BJohnson
Well Known Member
I just replaced the brake pads with a set from Vans on my Cleveland brakes about a month ago. I have about 8 landings on them. The other day I landed a bit fast and used moderate braking to stop. The right brake faded and the plane drifted left but was still under control. Taxiing back to the hanger I could smell a strong hot brake odor entering the cockpit that persisted during the short taxi to the hanger. Upon exit, the smell was more apparent. The next day I removed the pads and found a buildup on the pads as shown in the two photos linked here.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HVYqPlmHss3Bl2KB2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/N7uy5PPp1ccu43m72
The buildup was easily removed with light sanding. The pins also required cleaning. There was no evidence of any fluid leak. But the was more discoloring of the primer on the wheel pants bracket than I remember from the condition inspection. Things did get hot pretty quickly.
After installing the new pads, when tightening the two bolts on the caliper, something happened that caused a momentary fluid leak. I removed the bolts, and reinstalled them taking care that everything was aligned right. The leak has not occurred again.
What could have caused this brake to overheat and what is the buildup on the pad? I have applied much harder braking on the previous pads without this occurring.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HVYqPlmHss3Bl2KB2
https://photos.app.goo.gl/N7uy5PPp1ccu43m72
The buildup was easily removed with light sanding. The pins also required cleaning. There was no evidence of any fluid leak. But the was more discoloring of the primer on the wheel pants bracket than I remember from the condition inspection. Things did get hot pretty quickly.
After installing the new pads, when tightening the two bolts on the caliper, something happened that caused a momentary fluid leak. I removed the bolts, and reinstalled them taking care that everything was aligned right. The leak has not occurred again.
What could have caused this brake to overheat and what is the buildup on the pad? I have applied much harder braking on the previous pads without this occurring.