Odd Brake Failure

[Tim-NJ]

Originally Posted by N941WR

It looks like the brake disk was touching the pant bracket and it took that time to crack and fail.

I replaced all those nylock nuts with metal locknuts some time ago. The reason is that they get warm and loosen due to the heat from the brake rotor. Once they loosen, the bracket is free to move around.

Bill - I've been thinking about your post a lot because the nylock nuts were loose enough to allow play and I thought that was purposeful. They were loose enough to allow the bracket to slide around a bit. Bit = a little fore/aft but no noticeable lateral movement. When I checked the pilot side yesterday, they were also slightly loose to allow some movement.

I'll get some locknuts, I assume you got the ones with a star washer attached and not the ones with a distorted thread.

[Tim-NJ]

Originally Posted by N804RV

My guess is someone stepped on your wheel pant and cracked the attachment. It was touching the brake disc and eventually was worn through. That thing coming apart caused the brake failure. But, thats just a guess based on the pictures.

I did have it in the shop last month for a new radio and an ADS-B install.
I cleaned up the wheel pants yesterday after reading Vlad's post and didn't find any physical damage although I don't think stepping on it would leave obvious physical damage. Brackets are all damage free.

One thing I'll mention is that when I relined last fall, this side was missing safety wire on the two bolts that go through the brake assembly. I don't remember consciously looking for broken safety wire that could have been stuck somewhere (Amateur lesson on my part) but there isn't really any place for it to hide either.

Anyway, I'm off today and think I will celebrate Presidents Day by disassembling the brake and wheel.

[BobTurner]

Originally Posted by Tim-NJ

Bill -

I'll get some locknuts, I assume you got the ones with a star washer attached and not the ones with a distorted thread.

Except for some electrical applications (where you want a washer to bite thru any oxidation layer) most people use the distorted thread locknuts. The star washer may set up corrosion issues down the road.

[Tim-NJ]

Thx Bob, I?ll go distorted.