Return-Path: Received: from imo-r08.mail.aol.com ([152.163.225.8]) by ns1.olsusa.com (Post.Office MTA v3.5.3 release 223 ID# 0-64832U3500L350S0V35) with ESMTP id com for ; Sat, 28 Oct 2000 23:39:15 -0400 Received: from Jffarrell@aol.com by imo-r08.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v28.32.) id k.be.b1fabe5 (4003) for ; Sat, 28 Oct 2000 23:46:29 -0400 (EDT) From: Jffarrell@aol.com Message-ID: Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2000 23:46:28 EDT Subject: 235 Taxi Problem To: lancair.list@olsusa.com X-Mailing-List: lancair.list@olsusa.com Reply-To: lancair.list@olsusa.com Mime-Version: 1.0 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> I have just completed my 235 and have started taxi testing. I have run into a problem with the plane drifting to the left. The plane was mostly built by someone else and I am finishing it up. The plane pulls to the left at speeds up to 30 mph ( the highest I dare to go). At about 30 the rudder seems to have enough effect to hold the plane on the centerline without having to use the brake. At speeds under 30, I must tap the right brake or hold some pressure to keep the plane going in a straight line. It does this both when accelerating and when coasting back to a stop ( this seems to rule out torque). The first thing I checked was a dragging or binding left brake, but it is ok. A alignment check showed about 1/16" toe out on the mains, measured from points about 2' apart (1'' in front of each main gear spindle to 1' behind each main gear spindle). I know toe out means instability, but don't think this little could be the cause. The left main has 0 degree camber and the right main has 1/2 degree negative camber, both of which seem ok. A tight string was tied from the tail to the nosegear strut (along plane centerline) and dimensions were checked. The dimensions revealed that both the main gears were pointed to the right about 1 degree with respect to the centerline. At this point I believe this is the cause. The mains are like the steer tires on a forklift (turn them right to go left). I think my problem now, is how to adjust the mains to bring them back into alignment. Does it look like I am going in the right direction? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Jim Farrrell >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>