Hi Bruce,
GREAT question!!!!
F-33206 bushings have a 1/32" deep 3/16" radius 1/8" wide groove
machined around the inside diameter (would be fore-aft when installed)
of each.
If your old bushings do not have this groove, they were the earlier
415-33206 Ercoupe bushings (which had no groove), and inappropriate for
installation on later F-1s.
If they have the groove but no hole was drilled thru them (to get
grease from the grease fitting to the axle), the installer did not know
what he was doing and was not properly supervised. It's also why
replacement is now necessary ;<).
Remove the grease fitting, clean the grease passage well, and install
the fibre bushing in the lower leg. Drill a #3 hole (.213) through
said bushing. Since there is no way to support the inner surface of
the fibre bushing, be sure to use a sharp bit.
The grease MUST flow around the INSIDE of the bushing so as to
lubricate the AXLE.
Bear in mind I'm not a certificated aircraft mechanic.
A favor? Does your paperwork or data plate show a date (month, day and
year) of manufacture for your Serial No. 5692? I would expect it to be
in early 1959.
Best Regards,
William R. Bayne
.____|-(o)-|____.
(Copyright 2009)
--
On Jan 5, 2009, at 17:37, va_couper wrote:
We are currently doing an annual on my Forney and among other things
had an unacceptable amount of slop in the main gear bushings. We have
pulled the gear off and removed the old bushings and have the new ones
in hand (Univair part no. 33206). Neither the new bushings not the old
ones have a hole in them that would allow grease to flow to the axle.
The question is: Should there be a hole and if so would just pulling
the zerk and drilling through from the outside be the way to go? Or
does grease flow along the outside of the bushing and eventually lube
the axle. I would appreciate any and all opinions.
Bruce Hunter
VaCouper N3000G
