REFLECTOR: Brake Lines

[Scott Derrick]

The plans call for a heat shield of some kind..

Dave Philipsen wrote:
> While we're on the subject of brake lines I'll just throw in my two 
> cents' worth.  I have a STD FG with Nylaflow lines.  The other day I was 
> taxiing out to the runway and doing a lot of pumping on the right brake 
> due to some crosswind and the fact that I haven't lubed my nose gear 
> Belleville washer.  I am not the original builder but my brakes have 
> absolutely no heat shields to keep heat away from the gear leg or the 
> brake line.  Well, it finally caught up with me.  During my run-up 
> before takeoff, I was holding both pedals down and the right one gave 
> way and just sank to the floor.  To make a long story short, the 
> Nylaflow tubing popped right out of the ferrule and fitting and sprayed 
> all of my brake fluid out on the taxiway.  Had to get towed back to the 
> hangar.  I figure that the heat caused some expansion/contraction 
> problems which caused the line to blow out.  Anyway, I ordered and 
> installed a Stopflex brake hose made with a Teflon core, a Kevlar inner 
> braid, an elastomer barrier, and stainless steel braid with a clear 
> vinyl cover.  They are advertised as having "no volumetric expansion" 
> and surpass DOT specs.  The Stopflex line is long enough to get inside 
> where a fitting converts back to the Nylaflow for the rest of the way to 
> the master cylinder.  I believe that the Nylaflow is ok but probably not 
> well suited to hi-temp environments.  So far, the Stopflex modification 
> seems to perform as well or better than the Nylaflow that was there 
> before in terms of 'soft pedal' or sponginess.
>
>
>
> NMFlyer1 at aol.com wrote:
>   
>> Need some input:  The original brake "Nylaflow" that came with my kit 
>> isn't quite long enough for the 173 FGE.  So, I bought some new stuff. 
>> They are the same OD, but not the same ID. The NEW stiff is thinner 
>> wall and is too big for the compression inserts that came with the kit.
>>  
>> The Original part:  S&L Plastics Nylaflow Pressure Tubing Type 3/16"H 
>> SK8201
>>  
>> The New Stuff:  S&L Nylaflow Pressure Tubing Type 3/16"T SK8201
>>  
>> I am guessing the "H" is Heavy Wall, and the "T" is thin wall.
>>  
>> The inserts from the factory fit the heavy wall tubing  (that is too 
>> short for the airplane).
>>  
>> The thin wall stuff is what the Wicks and Spruce Catalogs say is used 
>> for brake lines. Spruce doesn't have an insert listed that I could 
>> find, Wicks has one that says "3/16" part number 2030x4"
>>  
>> What kind of Nylaflow is being used? If it is the thin wall stuff, 
>> what is the part number for the insert?
>>  
>> I either need to order new (correct) nylaflow, or new (correct) 
>> fittings. any input?
>>  
>> Another screeching stop due to incorrect parts.
>>  
>> Thanks   Kurt
>>     
>
>   

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