When I went flying on Thanksgiving the left brake wasn't working. I only use them for taxiing and running up the motor, for pre-flight checks, so I went flying anyway. They are heel operated and I'm getting better at using them. I just think if you need them on landing you really need to get back in the air. I'm sure the day will come when I have to use them after landing.
The way they work is, the Brake, Line, and Reservoir are filled with fluid, held in by the Diaphragm and Filler Plug. When you push the pedal the plunger pushes on the diaphragm forcing fluid to expand the tube in the brakes. This pushes the Brake Pads against the Brake Drum, very simple. If the Filler plug comes loose the fluid just squirts out and that brake is dead. That was why my brake was dead. The gasket had gotten very hard and the plug came loose, so I made a new gasket, problem solved.
In the Fly Baby the cylinders are under the floor board. There is a hole in the floorboard to access the filler pug but you need to lay on the floor under the fuel tank to get to it and add fluid, a real pain.
Instead I have a removable access panel under the cylinders. With a 5/8" crows foot wrench and a little work you can loosen or tighten the filler plug from under the plane. It takes bit of dexterity to screw it in or out with your finger tips, but not much more trouble than while laying on the floor.
I have a gooseneck oil can for filling the reservoir. It's much easier to fill it from below, then above, by using a piece of safety wire to hold the nozzle pointing down. You just hook it in the opening and slowly squirt until it starts to overflow. It's easy to see that it's full with a light and an inspection mirror.
I think I finally have all the air out of the brakes. They feel better than they have since I put it back together.
Now I just need a less windy day to go back to flying.
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