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Does anybody out there have a spare usable expander tube and early (not heavy duty) brake drum? Another otherwise airworthy L-5 is down and out on account of a cracked expander tube. The drum is also scored and should be replaced. The owner is not currently a club member but if parts can be found it will be the incentive he needs to join. It is Doug Damiano’s old airplane for those who remember Doug.
Thanks,
JG
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The B-29 “FIFI” and C-47 guys in our hangar have found a company that will make new expander tubes. They make expander tubes for Basler Turbo conversion DC-3’s, but apparently the oil field industry and big cargo and cruise ships also use expander tube type brakes to stop the engine from turning (much larger scale expander tubes – but the same technology). They are here in Arlington Texas, but you have to go through their distributor American Clutch down near Houston. The person to talk to is Heidi, her number is 281-443-9232. Be sure to mention what type of fluid you are using, so they can make it compatible. We had some DC-3 expander tubes that were not compatible with 5606 and leaked, a quick call and they fixed the issue with a different compound. They will need the spec’s for the original tubes or an original tube that they can reverse engineer. We have a guy here at the Vintage Flying Museum that has dealt with them a lot on C-47 brake tubes and he is willing to talk to them for the group and see if they are willing and/or able to help us. He said the C-47 tubes were about $1600 – $1700 each, about 8-9 months ago, however those are much larger expander tubes than what is on an L-5. We may be able to get the price down, if there is enough interest to get a run of them made and get a volume discount. Let me know if there is any interest in proceeding. I personally don’t need them, I have Cleveland’s on my L-5, but I am happy to help if I can.
Bill Gorin
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The Piper Cub owners club looked into getting expander tubes made a few years ago (same company in TX I think) and the cost was prohibitive, even with an RFQ for 100 sets. With the Carl Baker Company gone (the last commercial source of tubes, pucks and clips I was aware of), a run of expander tubes wouldn’t help in the long run even if the price was reasonable. If an expander tube leaks, the pucks are pretty much useless when they get brake fluid on them. Groves or Clevelands are the way to go if within an owner’s budget.
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