Master cylinder reservoir
 

Has anyone installed the individual hydraulic reservoirs directly on the brake master cylinders? And if so, how is it working out so far? Pro's/Con's?

I did. Not RV8 though...Working great for almost 700 hours.





The only challenge is checking fluid level.

Many have on the -8. I have and works fine. I installed 1/8 fittings on top so when it comes time to exchange the fluid I can connect a line to it and fill from the brake calipers without making a mess.

They work fine
 

I have independent reservoirs on my RV-8. They have worked perfectly for over 1200 hours. I remove the front baggage compartment floor to check or add to the fluid levels. It is a little bit inconvenient, but doesn't need to be done very often. I use hex-head 832 machine screws to hold down both front and rear baggage compartment floors. They can be installed/removed easily with a small socket attached to a flex drive and an electric screwdriver.

Dan Miller
RV-8, IO-360M1, WW 200RV prop

I used the stock reservoir & firewall location. Then I 'discovered' the direct mount reservoirs.:( I would have gone with them just to save on the plumbing, etc.
I agree with Dan on the baggage floor. I use allen head capscrews instead of hex head, but the idea is the same. Those philips head screws wear out too easily. I use allen head capscrews on a lot of the inner panels that require frequent removal.

thanks for the input guys! I ordered a pair of reservoirs from Aircraft spruce. And my plane is already built and the baggage compartment floor is installed with screws and I have had it out a couple times fixing leaks and doing some rerouting.

Wasn't there an issue with rudder/pedal travel (master cylinders hitting the firewall) if the pedals are set forward? As I am quite tall, this would be the only concern I would have.

Thanks for the heads up on that Paul! I will check it before installation!

Yes, I have ground adjustable rudder pedals and can not set them full forward.

No big deal for me, but could be a concern for taller Pilots.

You can relocate the reservoir to the corner of the front baggage compartment, run a hard line to a splitter, then run SS braided teflon lines down to the master cylinders.