Mushy brakes

[Kim Geyer]

Parking brake valve could be swapping fluid from side to side. Not sure which valve the D model has but I had to rebuild the valves on 3 of our T337H’s

[n86121]

Going into Baltimore on AM, their GA runway was closed, so I had to mix it up with back to back 737's.

ATC had me doing 360's to the side of the morning rumba line into BWI waiting for a spot to break in.

The controller said, "86121, when you come out of your 360 I need you right on the tail of the 737 at your 2 o'clock. Can you maintain 120 to the runway, there will be another 737 behind you?"

I said, 86121, roger"

I always touch the brakes before takeoff, so knew they were good.

What I then learned was when you touch down at 120 mph and touch the brakes....
formerly incompressible water in the brake line instantly becomes steam,
and you lose your brake entirely.

I limped off, only able to sort of waddle to the left.

=====

Any moisture / snot will settle down toward the brake caliper.

I keep a little oil can with hydraulic fluid in tie down box.
With about 3 inch piece of PVC pipe that goes to the oil can and fits the brake fitting.

Handy to top off the hydraulic system, as well as brakes if needed.

First, using self bleeding kit, I press the brake down to blow out any snot that may have settled, which becomes visible in the PVC line.

THEN I pressure it back up with clean fluid.

[wslade2]

Moisture settling must have been what caused the pitting in the walls of my calipers.

may be good idea to intermittently bleed the brakes at some interval besides hardly ever.