Speed brake cables

[Todd423]

I'm looking for anyone that has replaced the older Precise Flight speed brake cables. I'm wondering if McFarlane might be able to make a set.  I'm also trying to determine if they are required equipment or if I can placard them inoperative until I can find replacements or upgrade to the all electric speed brakes. The POH suggests they are optional equipment and I cannot find a MEL published for the plane. It's a M20K.

Thanks,

Todd

[PT20J]

There is no MEL. The Kinds of Operation Equipment List in the Limitations section of the POH/AFM is the FAA-approved list of required equipment. (Note the footer on the pages in the limitations section).

If it's not required, just deactivate it and label it inop.

It shouldn't be too difficult to have cables fabricated if you remove the originals. I'd talk it over with my A&P first so that he/she is comfortable with the replacement plan.

[IvanP]

Is it broken or just sticking? Tri-flow works wonders on cables like these. Maybe they can be salvaged. I looked into possibly replacing cables on my plane last year but could not find them. Precise Flight does not offer any assiatnce for those with old systems. PLease post solution if you find some. 

[Z W]

I bought one of these cable lubrication tools for an auto project.  Designed to force lubricant through a cable. Didn't end up using it, but have wondered about its aviation applications with some tri flow:

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Motorcycle-Motorcycles-Bicycle-Scooter/dp/B08P5CJL5P?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=A3LHXGCCBRRIJN&th=1

[kortopates]

It’ll be a cable housing issue not a lubrication one. The cables become brittle, crack and fall apart. Housing material won’t be hard to source but getting it with the bulkhead fittings is the challenge. i got my replacements years ago from Precise.
I’d look on McMaster-carr site.


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[Todd423]

Yes, they've become very brittle and one outer jacket has started to unwind. I'll look at McMaster-Carr. Didn't think about that!

Todd

[M Terry]

Don't Get the electric ones from precise flight. They are good for about 12 minutes of use before you have to pull them and send them back for a 3000 dollar repair, or more likely, just be told they need to be replaced. if you have something that works with a cable and a lever, stick with it.

[MikeOH]

55 minutes ago, M Terry said:

Don't Get the electric ones from precise flight. They are good for about 12 minutes of use before you have to pull them and send them back for a 3000 dollar repair, or more likely, just be told they need to be replaced. if you have something that works with a cable and a lever, stick with it.

Hmm, SEVEN YEARS ago I bought my plane with Precise Flight electric ones already installed.  They've not given me one single problem; I exercise them as part of my preflight before every flight.  I don't use them every flight but they have deployed and retracted flawlessly whenever I have used them in flight.

[LANCECASPER]

9 hours ago, M Terry said:

Don't Get the electric ones from precise flight. They are good for about 12 minutes of use before you have to pull them and send them back for a 3000 dollar repair, or more likely, just be told they need to be replaced. if you have something that works with a cable and a lever, stick with it.

When people follow the instructions for continued airworthiness on the speed brakes they work well for many years.

Page 25 of the first document (Installation Manual) : https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IeF6PBfw18xh6V-K8m-GDY9TWx6nMldJ

[Fly Boomer]

3 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

When people follow the instructions for continued airworthiness on the speed brakes they work well for many years.

Page 25: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IeF6PBfw18xh6V-K8m-GDY9TWx6nMldJ

I don't know which document to download.

[Pinecone]

9 hours ago, M Terry said:

Don't Get the electric ones from precise flight. They are good for about 12 minutes of use before you have to pull them and send them back for a 3000 dollar repair, or more likely, just be told they need to be replaced. if you have something that works with a cable and a lever, stick with it.

The non-electric ones use vacuum, not a lever.

The previous owner installed the electric ones in Dec 2017.  I have had the plane for about 2.5 years.  They are working fine.

[LANCECASPER]

3 hours ago, Fly Boomer said:

I don't know which document to download.

First document - installation manual

make sure you use Aeroshell 22 and never a spray lubricant

[PT20J]

It only takes a dab of grease and you can do it from the top without removing the cartridges using a coffee stir stick. The problem with the speed brakes is that they are exposed to the elements and some of the electrical parts are not hermetically sealed. 

[Aerodon]

4 hours ago, Pinecone said:

The non-electric ones use vacuum, not a lever.

The previous owner installed the electric ones in Dec 2017.  I have had the plane for about 2.5 years.  They are working fine.

The very early ones had a lever.  And the experimental version ones had an electric motor in the centre of the fuselage to wind up the cable.  I have a vacuum version and plan to keep it operational as long as possible.  

 

Aerodon

 

 

 

[Pinecone]

19 hours ago, Aerodon said:

The very early ones had a lever.  And the experimental version ones had an electric motor in the centre of the fuselage to wind up the cable.  I have a vacuum version and plan to keep it operational as long as possible.  

Thanks for the info.

I am happy that the previous owner switched to electric.  No vacuum in my plane at all now.

[Todd423]

I,m looking for any information on the 4021 Speed Brake Kit. STC SA 2174 NM.

 

Todd