brake disc thickness

[zero.one.victor]

I have a p/n 199-62 (double-puck) Cleveland W&B kit on my ragwing, installed about 17 years ago. The brake discs are badly scored/grooved. Repacking the wheel bearings as part of the pre-annual inspection maintenance, I just noticed that the brake pads are almost gone after only about 175 hours-- I've had them last 300-400 hours in the past. I'm sure the funky discs are a factor, these last pads were Rapco brand not Cleveland so that might be a factor too.
I already have one brand new replacement disc in my hoard of parts. I plan to buy another one, a Cleveland if I can get a good deal from Preferred Airparts or somewhere like that (any suggestions?), otherwise a Rapco. From Spruce, the Rapco's about $75 versus about $120 for the Cleveland.
I wonder if the old disc's can be turned down at the local auto shop & be made servicable? They're Cleveland p/n 164-03600-- the new one is .368" thick, the old ones are .255" & .280". Does Cleveland have a minimum thickness spec?
I noticed there's quite a price range on the pads, too-- Cleveland pads (p/n 66-105) are about $72 for 8, Rapco's are about $44. Spruce also lists "Barry Jay" brand brake pads (which they note are not FAA/PMA'd, must be for experimentals) for only $18 for 8. At that price, they'd be cost-effective even if they only lasted half as long as the Rapco's or a third as long as the Clevelands.

Eric

[Metal Master]

I have a p/n 199-62 (double-puck) Cleveland W&B kit on my ragwing, installed about 17 years ago. The brake discs are badly scored/grooved. Repacking the wheel bearings as part of the pre-annual inspection maintenance, I just noticed that the brake pads are almost gone after only about 175 hours-- I've had them last 300-400 hours in the past. I'm sure the funky discs are a factor, these last pads were Rapco brand not Cleveland so that might be a factor too.
I already have one brand new replacement disc in my hoard of parts. I plan to buy another one, a Cleveland if I can get a good deal from Preferred Airparts or somewhere like that (any suggestions?), otherwise a Rapco. From Spruce, the Rapco's about $75 versus about $120 for the Cleveland.
I wonder if the old disc's can be turned down at the local auto shop & be made servicable? They're Cleveland p/n 164-03600-- the new one is .368" thick, the old ones are .255" & .280". Does Cleveland have a minimum thickness spec?
I noticed there's quite a price range on the pads, too-- Cleveland pads (p/n 66-105) are about $72 for 8, Rapco's are about $44. Spruce also lists "Barry Jay" brand brake pads (which they note are not FAA/PMA'd, must be for experimentals) for only $18 for 8. At that price, they'd be cost-effective even if they only lasted half as long as the Rapco's or a third as long as the Clevelands.

Eric

According to the the Clevland componet maintenance manual the minumum thickness for the 164-03600 disc is 0.327 inches. The minumum demension for the 55-105 linings is .100 inches.

As a side note I tried early last year to turn down a set of Cleveland dics that were still above minimum thickness that were causing premature wear because of severe pitting and scoring. I was just experimenting with a pair of old discs I had. By the time I had them turned down so that the surfaces were smooth and the rust pits gone the discs were below minimum thickness.

I will not use Rapco linnings on Cleveland brakes having been sued for not using the manufactures recommendations to not use other manufactures componnets. In my opinion the cost of linnings is cheep insurance against brake failure. The insurance company by the way setteled out of court.

I have never liked Cleveland wheels or brakes for a number of reasons. Note that the allowable wear is only .368 - .327 = .041. But they are the only game in town.

[GAHorn]

RAPCO linings are PMA'd, and are airworthy components, in my opinion.
The only caution I've seen Cleveland make about other mfr's linings is contained in their warranty: "Use of other manufacturer's components with original Cleveland Wheel and Brake assemblies will void the Cleveland warranty."
The warranty long expired on my Cleveland wheels/brakes anyway, and RAPCO has wear-indicators moulded into their linings, a feature I like. Otherwise I've seen no difference in performance.
The new disc thickness is limited by considerations of weight, caliper travel, and installation clearance issues. An important inspection item is to check for "coning" or warping. To the untrained eye, it can be a surprise when it's found and pointed out. (Take a metal straight-edge and lay it fully across the disc's complete circumference, across the center axle-area. The outer circumference of the lining contact area may be noticeably higher or lower than the inner circumference, and if so, the disc must be "discarded". (Sorry for the pun.) This is usually caused by a stuck caliper or by "riding the brakes".

[zero.one.victor]

Sounds like my old discs are scrap. I'll keep them around, might need a little ballast some day. BTW, a friend has Cleveland drum brakes on his Pacer. He just bought a pair of new (used) drums, as his old ones were developing some cracks around the bolt holes. We compared his new drum to my new disc- ID, OD, and bolt pattern are all the same. Just the depth is different (the drum is not as deep)-- plus the drum has a pressed-on heat sink instead of a welded-on disc. For some reason, those disc's seemed to be in short supply when he was trying to find some. He suggested that I machine the disc "cup" to the proper depth (throwing the disc part away) and peddle the parts for use as drum replacements.

Eric

[zero.one.victor]

Has anyone had any experience with the Rapco disc's? How about the Barry Jay brake pads?

Eric

[zero.one.victor]

O ordered a new Cleveland brand disc from Preferred Airparts. They had three available, NOS ("new old stock"), for $83. Only about 6 bucks more than Rapco's fromSpruce. I did order a set of the barry Jay brake pads from spruce- $18 for 8, WAY cheaper than Cleveland or even Rapco. I'll let the forum know what I think of them.

Eric