lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

For those who have not replaced the gas strut: During my last HPAT training session, the nose gear did not fully extend even at a slow airspeed. I ordered from McMaster Carr the 9416K15 gas strut (100 pounds force) for about $13 plus shipping. I forgot to order the ball ends so order those if you change the strut. One of my ends was deformed probably from the removal process. Those are about $2 each.

I tested the old strut and I was able to push it down with some body weight and it showed 84 lbs on the scale.

The new strut was impossible to push down with my body weight unless I put it in the freezer. I used a bottle jack hydraulic cylinder to compress the strut, lockwired the unit in compressed mode and then installed it in the Legacy. I then cut and removed the lockwire. The aircraft now dumps the emergency gear at 125KIAS so I'm pleased with the replacement. A short video of the gear drop in the hangar is here.

Paul

Legacy N357V

Spruce Creek