REFLECTOR: Brake performance

[Scott Derrick]

I've bled my Matco equiped Rg starting from scratch three times. Never 
raised the gear to do it but I do set the nose wheel up about a foot, 
this helps the bubbles travel up to the master cylinder. I pump very 
aggressively with a one pint oil can at the wheel cylinder for about 8 
strokes, check things and repeat until no bubbles are seen in the master 
cylinder. I put a plastic sandwich bag under the master cylinder to 
catch the overflow of fluid.

They aren't rock hard but do work very well. Never had a problem in 450 
hours of flight at high altitude airports with lots of weight. I may try 
raising the gear half way and see if that will eliminate the slightly 
soft feel at the top of the brakes.

Scott

Al Gietzen wrote:
>
> When I initially filled the fluid in my RG I put the gear about half 
> way up, and put the fluid in from the bleed nipple at the bottom. 
> Added fluid until the reservoirs were 2/3 full. No further bleeding 
> required. The brakes have worked fine except for some chatter early 
> on. Turning the rotors solved that problem.
>
> BTW; a poor-man’s tool for back filling fluid is a 1 quart plastic oil 
> (or other fluid) bottle. I drilled a hole in the cap and threaded in a 
> nylaflow fitting that came with the kit. A length of nylaflow, and a 
> piece of vacuum line or gas line, and you’re set. Clean the bottle and 
> the DOT 5 fluid. Connect to the bleeder, hold the bottle upside down, 
> and squeeze. Photo attached.
>
> Jim,obviously this works for RG's as well, but is there an easier 
> process for RG's?
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>
>     *From:* Jim Agnew <mailto:jim_agnew_2 at yahoo.com>
>
>     *To:* Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
>     <mailto:reflector at tvbf.org>
>
>     *Sent:* Monday, May 05, 2008 6:14 PM
>
>     *Subject:* Re: REFLECTOR: Brake performance
>
>     IT IS ALMOST IMPOSIBLE TO GET ALL OF THE AIR OUT of Matco brakes.
>
>     See the following for a diagram of the calipers and pay attention
>     to the position of the blead holes. On a fixed gear you may have
>     to remove the caliper assembly and turn it in many directions to
>     rid yourself of air.
>
>     http://www.tvbf.org/gallery/?dir=subsystems%2Fbrakes%2FMatco%20Caliper%20PH6
>
>     Jim
>
>     James F. Agnew
>     Jim_Agnew_2 at Yahoo.Com
>     Tampa, FL
>     Velocity 173 Elite Aircraft Completed & Flying
>
>     ----- Original Message ----
>     From: Jerry Teitsma <jerryteits at comcast.net>
>     To: Reflector <reflector at tvbf.org>
>     Sent: Monday, May 5, 2008 6:44:39 PM
>     Subject: REFLECTOR: Brake performance
>
>     I am having trouble with air in my brake lines - actually only on
>     one side. I have bled the brakes multiple times on that one side -
>     from the bottom until no bubbles occur and the brakes are firm. It
>     take no time for the brakes to need pumping again on that side. I
>     have even bled the brakes, flew for an hour or so, and had no
>     brakes on that side when I landed. It wasn't pretty..
>
>     Do I have a Master Cylinder problem or a connection problem?
>     Bubbles are in the nylaflow lines near the brakes but no fluids
>     are on the floor. Do I need to install the new Cleveland assembly
>     to cure this? Thanks, JT
>
>     Jerry Teitsma
>
>     Granby CO 80446
>     970-887-3910
>     jerryteits at comcast.net <mailto:jerryteits at comcast.net>
>
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