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RE: Europa-List: Tri gear Brake Problems

Subject: RE: Europa-List: Tri gear Brake Problems
From: Alan Burrows <alan@kestrelinsurance.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 14:48:20

Firstly I am no expert on the subject of brakes, but I don't understand
why my brakes would free up when moving the parking brake lever
backwards and forwards a few times, because to me it seems a different
problem to yours. Incidentally I also had problems with the levers not
returning fully, but just put up with that. Where did you get your extra
springs from and are they anything special?
Alan

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of KARL HEINDL
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Tri gear Brake Problems


Alan,


Some of us had problems with the rubber seals in the master cylinder not
returning to their null position due to excessive friction. I overcame
this problem simply by re-enforcing the springs with an additional
spring inside the existing one. Others have changed seals, brake fluid
etc.


By the way, Matco informed me that the wheels and brakes are the same
models as used on Spaceship One. I wonder which master cylinder was used
by Rutan. Also, what is used on the Liberty, which has finger brakes
like most of us.


Karl


From: "Alan Burrows" alan@kestrel-insurance.com 
Subject: Europa-List: Tri gear Brake Problems 
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 12:33:49 +0100 

-- Europa-List message posted by: "Alan Burrows"
alan@kestrel-insurance.com 


Hi Guys 
Yesterday I was due to fly to Prestwick and as I taxied around to the 
runway, in 38kts of wind the aircraft locked the port wheel when I 
applied a good amount of pressure to the finger brakes, trying to turn a

corner against the wind. Now this aint funny at a busy commercial 
airport in driving wind and rain..! The brake was locked on solid and 
the only way to free it was to remove the spats and slacken the bleed 
nipple to release enough pressure to allow the piston to be pushed back 
into the calliper. When I eventually made it back into the hanger I 
applied the brakes again with the same result. Each time I use any force

on the lever it locks up the port brake. I discovered that if I rock the

parking brake lever backwards and forwards several times it does free 
off the locked brake, so I guess the problem lies in there somewhere. I 
will know more when I strip it all down. But in the meantime if anyone 
has any suspicions of the levers feeling unusual or not returning 
properly BE CAREFUL the next stage may be a lock up as I experienced in 
the worst possible conditions. I suggest you give your levers a real 
hard pull just to make sure they don't lock on..! 
I will publish more when I have some diagnosis. 
Cheers for Now 

Alan 
G-CBWF 


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