since 1940

Aircraft Brake Disc and Lining Frequently Asked Questions

The brake linings on my Cessna don't fit. The rivet holes are off

If the rivet holes are off by 1/2 the diameter of the rivet hole then you have the wrong brake lining.
The only difference between the 066-10900 and the 066-10500 is the rivet hole spacing.

The 066-10500 (66-105) is for the Cleveland brake. The 066-10900 (66-109) is for the McCauley
brake.

Way back when we were using the asbestos brake linings the part numbers were:
Cleveland 66-30
McCauley 66-87

It is not uncommon to thing that the holes are off in the lining since they almost fit!

What is the difference between "organic" and "metallic" brake linings?

There are two types of brake linings generally used on small aircraft: organic and metallic.

Generally, smaller, lighter aircraft, such as the Cessna 182, use the organic lining; larger aircraft use the metallic lining.

Metallic Linings Metallic linings use a pin instead of a rivet. Backs of Rapco linings are zinc chromate primed for corrosion protection. Cleveland is bare steel.

Organic Linings Organic linings are riveted onto backplate. Notice holes go all the way through on the organic lining

How do I "break-in" new brake linings and discs?

RAPCO, Inc. Brake Disc Wear-in Procedure

Dear Brake Customer:

Our normal break-in procedure for brake discs using the Rapco, Inc. RA164- discs, is to get the friction material hot (Approx. 850 Deg. F.) by performing the following:

Use proper maintenance techniques by insuring that the friction material is completely clean and dry of all solvents and hydraulic fluid
Perform a moderate-speed taxi (10-15Kts ground speed), insuring that you have proper braking (There will be very little brake action at first).
Allow the brake to cool by taxiing across the airport or down field, without using brakes. If you are not going to fly the aircraft during the break-in procedure, then allow the brakes to cool
for 45 min. until the next high-speed taxi stop.
Once you've established positive brake action, you can proceed to a full-stop landing using significant braking. (Short field landing procedure). At this time the pilot should notice the brakes starting to grab more. If this is sufficient braking action, there is no need for another stop cycle.
Perform another short field landing, leaving the landing gear extended throughout the landing pattern. This allows the brakes to cool properly before the next heat cycle. After this landing you should have significant brake action

Again, thank you for choosing Rapco, Inc. quality products.

What brake disc or lining goes on my airplane

Click on the link below for our Brake Application Selector. When finished press the BACK button on your browser

Brake Application Selector

Do you sell Stainless Steel brake discs?

No. Currently there is no stainless steel brake disc being manufactured and there are no brake
linings available for existing stainless steel discs.

Stainless steel brake disc were made by a small company that never made any brake linings for them. At the time the existing Cleveland or Rapco brake linings worked adequately. However, these were asbestos brake linings. When Cleveland and Rapco moved to non-asbestos linings they would not work on stainless. Cleveland and Rapco specifically state not to use their linings in stainless steel discs.

The problem occurs on high-energy stops when the brake disc heats up. Stainless steel does not conduct heat away from the lining as well as other steels. Overheating of the brake lining on high-energy stops with stainless steel discs caused the linings to fail and prevented adequate stopping performance.

What about chrome discs?

Their fine for those who don't fly because they don't rust. However, in regular usage the chrome is quickly worn thru and you're back to steel.

Copyright 2003 by Sacramento Sky Ranch Inc. All rights reserved.  Prices subject to change without notice. Not responsible for typographical or misprint.
Disclaimer: sacskyranch.com contains abundant information relating to aircraft maintenance. The information provided  is not intended to supercede or supplement the F.A.A. approved  maintenance and/or operator’s manuals. Those F.A.A. approved manuals must be utilized when performing maintenance and/or operating aircraft.