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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
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