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Since building my 320, I'd noticed the
free-play in the main gear while on the jackstand. Not an excessive
amount, but enough to bother me. Most of it originated at the
lower gear leg attachment, but there was also some at the overcenter link
attachment to the gear leg. I decided to see if that free-play would
be appreciably reduced by the use of close tolerance bolts - it was.
They eliminated about 80% of the
free-play at each lower gear leg attachment and almost 100% at the
overcenter link attachment (there was also a slight amount in the rod end
bearing itself. I wasn't impressed with the quality of the one supplied with the
kit and replaced it with a Heim HME-6 which had virtually no free-play).
I also installed close tolerance
bolts at the upper and lower shock attachments and at the overcenter link
pivot.
I had almost no free play at the nose
gear overcenter link attachment, but installed a close tolerance bolt there also
and it only improved the condition.
Aircraft Spruce does not stock many
close tolerance bolts, I purchased mine from Genuine Aircraft Hardware,
which has all sizes and lengths. I think they are a great thing and might
install them throughout the airframe in the future.
Bill Rumburg
N403WR (Sonic bOOm)
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