dem brakes
Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2002 7:38 am
'Well guys, I still have a bit of a problem with "dem brakes". I've replaced the fluid with the Dot 5 as per the Fairchild article. Followed the instructions to the letter, there's not one bubble in the system. Then, I put 5 lbs. pressure in the reservoir and bled them from the top, just a little at a time before adding more dot 5 and repressurizizing. The brakes work just fine after I pump them up a few times, but need to be re-pumped up after about 2 or 3 minutes.
Herby Carper (Master PT-19 restorer of 15 years on the same airplane) thinks the brake blocks may be worn down to the point that it takes extra pumping to get enough fluid in the expander tubes to activate the brakes, then when it's not being used the springs in the blocks allow the fluid back up the tubes. I haven't had the wheels off, so I don't know the condiditon of the blocks. Is that the logical next step? Also, there's no leaking of fluid anywhere I can see, the master cylinders show no indication of it either.
The good thing is that at least I have brakes (after pumping a few times), which is far better that what I had before..
Robert Hensarling
rhrocker@hilconet.com
www.mesquiterocker.com
Uvalde, Texas
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]'
Herby Carper (Master PT-19 restorer of 15 years on the same airplane) thinks the brake blocks may be worn down to the point that it takes extra pumping to get enough fluid in the expander tubes to activate the brakes, then when it's not being used the springs in the blocks allow the fluid back up the tubes. I haven't had the wheels off, so I don't know the condiditon of the blocks. Is that the logical next step? Also, there's no leaking of fluid anywhere I can see, the master cylinders show no indication of it either.
The good thing is that at least I have brakes (after pumping a few times), which is far better that what I had before..
Robert Hensarling
rhrocker@hilconet.com
www.mesquiterocker.com
Uvalde, Texas
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]'