L2 parts

[Ragwing nut]

Anyone looking for L2 control system parts or brake pedal assemblies? I have extra of both. No extra sticks at this time.

[n6346m]

Do you have any parking brake parts? IF not do you know of anyone that could sell me some or at least let me borrow them to have some duplicated?

[Ragwing nut]

Which pieces? I know I have some of it.

[n6346m]

If you have an L-2B parts book they are Part # D-A510 Quadrant and D-A503 Lever assembly - parking brake. I have both of them in my airplane but they are somehow geometrically mismatched because they are supposed to somehow lock by magic until released but mine doesn't work. I have the drawing for the D-A510 part, but the drawing for the D-A503 is not on the drawings CD. I don't need it to hold very much just long enough for me to crawl out of the airplane and chock the wheels. A lot of places I go to are not level and it would be nice to have a parking brake. Even the refueling ramp at the Kenai airport is on a pretty good slope and by the time I crawl out (I'm 75 and don't move as fast as I used to) the airplane is on a pretty good roll. I appreciate any help or advice.

Bob Picard

[Ragwing nut]

If you have an L-2B parts book they are Part # D-A510 Quadrant and D-A503 Lever assembly - parking brake. I have both of them in my airplane but they are somehow geometrically mismatched because they are supposed to somehow lock by magic until released but mine doesn't work. I have the drawing for the D-A510 part, but the drawing for the D-A503 is not on the drawings CD. I don't need it to hold very much just long enough for me to crawl out of the airplane and chock the wheels. A lot of places I go to are not level and it would be nice to have a parking brake. Even the refueling ramp at the Kenai airport is on a pretty good slope and by the time I crawl out (I'm 75 and don't move as fast as I used to) the airplane is on a pretty good roll. I appreciate any help or advice.

Bob Picard

D-A503 is an eccentric arm. When you pull on the parking brake you should only be pulling on the handle. When you release pressure from the handle, the eccentric lever tries to roll tighter to lock the parking brake. It may be wore out, installed backwards, or using it wrong.

[cooper9411]

Pilots flight operating instructions manual section 1, page 4, paragraph 3b reads; parking brake is engaged by applying both foot brakes and then pulling the brake handle towards the rear of the airplane. To disengage the brake, depress the foot pedals and then release the hand brake by squeezing the trigger on handle, and release to full forward position.

[n6346m]

I know how you're supposed to use it and I have the pilots manual and have read it, and as I remember Ii's impossible to install upside down as well, but in the 20 years I've owned the airplane I've never had it work properly. The locking lever is made of some pretty soft steel and I imagine that some of the eccentric has worn off due to metal-to-metal contact over the last 75 years. I have tried to have some material welded back onto the part but I have never been able to figure out the geometric shape it should have. If I had a drawing, I could easily make a new one or repair the existing one. At one point I even had it hold for a little while until the airplane had some rolling pressure and it would pop off.
The D-A510 quadrant appears to have had a previous repair as it is not the same as in the drawing. The original drawing shows a continuing radius and a case hardened surface. My part has what appears to be an area of excessive wear probably in the area of contact with the eccentric and a strip of what appears to be 4130 welded to the surface to make it smooth again. I can have a machine shop make a new one of these if I have to since I have the drawing but I can't duplicate the D-503 lever.
Some history might help shed some light on the excessive wear on these parts. The guy who sold me the airplane told me that except for making a really hard turn, he never used the heel brakes. He always used the parking brake handle to slow down and stop. He said that if he used the heel brakes he might go off the runway or put the airplane on its nose. I looked at him incredulously and looked back down at the brakes on the airplane I had just bought just to make sure that I was looking at Shinn brakes. This guy was either paranoid or learned to fly in one of those Pipers that have nothing but a single lever hand brake.

[Ragwing nut]

I have an extra d-a510 I can sell. I don't have an extra d-a503, but I can send you one to duplicate.

[n6346m]

Ragwing,

I'll buy that D-A510 from you. You can PM me with the details of where to send the money. As for the D-A503, although I don't have it out of the airplane right now, I believe that it is made with a flat piece that has a twist in it. Since you don't have a spare, instead of sending me the part perhaps it would work if you just trace the flat part onto a good piece of card stock and I can use that as a pattern. After all, the important part would be the bolthole and its relationship with the eccentric. If you don't think that would work, then I accept and appreciate your generous offer to lend me the part for duplication.

Bob Picard

[Ragwing nut]

Ragwing,

I'll buy that D-A510 from you. You can PM me with the details of where to send the money. As for the D-A503, although I don't have it out of the airplane right now, I believe that it is made with a flat piece that has a twist in it. Since you don't have a spare, instead of sending me the part perhaps it would work if you just trace the flat part onto a good piece of card stock and I can use that as a pattern. After all, the important part would be the bolthole and its relationship with the eccentric. If you don't think that would work, then I accept and appreciate your generous offer to lend me the part for duplication.

Bob Picard

I will send you the assembly, including the handle so you can compare everything. DM me with address and will ship it out. You can just include the check when you return the parts.

[n6346m]

Ragwing,
Did you get my PM with shipping info?

Bob Picard

[Ragwing nut]

Ragwing,
Did you get my PM with shipping info?

Bob Picard

Yes, I was out of town last 3 days. It will go out tomorrow