The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

Our right brake went inop during the after-landing roll last night. Once we cleared the active, I looked in the footwell, and saw that the piston rod in the left brake cylinder had deattached itself from the rod end, on the top of the pedal. I threaded it back up with my finger, which got us back to the hangar, and then I tightened the check nut back up, which hopefully has gotten us back in business.

Other than periodically inspecting that assembly during pre-flight, and ensuring brake pressure before landing, is there a way to prevent that rod from backing itself out of the clevis? There is no safety wire, split washer, or anything like that, I noticed.

Sure made for an exciting landing roll

Thanks!

The jam nut should do the trick. If you're a belt and suspenders type of guy, a drop of blue loctite would pretty much ensure it never came apart, but I really think that's overkill. There shouldn't be any twisting force on there in the first place, so vibration is really the only thing to loosen it up.