How do I adjust braking on Azusa Drum Brakes?

[Ed Perkins]

I'm a nubie so a dumb question for you.

I have the standard Azusa Drum Brakes on my Sonex. The brakes cannot hold beyond 1700 rpm for the mag check. I've looked at the plans but they don't show how I adjust the brake pressure / increase it. I noticed in the cockpit a little toward the firewall at the base of the brake lever the brake cables go into two separate shafts which are adjustable with nuts. Is that where I increase / decrease brake pressure? If not is this done at the brake itself somehow?
Thanks, Ed Perkins, Sonex #371

[rizzz]

Hi Ed,

This small mod allows me to easily adjust the brake cable tension (from inside the cockpit):





Not difficult to install, just need to find the right bottle screw & screen door roller.
Found mine in the local hardware store.

[tonyr]

Ed,

Sounds like you have a non-standard installation with the adjustable barrel nuts, and you might be experiencing some cable stretch.
You could either wind out the barrels or shorten the cable at a brake drum lever assuming there is a standard Azusa cable end fitted.
Loosen the screw and pull the cable through and check your lever operation. You still want to be able to reach it easily and pull without overly stretching your arm.

My brakes don't hold much above 2000 RPM and it starts creeping forward, definitely doesn't at 3000 RPM regardless of any cable adjustment!
That's pretty on par for the cable drums.

On rollout after landing a little long I just pulse the lever to slow down for the taxi way, if I hold them on hard they fade quickly.

Regards
Tony