Jump to content

STC for Brake Caliper Reversal on M20E

N9240M

By N9240M
in Vintage Mooneys (pre-J models)

 Share

Recommended Posts

N9240M Contributor

N9240M

Posted
Posted

During my recent (first) owner-assist annual, I realized how much the brake calipers really hang out in the breeze on my E and started thinking about the caliper reversal STC.  Who owns that...LASAR?  Does it work? 


Another option - is there such a thing as an STC to add inner gear doors that have the fairing over the brakes like the J+ models?  Comparing mine to a hangar neighbor's J, it looks like the main door pushrod geometry is slightly different, but the parts look the same.  Perhaps it could be as easy as simply installing the J parts on there with little or no modification?


 


Thanks!

N207LS Rising Star

N207LS

Posted
Posted

My Mooney has the brake caliper reversal STC.  It is a Southwest Texas STC if I remember correctly.  I will verify in the logs and confirm.  Also, the inner gear doors are available for the pre-J Mooney's as an additional modification.  I never added them to mine mainly due to the fact that I regularly fly in and out of grass fields, some that are better than others.  If you do not use grass fields, then I would encourage that modification instead of the brake caliper reversal.  Just my opinion though.

TurboExec Collaborator

TurboExec

Posted
Posted

I've got the brake caliper rotation on mine and after seeing it in both positions I can't imagine how it doesn't make a difference.  Before they were really hanging out in the breeze, not at least it retracts into the wheel well nearly all the way.  I didn't opt for the inner gear doors for the same reasons as Aaron, I occasionally operate out of grass strips...

N9240M Contributor

N9240M

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I ordered the brake STC from LASAR yesterday...if it gets here by the weekend, I will try to get it installed and signed off before the weekend is out and post some pics.

Lood Mentor

Lood

Posted
Posted

Pardon my ignorance. I know about this STC, but I have'nt been able to find out to what position the calipers are actually moved. I'm trying to figure out whether it has been done on my Mooney or not. So, are they moved from the front to the back or vica - versa? The ones on my Mooney are currently at the back.

N9240M Contributor

N9240M

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Lood, I must confess, I'm in the same boat. I have no idea how it's supposed to work, but there are no new parts involved.  I should have received the paperwork from LASAR on Friday, but there was an envelope mix-up in the shipping department. I got someone's M20TN keys instead.  Maybe by next weekend...

N9240M Contributor

N9240M

Posted
  • Author
Posted

You're probably right, Jim.  With the gear up, the wheels hang slightly downward to the back, putting the calipers out there in the wind. If the calipers are moved forward, they would go further up into the wheel well.

  • 1 year later...
MARZ Mentor

MARZ

Posted
Posted

Quote: TurboExec

Jim is correct.  It moves the calipers from the back to the front.  They still end up out in the wind slightly, but nothing like before.

  • 3 years later...
xcrmckenna Veteran

xcrmckenna

Posted
Posted

I know this is an old thread but I've been trying to read every thread posted to get as much knowledge as I can while I look for my plane. And so many of you have been very helpful. I've read about the brake conversion but yet to see the before and after pictures. I was just wondering if anyone had them. And if people noticed less braking power with them moved to the front of the caliper. I've read mooney brakes are not stellar to begin with. Thanks

N601RX Grand Master

N601RX

Posted
Posted

I swapped mine about 3 years ago. The paperwork cost less than $50 then. Its just a matter of drilling some new mounting holes in the caliper bracket. It moves the caliper from the rear of the wheel to the front of the wheel. It doesn't change the breaking power, but does make then easy to look at on preflight.

carusoam Grand Master

carusoam

Posted
Posted

Mooney brakes aren't stellar?

They are great as far as back wheel disc brakes go. Similar to using an E-brake in a typical road car.

They break smoothly and predictably until they lock up.

If yours aren't stellar, in this respect, there is some known fluid replacement challenges than can be done.

Best regards,

-a-

xcrmckenna Veteran

xcrmckenna

Posted
Posted

That would be great Daver328, a picture during annual with them tucked up would be great too if anyone has them. Scott I have been trying to look up the Cleavland breaks, I haven't found what exactly they entail. Are they a full change, larger rotor, caliper and pads?

Thanks again guys.

  • Like 1
scottfromiowa Grand Master

scottfromiowa

Posted
Posted

I will defer to somebody that did the swap and knows. Completed before I bought plane. I know the replacement cleveleand pads with rivets are about $14 bucks a piece on Spruce. If I had to guess it would be a swap of rotor, caliper and brake media.

MB65E Grand Master

MB65E

Posted
Posted

I believe the parts stay the same during the STC. For what it's worth, The brake parts that ware, ie pads and rotors have two manufactures. Rapco and Cleveland, the parts are interchangable the prices I think are the only things that are not. Not going to get into which ones are better. The basic designe was made by Cleveland. Some of the early m20's may have had another manufacture, however now days it's almost all clevlands for GA airplanes.

Best,

-Matt

Marauder Grand Master

Marauder

Posted
Posted

My wife says I take lousy pictures ... But here they are ...

If I recall, you switch the mounting brackets from one side to another? ... moves the calipers to the front of the wheel.

Was it an extra 10mph? ️

For some reason I thought they would have been further forward. And BTW -- your wife is right! ;)

  • Like 3
N601RX Grand Master

N601RX

Posted
Posted

I didn't do test before and after, but there is a noticeable difference in how for it hangs down on the front vs back. It's also nice to have the caliper easily visible on the preflight.

Andy95W Grand Master

Andy95W

Posted
Posted

OK no BS be honest those that have moved the calipers did you pick up speed and if so how much.....really

No tangible speed increase, but you know, coupled with all of my other speed mods, it's well, you know, cumulative, so in the end, it is the cheapest speed mod, that may or may not do anything.

Does that help?

  • Like 1
xcrmckenna Veteran

xcrmckenna

Posted
Posted

OK no BS be honest those that have moved the calipers did you pick up speed and if so how much.....really

I don't know what you're talking about.... I didn't know pilots would ever lie about their speed?!?!?!?:)

  • Like 1
Marauder Grand Master

Marauder

Posted
Posted

You are on THIN ice buddy .. talking about other people's pictures ...,considering your record of picture posting around here! --

Being on thin ice with girls I hang out with is a BAD thing!

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.