rockymountainatv. Parts look almost identical to me. LOL. Anyway, thanks for the info! I'll gather up my used ones and see if anyone needs them. I'm too old to start a parts shelf. LOL

 

[_Wilson_]

My bad GRT...... They're nos (new old stock) oem. I'd just rather use oem....parts, when i can....

And Your never too old. To start a parts shelf.....lol

 

[fishfiles]

One problem with a parts shelf is finding what you need when you need it

 

[LedFTed]

^^^^not if your just getting started, and are organized. i have neither of those . never had organized.

 

[Budweiser]

Got it all back together...adjusters are all the way in, brake lever feels just right. I left them as is. Am I wrong in thinking they are tough to adjust? With this 4X4 system everything is connected. By that I mean trying to turn 1 drum turns them all. I do not have tires on and ATV is in the air.

And I think the disc brake conversion kit is around $230.00. I would get that before buying any cylinders.

And on another note...I checked out the rear brakes...brake shoes had come apart! Lots of brake dust in there!

 

[mac102004]

Yeah it's a pain that way I guess, turn one, the other turns. It's a bit easier if the machine is in 2wd, would need a 424 for that though, or remove the driveshaft lol. Then both tires can turn on the front together, rather than trying to overcome the clutch pack in the diff and have the opposite tire turn backwards. I usually get them adjusted pretty close by taking the drum off and sliding it back on to check.

 

[Budweiser]

Glad to hear its not just me!!

 

[GirlsRideToo]

Got it all back together...adjusters are all the way in, brake lever feels just right. I left them as is. Am I wrong in thinking they are tough to adjust? With this 4X4 system everything is connected. By that I mean trying to turn 1 drum turns them all. I do not have tires on and ATV is in the air.

And I think the disc brake conversion kit is around $230.00. I would get that before buying any cylinders.

And on another note...I checked out the rear brakes...brake shoes had come apart! Lots of brake dust in there!

Are you wrong?? Noooooo. I just came in from spending 3 hours working on my front brakes on Recon. I installed the new cylinders, brake shoes back on and cleaning everything up. Added fluid to rebuilt master cylinder and bled the brakes. Then, started fooling with that silly adjuster. I'd adjust, slide on the drum, take drum off, adjust, slide drum back on, take drum back off.............. I'm exhausted. LOL. Adjustment is still not right. I'll tackle it again tomorrow. So happy that your brakes are working well. It could have been a lot worse, trust me. LOL

When I worked on the rear brakes on my 2014 Rancher 4x4 I put the front wheels back on temporarily to makes things easier to turn.

On the rear brake be sure the brake cam is really clean and greased and all the seals are there. The seals should be replaced. My cables were working just fine but the cam was seized due to rust where water had gotten into the drum due to worn out dust and felt seals. If your brake shoes have been that neglected then you need to check all the parts for wear and tear. Don't worry, The rear brakes are easy to adjust.

 

[LedFTed]

did you check your rear brake drum clearance, to make sure is not to worn? a new brake drum is probably over $160.oo