Brake pad wear (inquiry)

[Kahuna]

Originally Posted by sglynn

Geeezzzz I got 500 hours on my last pair on a Cherokee PA28-236. My RV is still in work but only 100 hours for pads? Really?

There is a huge difference between castoring and steering nose wheels as you know. RV A models wheel breaks wear out very fast for the novice, unless you try hard not to. Use FULL rudder before touching a brake if your trying to turn.
Comparing hours is not particularly useful as taxi conditions, length of taxi, typical onboard weight, all have a LOT to do with break wear. You should get more than 75 hours, and you will as you improve techniques and become conscious of your brake saving efforts.

[RV Jerry]

If pads have worn that rapidly be prepaired to replace rotors

[rightrudder]

Originally Posted by Kahuna

Comparing hours is not particularly useful as taxi conditions, length of taxi, typical onboard weight, all have a LOT to do with break wear.

So true. The rental Diamond DA-20 I trained on (differential braking on the mains and free-castering nose wheel, like the Van's -As) went through a lot of pads at John Wayne (KSNA), with contributing factors of a crosswind on the taxiway, a roughly 1-mile taxi (!) from the school to the runway, a smaller rudder than the RVs and, of course, some student inexperience.

Also, we were taught to taxi somewhat slowly, reducing the effectiveness of the rudder...and building that Hobbs time. Taxiing the DA-20 was the hardest part of operating the plane! You'd feel guilty riding one brake or the other, but sometimes it was the only way to maintain directional control.

[rzbill]

I replaced my first set at 120hrs. Then I turned the idle speed down and got off the brakes. Next set lasted 2 years (about 240 hrs). I think improved technique will do even better on the current set.

As a side note, now I get the exhaust pop that I understand is common to RVs in the pattern. Did not have that before lowering the idle speed.

[jay bell]

I wore out and replaced my first set of brake pads after my first 100 hours, and I resolved to keep my feet on the sides of the rudder pedals unless brakes are absolutely required. I just completed my second annual after flying an additional 90 hours, and the brake pads were only wore about 25%

The Cherokee has a steerable nose wheel, so it is not a fair comparison. Are there any Grumman owners out there who could advise what kind of brake pad life they expect?

Jay
RV-7A

[BCP Boys]

I don't see a huge problem with using your brakes all the time as long as you are willing to change them often. If you're using your brakes because you are landing fast and feel it's necessary to use them then I say, fine. There are those that fly in and out of long runways that hardly ever use their brakes and there are those who are constantly on them. Whatever your scenario is just be safe. Don't get too slow on final without a lot practice just because you want to save a few bucks on brakes liners. As you get more comfortable with your plane you will find that you will land shorter, taxi smarter and use your brakes only when it's absolutely necessary . . . until then, just be safe.

[GeneL]

My RV-7A does 500 landings on the tires (no tread left) and 650 landings on brakes with over 25% left. Home base is 4,000 ft., but many formation landings (no choice on landing distance). Prior to the 7A I had a Grumman Tiger so I learned to only tap the brakes after full rudder deflection.

[Champ]

We've got 60 hrs on our RV-8 and around 140 landings. I didn't plan on checking the brake pads until annual but today the left brake went down. The pads were so worn that the left side o-ring started to extrude. Pad rivets were worn and the disks were slightly grooved but not enough that they should be a problem.

I don't have any brake drag and learned early on to not ride the brakes when taxiing. Also have 3800 ft of paved runway at our home airport so little braking is required on landing. Many landings however have been stop & go's (practice), with backtracking and spinning the aircraft around at each end - perhaps this has contributed to the short pad life.

Anyway - I expect to go to ACS Canada Monday for pads and a rivet tool. I think ACS only has Rapco pads? Unless - anybody on VAF has a recommendation on longer life pads. Also - any other tips that might help to decrease pad wear?

[Steve Melton]

you will find the brakes pads are easy to replace. and you will find operational methods to minimize brake pad wear.

[PCHunt]

I'm surprised that no one has yet mentioned the issue of brake master cylinders not fully retracting when you lift your foot off the brake pedal.

Reams of info on VAF on this issue; people have added return springs, and changed to different mfg.

My favorite is Grove.

If the pedal doesn't fully retract, the brakes will drag, .......... and wear.

OTOH I think Dobro might have earned himself a new callsign:

"Leadfoot"