Today I filled the brake system with fluid. Van recommends Royko 782 fluid, and other builders recommended filling the brake lines from below, by pumping fluid from the brake bleed fittings on each brake. I got a small oil can with pump and attached this to the brake bleed fitting with plastic tubing. The process is to pump the fluid from the low point in each wheel and the fluid will fill the brake lines through the brake valves on each pedal, and into the fluid reservoir on the firewall. The process is repeated on both wheels. Doing it this way will fill the entire brake system without having to bleed air from the system.
I opened the top of the fluid reservoir and taped some paper towels and plastic to clean up any overflow of the brake fluid, but it wasn't an issue as it was easy to monitor the fluid level during the process.
It all worked perfectly as the fluid was easily pumped and the lines and reservoir filled. After closing up the brake system I then tried the brake pedals and they felt rock hard with no mushiness at all. I then set the parking brake and tried to move the aircraft, but it held perfectly. I also checked closely for leaks and found none.
