With the wavy washers to dampen the front wheels, they will stay straight even after your rudder loses effectiveness. Just make sure you kill your engine, when it slows down. And of course don't be leaning hard on the good brake once you lose your rudder authority.
The good news is that my lines did not brake due to abrasion in that retainer area. In fact, after 500 + hours, and checking regularly, there is no detectable abrasion. I think I just had a defective or poor quality brake line (original pre-builts installation). One time it broke in the cabin, squirting fluid, and the other time just above where it attached to the brake assembly at the wheel, but not where it could touch anything. When they go, you know right away as you have no pedal pressure, and you need to think fast then about what to do when you slow down (ie shut off your engine).
Also, you want to be sure your brake assembly (and retainer) is on the outside side of your floats, so you can have your axle grease nipple easily accessible.
As for gear joint wear and tear, mine are still solid with no play after 500 hours. Most of my landings are on pavement, but have had a small number on some very rough fields, too. I think the key here is to have very stiff suspension, so you never bottom out. I have seen some others that were loose, but I think it was because they had the wrong pucks, and were not stiff enough. To lubricate, I just smear grease on the joints (very messy), but seems to work. Mine spend time in salt water too. I fully expected my gear and bearings to be worn out by now, but they are all still good.
Walter
----- Original Message -----
From: Ken <klehman@albedo.net>
Date: Friday, December 5, 2008 9:38 am
Subject: [rebel-builders] amphib 1800 brake line
To: rebel-builders@dcsol.com
I've been puzzling over routing the amphib brake line to the
wheel
cylinder to minimize abrasion. At the very least I have to move
the
brake line retainer on the side of the wheel well a bit more
towards the
top of the float than the manual shows. However the line will
still rub
the thick washer at the top of the doughnut/spring assembly with
the
wheels down.
Unless someone has a better idea, my question is how often does
the
plastic line have to be replaced due to abrasion or is it much
of a
concern? Loss of brakes could end badly on the amphibs.
Ken
FWIW I've also used one size longer bolt than spec'd for most of
the
main gear moving joints to get full engagement of the smooth
bolt shanks
in the moving parts. Perhaps I'm too picky but these aluminum
parts
don't have bushings and are not real easy to service or lubricate.
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