Brake Cylinder Resevoir Question

[DaV8or]

On my vintage Mooney the brake cylinder resevoir is mounted inside behind the firewall. This was fine when the plane was new, but since it was modified with the LASAR 201 winshield, there is now no user access what so ever. Checking, or topping off the resevoir requires removal of instruments. For folks with this mod, is there a better solution? Can the resevoir tube be routed through the firewall and out into the engine compartment? It really seems to me that this should have been delt with better under the STC. Here's a picture of my situation-

[Shadrach]

That sucks. Where is it mounted on J models? I'd see about moving it if possible.  The SWTA mod allows outside access (albeit far more limited than the original windshield). I'm surprised the Lasar mod is not set up the same way.

[1964-M20E]

You are right it should have been take care of during installation.  I have seen others where they left a small corner at the base of the windshield which is removable from outside to access the reservoir similar to the original panel but much smaller.  Not much help now but an idea.

I would like to have the 201 windshield I think they look real good but your problem is one reason I am hesitant besides the $.  I’m sure there are other items where access is now greatly limited.

 

 

[Magnum]

Quote: Shadrach

That sucks. Where is it mounted on J models? I'd see about moving it if possible.  The SWTA mod allows outside access (albeit far more limited than the original windshield). I'm surprised the Lasar mod is not set up the same way.

[Scott Aviation]

On the 201 the brake resevor is mounted in the avionics bay above the battery and there is a 1/4 plastic tube that runs under the belly to the brake pistons, this is a very convient spot for servicing and would not take much to relocate on yours Dave

[DaV8or]

Quote: JimR

You might want to check your STC, Dave, to make sure that your installation is in compliance.  

Jim

[DaV8or]

New light has been shed on my problem here. A review of the logs shows that when the windsheild was installed in 1986, they entered the STC number in the log. A search of the FAA website revealed that the windshield mod is a SWTA 201 and not a LASAR 201 as I had thought. I called Russell at SWTA and he told me that they never sold the 201 windshield without the little access panels in the STC. If the morons that installed this thing had followed the STC, there would be little access panels where I could service the reservoir. My theory is the owner bought the SWTA kit either because it was cheaper or more reddily available than the LASAR kit and opted not to put in the access panels because he didn't like the look of them.

Russell says that to put the access panels in now would require removing the entire install and starting over. The LASAR mod includes plumbing to put a valve and vent through the firewall, but of course I don't have an STC for the LASAR install. Moving the reservoir to the back of the plane is not really possible because of the hydraulic flaps being shared by it. Also explaned is the mysterious holes I have in the top of my fuselage just ahead of the windshield (see photos). These are jigging holes used when they cut the aluminum for the mod kit. The area where the holes are is to be cut away and replaced by the access panels. These holes go straight through to the avionics. That's right, water can just drip right in. Again, the F'n boobs that installed this thing didn't even bother filling the holes with a rivet or something. Then in 1994 when they repainted the plane, they still didn't fill them! Who does stuff like this!!?

Anyways, the helpful people at LASAR are looking to see how they can possibly help me out here.

[Shadrach]

Dave, that totally sucks. Why would the fact that the hydraulic flaps share the reservoir cause an issue? Hopefully Paul can get you squared away. Do the logs not show who did the install???  

[N33GG]

I am pretty sure it was a situation similar to this that gave birth to the now common phrase "OH S##T".

Sorry to hear about this one Dave, and I hope you can get a relatively painless solution. 

[DaV8or]

Quote: Shadrach

Do the logs not show who did the install???  

[DaV8or]

Quote: N6719N

I am pretty sure it was a situation similar to this that gave birth to the now common phrase "OH S##T".

Sorry to hear about this one Dave, and I hope you can get a relatively painless solution. 

[scottfromiowa]

Sorry to hear this Dave.  I have the SWTA 201-like cowl with side-access.  I'm sure yours looks cleaner than mine...and is cleaner inside what with the wash access holes...that's a head scratcher.  On a "lighter" note lite-bezel's going in tomorrow.  I will shoot some photo/video in the darkened hanger to show how they look/function.  Fingers crossed after nu-lite's NOT working.

[flhelo]

Mine windshield was done prior to my ownership. It has the line that goes thru the firewall. Man, I sure hope your instruments are ok.  Maybe a dab of Pro-seal will take care of the holes.