Return-Path: Received: from cdihost.cdicorp.com ([207.79.152.5]) by truman.olsusa.com (Post.Office MTA v3.5.1 release 219 ID# 0-52269U2500L250S0V35) with SMTP id com for ; Wed, 29 Sep 1999 11:25:35 -0400 Received: from JUPITER by cdihost.cdicorp.com via smtpd (for ns1.olsusa.com [205.245.9.2]) with SMTP; 29 Sep 1999 15:29:33 UT Received: from cdim-pts-mail.cdicorp.com (CDIM-PTS-MAIL [172.17.131.3]) by jupiter.cdicorp.com with SMTP (Microsoft Exchange Internet Mail Service Version 5.5.2448.0) id TMB9ZHQ2; Wed, 29 Sep 1999 11:29:18 -0400 Received: by CDIM-PTS-MAIL with Internet Mail Service (5.5.2448.0) id ; Wed, 29 Sep 1999 11:27:06 -0400 Message-ID: From: "Rumburg, William" To: "'lancair.list@olsusa.com'" Subject: Matco Brakes on LNC 2 Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1999 11:27:06 -0400 X-Mailing-List: lancair.list@olsusa.com Mime-Version: 1.0 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> Marv - My Lancair 320 kit was purchased over ten years ago, so I have the older Matco MC-1 brake cylinders. According to Matco, the MC-1 hasn't been manufactured for over five years now, but they fully support rebuilding existing ones. Although mine have been in service only two years, the system has been filled for five years and the components sat on the shelf for three years prior to that. After you start flying and as your cylinders age, you'll become more conscious of possible brake failure, especially at the wrong time. Here is my recent experience for the benefit of all: About three weeks ago, I started the engine for a local flight up the coast. Before starting, I depressed the brakes and they felt solid. During taxi out, however, one brake failed and "went to the floor". The plane almost did a loop before I was able to stop the engine, that's how critical differential braking is to steering. Still, that was a good time for it to have happened, NOT during takeoff, landing or away from home. Differential braking enables good steering of the plane and furthermore, it cannot be operated without and braking failure at the wrong time could even be fatal! I ordered rebuild kits from Lancair, but they sent complete new (MC-5) brake cylinders. I let them sit around awhile and then said "what the heck, I'll install the new ones". Well, there was just enough design difference that they wouldn't physically fit my older (MC-1) installation without rework. So, I again contacted Lancair and this time received rebuild kits for MC-1 cylinders. There are the usual O-rings to replace. Then you'll find that the actuating piston has to be removed from the stem. An extra small pair of snap ring pliers is required. A glued-in rubber plug at the tip of the stem seals a hole in the top of the piston....NOT a good design. Furthermore, the plug's length is critical to proper sealing. (Matco is notorious for poor designs, why do you think they've gone from the MC-1 to the MC-5 in ten years?). When I found that the snap ring securing the piston was undersized and wouldn't hold it securely on the stem, I called Matco and they recommended returning them for rebuilding. The worst part of all this is that I don't know how to predict this type of brake failure. Maybe just automatically rebuild them after five years or ???? Bill Rumburg N403WR (Sonic bOOm) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html