While working in the hangar I noticed that hydrualic fluid was dripping from my Cleveland Wheel Brakes onto the hangar floor.
The temperature last night had dropped to 12-degrees F., which apparently hardened the O-ring seals on the caliper "pucks" and perhaps caused a bit of shrinkage also.... resulting in a loss of hyd. fluid.
Just thought I'd add a cautionary note to things to "look out" for during cold wx preflights.
(The O-ring is replaceable, of course. The standard Cleveland STC calls for the 30-63A brake assembly, which uses an MS28775-224 O-ring (1/8"x1-3/4"x2")
Spruce sells them for 58-cents each. The Parker-Hannifin/Cleveland PN 101-05200 (equivalent in every way) is $14.00 each.
Cold Weather Adversely affects Brakes
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
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GAHorn
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Cold Weather Adversely affects Brakes
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
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mit
- Posts: 1067
- Joined: Wed May 01, 2002 1:54 am
Re: Cold Weather Adversely affects Brakes
Hell George, 
when it gets cold up here we don't even have the brakes installed! 
when it gets cold up here we don't even have the brakes installed! Tim
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GAHorn
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Re: Cold Weather Adversely affects Brakes
Just exactly...WHEN...does it get "cold" up there?mit wrote:Hell George,
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
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mit
- Posts: 1067
- Joined: Wed May 01, 2002 1:54 am
Re: Cold Weather Adversely affects Brakes
This weekend its suppose to get to 30 below.... but who knows 
Tim
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hilltop170
- Posts: 3485
- Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 6:05 pm
Re: Cold Weather Adversely affects Brakes
The only time I have ever had the wheel cylinder o-rings leak is when the brake pads and/or brake disk are at their min thickness and the piston is more extended than when the pads/disks are new
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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GAHorn
- Posts: 21292
- Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm
Re: Cold Weather Adversely affects Brakes
Not the case in this instance.hilltop170 wrote:The only time I have ever had the wheel cylinder o-rings leak is when the brake pads and/or brake disk are at their min thickness and the piston is more extended than when the pads/disks are new
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
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hilltop170
- Posts: 3485
- Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 6:05 pm
Re: Cold Weather Adversely affects Brakes
That’s very interesting as both my C-170 with single puck Clevelands and my C-180 with double puck Clevelands sat outside for years winter and summer in Alaska without ever seeing a problem with fluid leaking out of the wheel cylinders.
Makes me wonder if the o-ring material has been changed to a less cold-resistant elastomer, or maybe some other change in the system?
Makes me wonder if the o-ring material has been changed to a less cold-resistant elastomer, or maybe some other change in the system?
Richard Pulley
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
2014-2016 TIC170A Past President
1951 170A, N1715D, s/n 20158, O-300D
2023 Best Original 170A at Sault Ste. Marie
Owned from 1973 to 1984.
Bought again in 2006 after 22 years.
It's not for sale!
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DaveF
- Posts: 1562
- Joined: Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:44 am
Re: Cold Weather Adversely affects Brakes
The O-rings in my Cleveland single-puck cylinders last about five years, then start to seep. I assume the cylinders would benefit from polishing.
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bsdunek
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2004 6:42 pm
Re: Cold Weather Adversely affects Brakes
I've never had mine leak due to cold, but then, it may depend on the age and type of o-ring. I still have the Goodyears and they have always worked fine. Good thing to watch for though, there's always a first time.
Bruce
1950 170A N5559C
1950 170A N5559C
Cessna® is a registered trademark of Textron Aviation, Inc. The International Cessna® 170 Association is an independent owners/operators association dedicated to C170 aircraft and early O-300-powered C172s. We are not affiliated with Cessna® or Textron Aviation, Inc. in any way.