- Joined
- Mar 12, 2016
- Messages
- 126
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Last winter my left toe brake sank to the floor with minimal effectiveness as I applied the brake when the temperatures were quite cold (Michigan).
No brake fluid was seen at the base of the wheel, the engine or in the cockpit. The plane is hangared and I use a heater to keep keep the avionics from freezing.
My mechanic suspected that the o-rings had hardened in the cold, and that the fluid was leaking past the o-ring/s. He further suspected that the brake would return to normal once the temperatures warmed up.
He was correct. Once the temperatures warmed above freezing, the left toe brake pressure returned.
The plane is in for annual and he will be replacing the o-rings.
He also mentioned he uses a pressurized fluid system that will make the process much easier.
I just found this interesting and thought I'd mention it for future reference.
No brake fluid was seen at the base of the wheel, the engine or in the cockpit. The plane is hangared and I use a heater to keep keep the avionics from freezing.
My mechanic suspected that the o-rings had hardened in the cold, and that the fluid was leaking past the o-ring/s. He further suspected that the brake would return to normal once the temperatures warmed up.
He was correct. Once the temperatures warmed above freezing, the left toe brake pressure returned.
The plane is in for annual and he will be replacing the o-rings.
He also mentioned he uses a pressurized fluid system that will make the process much easier.
I just found this interesting and thought I'd mention it for future reference.
