Chief 11AC brake adjustment
Chief 11AC brake adjustment
My Chief has Goodyear mechanical brakes. Can anyone post a step-by-step process for adjusting 1) brake cables at the brake assembly and 2) brake adjustment using the brake adjusting mechanism (I'd appreciate elaboration of the factory manual instructions)
-
Jody Wittmeyer
- Posts: 591
- Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2004 13:47
- Location: Kewanee, IL. (EZI)
- Contact:
JR: I cussed my Goodyear brakes for about two years as they didn't seem to have any stopping power. Last spring when I took my skis off, I decided I had to either get serious about fixing them or replace them with something else. Regarding adjustments: (1) be sure all your internal components are in good condition, including the pucks, the piston (or anvil as they call it) also the pins, return springs, etc. (2) crack the lock nut loose and turned the adjuster arm assembly in until there is a slight drag on the disk. Lock the adjuster down and make sure the wheel still turns freely (3) Pull the cables tight and clamp the cables together with a 'vice grip' while you tighten the cable clamps. Generally things slip a little so you'll wind up with some free play in the cable when all is said and done (4) check the pedal 'free play' in the cabin. They should have about the same. Maybe 1/2- 1 inch. If not, adjust the cables as required.
It seems for the Goodyear brakes to work properly, it's best that you have the arm pulling at about a 90 degree angle, rather than too straight, to get decent pulling (and braking) power. This might involve building up the pushing pins (for lack of a better term) or anything that will allow you to get the arm to a 90 degree angle when the pucks are clamping the disk.
One other thought: use silicone to hold the brake clips in. They're way too expensive to lose and if one falls out and allows the disk to bind, it could ruin your whole day
.
Since I got my Goodyears working properly, I'm no longer afraid to taxi on a hard surface ramp with a tail wind. That used to really raise the pucker factor
.
Hope this helps and good luck.
Mike Berg
It seems for the Goodyear brakes to work properly, it's best that you have the arm pulling at about a 90 degree angle, rather than too straight, to get decent pulling (and braking) power. This might involve building up the pushing pins (for lack of a better term) or anything that will allow you to get the arm to a 90 degree angle when the pucks are clamping the disk.
One other thought: use silicone to hold the brake clips in. They're way too expensive to lose and if one falls out and allows the disk to bind, it could ruin your whole day
.Since I got my Goodyears working properly, I'm no longer afraid to taxi on a hard surface ramp with a tail wind. That used to really raise the pucker factor
.Hope this helps and good luck.
Mike Berg
"If God had intended man to fly He would have given us more money"
Chief brakes
Thanks for Mike and Jody for their suggestions. Looks like another weekend at the hangar working on brakes. Life is good.