Brakes on my Chief
Brakes on my Chief
I recently purchased a Chief and I knew the heel brakes on these airplanes were never very good. But the brakes on my plane are so poor, they won't hold the airplane in place during a run-up. At 1500 rpm, the plane scoots ahead and would probably take off if I let the speed build. Is that normal? If so, how do you safely do a run-up? Perhaps the cables have stretched too much? I don't want to tighten the brakes to the point that they are "always on." but is it just a question of adjustment? Does anyone have any suggestions?
Re: Brakes on my Chief
Jfarelly,
I am flying a 65 HP Chief and experienced this a little. To keep this post short let me suggest this:
The Goodyear brakes are not great but IMHO, if you can't control the aircraft on run-up, taxi back to the hangar and either fix them or have them fixed. I run up at 1800 RPM and am able to hold position with that power setting. The Chief brake system is laid out in your Service Manual and if you require drawings, they are probably available from Brian who is the Moderator for this group. I had the whole brake cabling system (including the parking brake) snugged up and it is now a part of my Annual inspection requirement. Be sure after any adjustment that you don't have one too tight ! Good Luck and let us hear how you make out. I am not addressing pad wear and plate condition since I think you must have done these things.
Dale
I am flying a 65 HP Chief and experienced this a little. To keep this post short let me suggest this:
The Goodyear brakes are not great but IMHO, if you can't control the aircraft on run-up, taxi back to the hangar and either fix them or have them fixed. I run up at 1800 RPM and am able to hold position with that power setting. The Chief brake system is laid out in your Service Manual and if you require drawings, they are probably available from Brian who is the Moderator for this group. I had the whole brake cabling system (including the parking brake) snugged up and it is now a part of my Annual inspection requirement. Be sure after any adjustment that you don't have one too tight ! Good Luck and let us hear how you make out. I am not addressing pad wear and plate condition since I think you must have done these things.
Dale
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Paul Agaliotis
- Posts: 2589
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Re: Brakes on my Chief
There's really nothing wrong with the brakes. Most of the brakes suffer from lack of maintenance and adjustment.
The Chief has adjustment at the caliper as well as cable adjustment, have sombody familiar with the brakes take a look at them. The cables themselves should be lubricated with dry graphite only. If they were oiled they pich up crap and are sluggish in the Bowden cable. This added drag make the heel presure needed increased.
Paul
The Chief has adjustment at the caliper as well as cable adjustment, have sombody familiar with the brakes take a look at them. The cables themselves should be lubricated with dry graphite only. If they were oiled they pich up crap and are sluggish in the Bowden cable. This added drag make the heel presure needed increased.
Paul
Mailing Adress : Paul Agaliotis 2060 E. San Martin, San Martin,Calif. 95046
Re: Brakes on my Chief
I have GY cable brakes on both my Champ and the L16. Mostly it's in the adjustment of the caliper. What I do (right or wrong) is to jack up the plane under the axle. I use a piece of cardboard to prevent damaging the cable tube. Then with the cable off I turn the caliper adjustment inward until the wheel turns with just a small amount of drag and adjust the cable with about 3/4 of an inch of 'free play' on both brake pedals. I only use about 1500 rpm on runup and doesn't seem to creep as long as I keep pressure on the brake pedals. Seems to work for me. Also (important) be sure you're pulling the caliper lever with as close as a 90 degree angle as possible. This gives you the most leverage.
Mike B
Mike B