Brake shoes

Landing gear, wheels, brakes and tailwheels for all aircraft.
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Nathan K. Hammond
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Brake shoes

Post by Nathan K. Hammond »

When I got my Champ many moons ago, the brakes were crap. Eventually we started looking at the shoes and noticed they had a notch where the break cam opperates.

So I cut some phenolic block to fit in the notch and take up the slop. I've used CA glue, epoxy and JBweld to hold the block on, but at best I only get 2 years before they start to let go.

I've thought about filling in the notches by welding in some aluminum and grinding it to shape, but hesitate because I don't want to wear down the cam; hence the use of phenolic.

I'm curious what others are doing????

Here's a pic of what mine look like, click on the pic for a larger version.
Image

nkh
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Ron Babos
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brakes

Post by Ron Babos »

Nathan: If it was mine, which it isn't cause I have Cleavlands :roll: and was sick of constantly having to fix it, this is what I'd do.
Welding may anneal the casting to a soft state so it's a last resort. I'd get some bronze plate and shape it to replace the phonolic you have now Drill and tap a 6-8/32 depending on room in the center of the insert and web of the arm and countersink it in to about 50% thickness of the bronze. Bond with 680 Loctite as well. I don't think the heat in this area is hot enough to detach it. Keep the fits tight as possible. The other more aircraftish method would be to shape the arm lips and bronze for a dovetail joint for mechanical attachment. More time and a milling machine is needed for this one. Some of the older craftsmen are skilled enough with files to be able to do this as well.
Now for the icing on the cake. Take the cam and get about .002 hard chrome on it. This is cheap to do and wear will stop completely.
WARNING........ Bake cams at 400 degrees for a couple of hours before using them to let the hydrogen escape. The cam will be brittle if you don't do this. As time goes on, any residual will come out naturally. They plater may take care of this problem if you ask. Don't mention it's for an aircaft or they may not even plate it for you :lol:
Ron
Before you believe anything I say, check with two more people. If they agree, I must be right.
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Nathan K. Hammond
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Post by Nathan K. Hammond »

Ron, thanks for the bronze idea, I may try that next time. The last thing I want to do is destroy a brake shoe or the cam by welding. ($$$$$$)

nkh
Last edited by Nathan K. Hammond on Wed Nov 15, 2006 22:10, edited 1 time in total.
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Ron Babos
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brakes

Post by Ron Babos »

Nathan: I'd still put .002 of hard chrome on the cams. They can tape off any area you don't want the chrome on and it's not expensive. Cam wear will stop at that point. How's the oil tank? :twisted:
Ron
Before you believe anything I say, check with two more people. If they agree, I must be right.
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Nathan K. Hammond
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Post by Nathan K. Hammond »

:evil: Still there and still cracked, annual inspection is do this month. So I'll take care of it this weekend. I should have listened! :roll:

nkh
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Super 85-12F @ DVK
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