Partial Cleveland brake failure.

[Jr.CubBuilder]

Where do you get these flexible lines? I've been rummaging around aircraft spruce, Wicks etc. they have master cylinders, calipers, pads, kits, o-rings, but I can't seem to find anywhere that they list brake line.

I'm kind of scratching my head and thinking that I've got to be barking up the wrong tree here.

[170C]

I imagine several of our folks will offer you some sources, but you can purchase the fittings and make them yourself if you are so inclined. A lot of IA's will make them for their customers too. I have never made any myself, but my IA made them for the ones under the rudder pedals a few years back. Probably like making fuel lines which we were going to do at the convention, but the supplier didn't come through with the fittings.

How about that George. Any chance we could do the fuel lines as a part of the maint. forum at Branson?

[N2865C]

I got mine from PHT. http://www.aircrafthose.com/ They were around $60 for the pair. I can HIGHLY recommend them. Very fast turnaround. I ordered them too long and when I called and asked if it would be cheaper to have mine cut down or to order new ones, they sent me out a new set the same day.... no charge You tell them what you want and they make them to order.

[Jr.CubBuilder]

Thanks guys.

[blueldr]

Hoses are also made to order by Sacramentp Sky Ranch.

[GAHorn]

I imagine several of our folks will offer you some sources, but you can purchase the fittings and make them yourself if you are so inclined. A lot of IA's will make them for their customers too. I have never made any myself, but my IA made them for the ones under the rudder pedals a few years back. Probably like making fuel lines which we were going to do at the convention, but the supplier didn't come through with the fittings.

How about that George. Any chance we could do the fuel lines as a part of the maint. forum at Branson?

In follow-up to this subject,... Fuel, brake, and other low-pressure fluid lines are very easy to make with the correct hoses, fittings, and mandrels (along with tape, hack-saw, bench-vise, etc.) but the problems that arise are in getting the materials donated and the time devoted to manufacturing the hoses on-site for airplanes that are not present. (You'd think that all 170's have a standard-length hose wouldn't you? But a simple matter such as a spin-on oil filter required me to have a new hose made up for mine. Then there are other issues such as engine-mods, and exhaust mods, and flame-proofing, and pressure-testing, etc., etc., ... that make the idea of simply ordering a custom-made hose already covered in flame-retardant coverings a simple and cost-effective answer. (Typical parts to make your own hose will cost you as much or more than a hose made by a certified hose-mfr'r who already has the pressure-test equipment and is better equipped to flame-proof it.)

I still have plans to cover the subject at an upcoming mx seminar as part of an "Aging Aircraft" topic. Branson is probably the place! Be there! (I'll attempt to get some hoses donated by a mfr'r.)

[boydkl]

If you haven't already, I recomend you have your master cylinders checked.
The first intermittent failure on my right brake almost resulted in my instructor and I taking out a fence. The A&P could not get the seals to hold pressure without leaking down slowly. It was replaced with a rebuilt. Over the next 2 years I would very rarely "loose" the left brake during taxi (thank God). All they way down and pumped - No brake. In a few minutes it would work fine and reliably. The third time it happened I went back to the hanger and the A&P pulled the left master. The Loc o seal lock nut had backed way up the shaft. So the left got rebuilt. Amazing that it worked so well 99% of the time.
Now I insist on checking the guts in the the master cylinders at annual.

[Robert Eilers]

I am also going ahead with the installation of the flexible brake lines. Looking at the solid brake line currently on the airplane, the clip which holds the brake line to the spring gear leg is half way up the leg. Is there any need to install a second or additional lower clip to secure the flexible brake line, or are most folks just running the flexible line from the cut off to the brake cylinder? Any suggestions on how long the flex line should be - no wheel pants?

[GAHorn]

No need for more clips. 12"-18".