Message-Id: <3.0.3.32.19981022104059.00d66254@olsusa.com>
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1998 10:40:59 -0400
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
From: N295VV@aol.com (by way of Marvin Kaye <marvkaye@olsusa.com>)
Subject: Re: Nose Gear Links IV
Mime-Version: 1.0

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Yes, replace the links.  I flew it yesterday, and I noticed more nose
stability on my landing.  One of the old links was definitely bent-slightly,
but bent.  I think i did it on a hard turn off on to a taxiway, and not on a
landing.  I refuse to do quick turnoffs now--let the plane behind me do a go-
around--it is my runway to use, and I am not going to damage it (I also cupped
the nose wheel as I went thru the turn off).

Caveat--after replacing the links, inspect the attachment plates on the yoke
for cracking on each pre-flight inspection.  If the stress is simply being
transferred now, they will probably be the next thing to be damaged.  That
gear leg has a very long moment, and the forces are tremendous with the
leverage.   I did notice quite a bit of bolt hole elongation, and I may
replace the AN4 bolts with AN5 in the future.  It would require reaming the
holes--not a tough job at all.

I also noticed quite a lot of wear on the AN5- bolt on the gear.  I greased
hell out of the new one, but the old one seemed quite lubricated, and the wear
must be stress wear.

One more thing--every so often, put the plane on jacks, bleed off the
hydraulic pressure, and hand-push the yoke upward to release the front gear so
it will swing.  If the gas-strut isn't really hard to push upward,  replace it
immediately!  I am planning on replacing mine every 300 hours as a maintence
item--if it loses pressure, you lose the gear and the engine.  A $30
replacement now and then is a cheap investment.

Best regards, David Jones