Brake Lines
 

My RV3 has the plastic brake lines with the compression fittings. I have had
leak problems at the point where the line connects to the wheel cylinder. My
lines run thru some very nicely done fiberglass gear fairings. If I ever need
to replace the plastic line thru the fairing will it be possible? Is it common
to use other type of lines like aluminum and terminate in 303 hose for
example. Any advice appreciated. I have a new leak I just discovered
yesterday and haven't investigated the scource or exact problem yet.

Thanks
Jim Miller

If you are using 3/16" Nylaflow, make sure you have inserts in the fittings. I have never had any leaks using the inserts. P.N. 2030-4 here
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...lickkey=157269

Hi Jim,

The "Van's standard" (these days) is to use aluminum tubing from the firewall down to the brake calipers, with a loop down around the axle to give flexibility. Many folks use flexible hoses all the way, others use the aluminum tubing down to near the axle, then a short length of flexible hose. Best I have been able to tell, they all work.

I understand that earlier in the lineage, the plastic lines were used per plans, and many are still flying that way.

All three of our RV's have aluminum tubing all the way, and we have had no issues.

Paul

Jim,

I replaced all my plastic brake hoses on my RV-4 with Aeroquip -3 Teflon Racing Hose, P/N FCC 0315 (15 ft) using the appropriate Aeroquip fittings. No leaks in 3 years.

Mitch Garner

RV-4 flying

My immediate problem is not using the inserts. I will try to find some locally.
Its also good to know about the other options. The teflon racing hose sounds
like a easy way to go if I can get it down the fairing covered gear leg. My RV3 first lew in 1989 so the lines are getting old.

Thanks all for the help.

Jim Miller

Jim, I have a few of the inserts that I'll pop in the mail if you want them - PM me your address. I used braided teflon hoses inside my 9A and am running aluminum hard lines to the calipers. No plans to use the Nylaflow stuff that came in my kit.

Kirt
Thanks a lot for the offer. When I got my RV3 the owner gave me all his
extensive collection of aircraft hardware and I found some in it. I have them
installed with the inserts and hopefully my problem is over for a while. In the future i am going to upgrade to something similar to your set-up.

Jim Miller

Jim, I'm sure you've thought of this, but you can use the nylo tube to pull the ?" aluminum tube through your gear leg fairings--maybe. Assuming they weren't taped to the gear leg. Could be your easiest option if it goes through the gear legs. I would use a small piece of a threaded rod to screw into both the nylo and the aluminum to pull it through.

That's a good idea and it may come to that someday. The end exiting is
inside a black rubber tube that could be a conduit I need to look closer at
the other end to see if it has the rubber tube also.

Thanks
Jim Miller

Jim - you are aware the fairings come off, or at least they should. There should be a hinge pin. It might be hard to see. It also should be safety wired through a hole in the bottom of the fairing or secured in some other manner. I have aluminum lines secured to the gear legs by three short lengths of split plastic tubing taped around the gear leg. The tubing I.D. is larger than the aluminum lines allowing the aluminum line to float and move as the gear flex's. This was standard practice in the day.