MaxBrake Install

[odinjunior]

I just ordered my MaxBrake and will be attempting the install next week. Are there any things I should know or special tools I'll need? Where is the best spot to mount it?

 

[LBARTLETT]

no special tools, just follow the directions, don't pinch any wires, you'll need one person to push on the brake pedal when you bleed the sensor, I mounted mine right of the steering column above the throttle pedal



I ordered the plug kit/wiring harness with mine which made it very easy, hoping you did too

 

[Jerky]

When you get it installed let us know what you think of it. Where you got it etc. I have been thinking along those lines as well.

 

[DaveHess]

I bought one and haven't had the intestinal fortitude to do the install yet. Cracking open a brake line scares me! I know it's gotta be done but bothers me none the less.

 

[DHayden]

Maybe we should try to get a group buy together. Southwest wheel has a discount on multiple units to begin with, plus I think they offer a 5% discount to TDR and DTR members. Have to check for sure if there is any interest. These units are spendy so any discount is good.

 

[Grizzly]

Dave, don't hesitate. The instructions are explicit enough to get you through the installation. There is no such thing as cracking open a brake line, you simply disconnect the front line from the master cylinder, attach the sensor block and connect the line back. Then you bleed the brake line at the block with someone's help to hold the brake pedal down. If you get into trouble, which I don't believe you will, there is a toll free number you can call for help or post on here. It really is very simple.



PM me if you need, george

 

[odinjunior]

Maybe we should try to get a group buy together. Southwest wheel has a discount on multiple units to begin with, plus I think they offer a 5% discount to TDR and DTR members. Have to check for sure if there is any interest. These units are spendy so any discount is good.

:{ Figures, I ordered from SouthWest wheel and never thought about a TDR discount. SouthWest includes a Dodge specific harness with the MaxBrake, I hope that's all I'll need.

 

[DHayden]

Their website shows the following discount, I dont know if you can get the 5% member discount on top of that or not. Getting 4 people together would be nice.



2-3 $314. 96 (10. 00%)

4-10 $297. 46 (15. 00%)

 

[Dutch & Di]

Dave, Don't be "scared" of doing the install. If you need help, just call me 10 am to 10 pm 7 days a week and Dutch will either walk you through the install or answer any questions you may have. Diana

I bought one and haven't had the intestinal fortitude to do the install yet. Cracking open a brake line scares me! I know it's gotta be done but bothers me none the less.

 

[Larry Willard]

Like the others said, no problems to worry about, I didn't even lose any fluid when I put the T in, just had the wife do the brake pedal part to bleed, and you will love the way it works.

Larry

 

[odinjunior]

Max Brake is here. Now some questions. Which brake line is everyone using? Front or rear on the Master Cylinder? Where is the connector to be found under the Dash?

 

[Dutch & Di]

It doesn't really matter which brake line you use, it's whatever is convenient for you.
The connector is in the wiring bundles on the left side of the steering column and is usually very convenient. Diana

 

[odinjunior]

MaxBrake is in... ... ... ... ... .

Controller mounted over pedal.



#ad


Tee Fitting



#ad


Hardware on the Master Cylinder. Bending this tubing without kinking it was a pain.



#ad


Cable thru Boot



#ad


RTV Sealant on the hole in the boot.



#ad

 

[Grizzly]

odinjunior, It wasn't all that difficult. Do you think?

 

[PatrickMarshall]

Nice pictures, can see clearly how it installs.

 

[odinjunior]

Install was Fairly easy. Two steps gave me the most aggravation. First was putting a bend in the straight piece of tubing provided. I used a Dog Food can to prevent Kinks. Second was Snaking the wires thru the FireWall. I hated to make that large of a cut in the Boot but I needed it for the Connector that plugs into the controller.

If I could do this install with my aching back getting under the Dash than anyone can do it... ... .

 

[DaveHess]

I did find that you will need a 12mm Inverted Flare Nut wrench. I started to use an open 12mm wrench and quickly felt it start to give way. Part of my fear here is this is the second MaxBrake I ordered. The first came to me and it appeared someone had taken the faceplate off the controller and the Cal button on the back was mashed into the unit. So that did not instill a whole lot of confidence in me. Now I am gun shy about this unit. I read a lot of good things about it but my Tekonsha, even though it needs constant attention, has never let me down. But, I spent a lot of money that I don't have (courtesy of an ex and child support) so I may as well do this thing. Funny story here. Went to open a savings account in my name this morning and they want a street address due to the Patriot Act. Hmmmmmm... . What is the street address for a 29' Jayco Eagle in a Wal-Mart parking lot????????? Just goes to prove, nice guys do indeed finish last (or with nothing). Diana, I really need that shipping refund!!!!!!!!

 

[DMather]

O M G ! What a difference!



Install took 20 minutes to install the T and the sensor, bleed, route cable through firewall, plug in the two plugs and mount the unit with 3 screws. (add 10 more minutes to wire tie everything and calibrate it)



Tested it with a 33', 11,500 lb trailer.



Previously used Prodigy and since the connector to the truck is the same I was able to change between the controllers by simply moving the plug back and forth between the controllers.



What I experienced almost defied words. I knew the Prodigy was working and could get different stopping results by changing the settings but the MaxBrake just flat out changed the feel of the stop completely. It was like I was stopping a much smaller load.



When I ran the same test with a smaller trailer (about 2500 lbs) there was a difference but it was not so pronounced.

 

[HBarlow]

Doug,

Thanks for your report. It will sell a lot of MaxBrake controllers for someone.

Your report is the first I've read where a member changed directly over from a modern inertia controller and compared the inertia-activated brake controller with a hydraulic over electric controller. Your report is also the first that reported on the difference between heavy and light trailers comparing the two controllers.

Lots of folks who have never experienced the difference go to great lengths to try to convince themself and others that their inertia controller works just as well as a MaxBrake or BrakeSmart. They don't work anywhere near as well or safely and your test report is a testimony to the difference.

 

[Bob Cochran]

I am in the market for a class 8 HDT to pull in the future and a lot use the BrakeSmart air over electric but I don't believe this available anymore. So a lot are going with the MaxBrake air over electric and I have not heard anyone complain as yet. I will keep watching and see if I hear of anything. I am guessing whether it is air over electric or hydraulic over electric it appears both good units.