Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 10/22/1998 - 14:40 Forums: LML Archive From: by way of Marvin Kaye <marvkaye [at] olsusa.com> <N295VV [at] aol.com> Subject: Re: Nose Gear Links IV Date: Thu, 22 Oct 1998 10:40:59 -0400 To: <lancair.list [at] olsusa.com> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> 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