Weak RV-3 brakes

[swjohnsey]

I have an early RV-3 N93JP, 4th owner, I think. Anyway, I have been trying to get used to it, fly it just about every day for an hour or so. Brakes are really weak, won't hold on run-up beyond around 1,800 rpm.

It was built with 5" Cleveland brakes and Gerdes master cylinders. I have had both calipers off, pads are relatively new. O-rings were flat spotted and I have some replacements. Looks like one side might be leaking a little.

I had the tank out and took a look at the master cylinders but didn't do anything other than adjust the linkage so I wasn't on my tiptoes to brake. Should have adjusted it more, still on tip toes.

Any suggestions, hints?

 

[BobTurner]

Sounds like the new pads were not properly ?conditioned?. Instructions for conditioning can be found on the Cleveland web site. Don?t overdo it, though.

 

[Larry DeCamp]

Same issue

My brakes are Vans standard issue RV3B circa 2009. They will not hold a runup beyond 1,800. So, I bought bigger calipers for my -4 from Robbie Grove.

 

[swjohnsey]

What I was wondering.