SonexBuilders.net

Hello All,
Inventory of my Sonex kit parts turned up a set of Tracy OBrien brakes. I purchased them a while back and kinda forgot about them. Looking around online I don't see Tracy OBrien products other than a set of seals available. Are these brakes still a viable option? Parts available? Wondering if its worth installing them if they are no longer supported? Does anyone know the deal? Thanks much, RT

Gonna answer my own question here... You know those moments when you think, well, should have asked first? Contacted Tracy OBrien directly and learned he's been tied up with family issues for a while. These have apparently resolved and he stated that parts and product will be available in the next 8-10weeks, so check back then. Thats good news for anyone that has these brakes....

RT

rwthomas1 wrote:Contacted Tracy OBrien directly and learned he's been tied up with family issues for a while. These have apparently resolved and he stated that parts and product will be available in the next 8-10weeks, so check back then.

RT

I have these and like them but have wondered what was happening with the company. This is great news.

Thanks for the update.

Dale
3.0 Corvair/Tailwheel

rwthomas1 wrote:Gonna answer my own question here... You know those moments when you think, well, should have asked first? Contacted Tracy OBrien directly and learned he's been tied up with family issues for a while. These have apparently resolved and he stated that parts and product will be available in the next 8-10weeks, so check back then. Thats good news for anyone that has these brakes....

RT

I have them too, with a Sonex master and parking brake. I'm having trouble keeping them bled, I think the 20+ year old seals are due for replacement.

I also got in touch with Tracy in the last couple of months. I ordered/received a set of seals from his website, but waiting on construction of the brake pads. Per my last email with him on 6/9: "We are back up in Washington and I'm getting my shop back in order, but I can't say when I'll be able to get started on a batch of brake pads. I have to have the steel parts laser-cut and also get the friction material shipped up from Oregon."

I'm dead in the water (or grounded in the hangar) until I get some new pads unless I can figure out a workaround for the time being. Does anyone know the thickness of the pads? I'm thinking about rebuilding my current set, but not sure of the thickness.

There are companies that can bond new friction material onto your old steel backing plates. It used to be really common to get drum brake shoes relined and it can still be done. A few years ago I had my old Azusa shoes relined and the result was far superior to the original. Getting the thickness right should just be a matter of measuring gaps with the brake pistons pushed back.

Peter

http://www.brakematerialsandparts.com/brake-relining

Or, McMaster Carr has friction materials if you want to try it yourself. JB weld onto the metal backing plate. Heat the old pad up till the bonding material softens up to get the remnants of the old friction material off.