Control Sticks Aligned & Brake Lines Leak Tested ( 2 hrs )
Aligned Control Sticks to be parallel w/in 1/8" top to bottom (vs slightly more than 1/4" orig) per Sect 36-14. Torqued Stick Link Pushrod. Removed Control Sticks to protect Grips/switches. Decided to perform leak test of brake lines fittings by using schraeder valve supplied for fuel tank leak testing. Simply replaced breather fitting on top of Brake Fluid Reservoir. Used soap bubbles on all brass elbows and compression fittings -- no leaks. Except at schraeder valve (installed w/o thd sealant to avoid contaminating reservoir). Convenient since this showed what a leak would looks like (see pic). Checked by removing plastic plug at bottom of Fuse (at gear leg exit) to confirm air flowing all the way through system. Moved brake pedals/master cyl's to insure air pressurizing all fittings. Sure was easier now to check for leaks than discovering once brake fluid added later. Van's Prod Support said hadn't thought about checking for leaks this way, so I sent pics w/ notes
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Control sticks interconnected
and parallel |
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| intentionally not sealed at schraeder valve |
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| plugged end of brake line |
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| no leak |
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| no leak |
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| No leaks at all 8 brass elbows, compression fittings |
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