FUSELAGE  September, 2009

In order to run the engine under load, I needed to get the prop installed, the prop controller installed and wired,  and the tail remounted, so I can install the rudder and then the brakes.   I don't want to run the engine with a prop unless I have working brakes.  This page is about the brakes.

Sep 3 - Received the gallon of MIL-H-83282 brake fluid.   Working on installing and bleeding brake fluid.  Leaks galore.  First, one of the Parflex line fitting was leaking at the reservoir tee.   I eventually figured out it was missing an o-ring, which I got at the local Ace Aircraft Supply Store.  Then, both sides were leaking at the firewall-mounted fittings because the nuts weren't even finger tight.  Then, both sides leaked at the fittings through the floor.  Again, both weren't even finger-tight, even though they were marked in orange sealant as "torqued".   Apparently, when I redid them as a result of re-redoing the fuel lines to accommodate the Eggenfellner fuel line system, I never tightened things up.  Torqued all AN nuts to 64 in lb.  Spent a huge amount of time with the Miti-Vac system, trying to pull the air out of the lines.  In hindsight, I should have done it as the Van's manual suggested; get a pump-type oil can and pump the fluid up from the calipers, rather than trying to suck the air down to the calipers with the Miti-Vac.  Finally got most, but not all, of the air out.  Gave up on that & will get Karla to help me bleed the brakes the old-fashioned way.  8.0 hr

  Here's the brake fluid and my home-made tool for moving the fluid around.   I bought a turkey baster at the supermarket and hot-glued some copper tubing into the end of it.

  This one was leaking because the o-ring was missing.  I don't know if I never installed it or, more likely, it got misplaced when I removed these lines some time ago to tighten the tee into the reservoir.  This shows how the parts go together.

Sep 4 - Karla helped bleed LT side the old-fashioned way, then we quit & went flying instead.  0.5 hr

Sep 7 - Karla helped bleed RT side.  Good brake pedal, left and right, pilot and co-pilot.  0.5 hr

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