Thanks, Lynn for the brake tips. 

 

I'll make it a point to change the "O" ring when I change the brake pads.  Yes, I have noticed the difference in pad wear, but could never figure out why. 

 

Ed

 

 

The single piston slider type calipers rely to some extent on rotor runout to help knock back the pads, once pressure has been released. 

 

In aircraft applications this does not work worth a damn because the wheels are so light and are turned over so little. Also the slider mechanism has so much friction that the non piston pad almost always wears faster than the piston end pad. A plane used often has little difference in pad wear. Also when applying pressure the "O" ring seal will deform slightly as it is pushed along with the moving piston.

When pressure is released, the deformed "O" ring returns to normal and retracts the piston.

 

This may not move the slider end of the caliper at all. If there is some runout in the rotor, the rotor will knock back the slider end pad slightly. Even side loading the wheel will deform the assembly enough to knock the pads back.

 

If there is no flex line to connect the caliper to the fixed brake line, then the aluminum brake line must flex with each brake application. Aluminum has a very short fatigue life. The tighter the bend radius, the lower the pressure rating, and the shorter the fatigue life.

A racing tip. Fresh "O" rings keep the brake drag down.

 

 

Lynn E. Hanover