Converting Surge Brake Actuator from Disc to Drum Brake Pressure

Question:

I am building a trailer using the bed and rear axle from a dodge truck. The rear axle is a drum brake Dana 60. My question is for the surge brake actuator/coupler and future upgrades in regard to fluid capacity requirements If I were to install a drum brake controller would I be able to upgrade to disk brakes and keep the drum brake actuator/coupler? If not, would the disk brake actuator/coupler work both disk or drum. Thank you

asked by: Brian A

Expert Reply:

Drum and disk brake actuators use different pressures for operation. Drum brake actuators typically produce 1000-psi pressure while disc brake actuators produce 1500 or 1600-psi pressure.

The higher pressure of a disc actuator could blow out the wheel cylinders of a drum brake assembly so you cannot use the higher-pressure disc actuator with drum brakes.

Depending on your actuator you may be able to install a pressure reducer value to drop the pressure from the 1500-1600 range down to 1000-psi for drum brakes. In other instances you can install a new master cylinder (meant for drum brakes) into the disc actuator. For example, if you have a Titan Model 60 actuator for disc brakes you can replace it's higher-pressure master cylinder # T4820000 with the unit for the drum brake version, master cylinder # T4395100.

expert reply by: Adam R