Thread: Matco brake break in period

Note*
When Matco brakes are installed they need to be broken in by heating them up. This can make as much as a 50% difference in stopping power. You need to take the new brake system out and ride the brakes a little to heat them up. A high speed taxi riding the brakes and a number of good hard stops. There is a written procedure in their manual that comes with every set. I would doubt, but not sure that the FD factory doesn't take the time to go out and drive around the airport on the ground to heat and wear the brakes in on brand new planes. I could be wrong, but it is easy to tell by looking at the brake disc and see if it looks new or has been colored by heat and looks slightly worn. If it doesn't show some signs of wear and or some heat that procedure was not done. Your brakes won't be up to par where they should be in stopping power.
I heard a comment that came out of Florida from an FD dealer about a brand new LS with Matco brakes. It doesn't sound like anyone took the time to break and wear the pads in.
I would recommend that each new FD CT (SW or LS) with Matco brakes from the factory be looked at when it arrives to the owner for the first time, then look at the disc to check to see if the system has been worn in, then take it for a brake pad break in if that procedure was not done. The brakes will get better and better with a few landings and use of the brakes. If you have them installed make sure you or the A&P knows this because hopefully he read the installation manual on Matco brakes and it tells you how to do this. Just take a drive around your airport for 10 minutes and ride the brakes a little and make those stops. After you fly it a half dozen times and use the brakes they will even get better.
I put two sets of Matco brakes on this last week and you can put the parking brake on and run that throttle to full power and it just sits there.
I have so many of the old sets of Italian brakes now I wonder if I can give them back to the Italian's? Nah, I don't think they'll let them back into the country .

Our CT friends from across several ponds are also switching to Matco brakes. The latest set I believe is headed to the northern UK.

If any of you have any questions about Matco brakes please don't hesitate to call me or George (owner) at Matco.

Amen!
At first, I could not lock up the wheels (into a skid) and had a funny noise, (as I reported) when the CT fully stopped.
Now, I could not be happier! Brakes are perfect in all respects. BIG improvement over the originals.
Thanks Roger Lee!

John MacGregor (coming up on 1,000 hours, and planning the next 1,000)

How about you take all those Italian brake sets and sell them to Fiat? Then, we could drive around with them in our GM cars!

Hi John,

You coming to Page this October?

Yep.
Had a great time last year and currently working on my HD camcorder mounting for looking UP at the Grand Canyon Monuments as I buzz by nice and low. Got to pressure Jeremy to get off work and go with me! What's with these engine mechanics that seem to love to work everyday?

I guess the Italians are hit and miss. I have not had any problems or complaints with my brakes.

That's the whole problem. The Italian brakes are hit and miss.

My original brakes were fine some of the time, typically in the cooler times of the year. During the warmer times, I'd have to pump the things like crazy tp get the plane stopped from a slow taxi. The Matco's have been great.

My origianal brakes were fine until about 20 hours ago. Now, with 145 hours, part of my prelanding check is to pump up the brakes on final so they will work on touchdown.

I'm getting more incentive every day to install the matcos that have been sitting in a box in my hangar for about 8 months. This working full time again has been cutting in to my prefered activities!!