231 Speed Brake Issue

[Tankinbarber]

Hey Guys,

 

I was on a night flight back home to KHND from KSEE and noticed shortly after retracting my speed break the plane wanted to roll right. It was easy to correct the roll by applying left aileron. It was hard to see out of the window at night but I can barely make the red speed brake on the right wing still halfway out. I engaged the speed brakes again in which both deplyed to the full extent. I then retracted again but still had the same issue. I was in the decent at approximatley 160+ knots. I dont recall there being a speed brake limitation as long as you were not in the do not exceed speed. I leveled and slowed the plane down to 130knots to deploy my gear. Once the gear was down i slowed to 120 knots and attempted to pull the speed brakes in again at a much slower speed. At that time they retracted perfectly.

 

I consistently check the deployment and retraction of my speed braked in my runup and still have not seen any issues. It only seems to appear at high speeds.

 

Anyone experience this issue? Is there a quick fix or do I need to have a mechanic take a thorough look?

[DonMuncy]

Mine have failed to retract completely (sticking up an inch or so) a few times. I turned off the master switch and back on, and they retracted. I think there is something wrong, but not so bad or consistent to require a disassembly yet.

[aviatoreb]

I've had that - you probably need new springs.  This will likely be the least expensive repair you will ever have in your airplane!  That's the good news.  The bad news is you will pay $10 for springs that look like they cost $0.10 at the hardware store - but they are super easy to replace too.  Like 2 min of mechanic time.  Rounded up to 1 hour.  Still cheaper than most repairs.

 

Warning - if you ever accidentally find yourself in ice - don't use your speed brakes - I've hear that second hand.

[M20S Driver]

Hey Guys,

 

I was on a night flight back home to KHND from KSEE and noticed shortly after retracting my speed break the plane wanted to roll right. It was easy to correct the roll by applying left aileron. It was hard to see out of the window at night but I can barely make the red speed brake on the right wing still halfway out. I engaged the speed brakes again in which both deplyed to the full extent. I then retracted again but still had the same issue. I was in the decent at approximatley 160+ knots. I dont recall there being a speed brake limitation as long as you were not in the do not exceed speed. I leveled and slowed the plane down to 130knots to deploy my gear. Once the gear was down i slowed to 120 knots and attempted to pull the speed brakes in again at a much slower speed. At that time they retracted perfectly.

 

I consistently check the deployment and retraction of my speed braked in my runup and still have not seen any issues. It only seems to appear at high speeds.

 

Anyone experience this issue? Is there a quick fix or do I need to have a mechanic take a thorough look?

 

I had the same experience and it happened once  in an AM flight after rain and at 12500 feet (below freezing temp)..  My only guess is that i had some moisture around the micro switches that iced up...  That was 2 years ago and did not happen again.

[ArtVandelay]

If you pull the speed brake CB, they should forcibly retract, I had a similar problem, had mine adjusted and greased.

[jrwilson]

Try greasing them first. Did you recently wax the plane? I had mine waxed and some got in the spewed brakes and at altitude got cold and gummed up the works. Had an asymmetric retract. They eventually retracted fully. Cleaned and greased and it hadn't reoccured

[Tankinbarber]

If you pull the speed brake CB, they should forcibly retract, I had a similar problem, had mine adjusted and greased.

I have electric speed brakes

[Tankinbarber]

Try greasing them first. Did you recently wax the plane? I had mine waxed and some got in the spewed brakes and at altitude got cold and gummed up the works. Had an asymmetric retract. They eventually retracted fully. Cleaned and greased and it hadn't reoccured

That is probably the cause! THANKS!!!!!

[cbarry]

Make sure all of the screws around the frame of the brake that is not retracting completely are in fact there. I had the same issue only to find that two of the screws around the frame of the partially retracting brake were missing. I replaced them and have never had another partial retraction since. This maybe purely coincidental, but without all of the frame's screws being in place, the frame could be becoming slightly misaligned with the brake extended in flight and then not able to retract fully.

[anthonydesmet]

Also had the same issue with my right one the last few months.  I recommend before you do anything like applying grease or going right after the springs that you first find out what series speed brakes you have and give a call to Precise Flight for a copy of the ICA (Inspection for Continued Airworthiness) for your model of speed brakes. Then find out the last time your brakes were inspected in accordance with the ICA.  If electric your's are probably 2000 series.  As an example, mine were 1000 series.  I called Precise Flight and gave them my serial numbers. If the numbers aren't in your logbook you can see the number on the bottom of the speed brake box by pulling the access panel underneath the wing. You'll need a flashlight.  I called Precise Flight, Dan was able to look up when and to who my brakes were sold and installed and then emailed me the ICA.  My mechanic and I pulled them for the annual this month and long story short, cleaned out an obscene amount of dirt and grime from the vacuum tubes.  Reinstalled and they work like brand new, they deploy evenly, smoothly and "lightening quick" whether at 120 knots or 175ktas at 15000ft.  No new springs or grease required.  Also, be careful on what you use for lube, when I originaly researched my issue I think I found that Precise Flight recommends a specific lube.......It's amazing how equipment works when it is inspected and maintained according to the original manufacturing design.....