Eliacim,
Do you know if your MLG oleos still have the o-ring seal or if they
have been modified to the earlier cup-style seal? Either way, the
factory specifies those seals are to be replaced whenever the oleo is
disassembled. That advise can probably be ignored for repeated
assembly-dissassembly at the time of "rebuild" when determining and
installing the precise thickness of spacer(s) necessary to achieve a
level sill. One size does NOT fit all.
You want to lubricate the cylinder, piston and seal liberally before
assembly and assemble (unfilled) with a slow, even rotating of the
piston in the cylinder to avoid having the edge of the filler hole take
a chunk out of your new seal in the process. On planes with many
hours, or that have been operated long periods without fluid in the
oleos in the past, the pistons tend to wear the oleo cylinder into
something of an oval shape (which an o-ring can't seal properly).
Conversion to the rubber cups with the Skyport kit is a good fix for
"oval" cylinders, but (unless Skyport has been able to replace rubber
cups with neoprene or other later material) you then have to use brake
fluid (not hydraulic oil) as oleo fluid because rubber cups are
incompatible with hydraulic oil. This is one area where good paperwork
is necessary if a new owner or mechanic mechanic is to be able to tell
from the serial number and reviewing the airframe LOG which is the
proper fluid to use in in given plane's oleos.
Regards,
WRB
--
On May 23, 2010, at 15:33, <[email protected]> wrote:
Correct, I have double fork and large front wheel.
Lynn, to save me some homework and wasted time for missing parts,
could you recommend which parts should I buy?
Just the eight rubber donuts, or there is something else, like O
rings, snap ring, etc. I would likely find worn and in need of repair
/ replacement? Once I take the thing apart, I would rather err on
having extra parts, than fewer thank I need.
Eliacim
--- [email protected] wrote:
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] MLG Donuts
Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 16:13:02 EDT
Hey Eliacim: What size nose wheel is on your plane? The 75 inch height
is for the original Coupe with the 4 inch diameter nose wheel. If you
have a double nose fork/or large nose wheel, the tail should be
higher.
Lynn
In a message dated 5/23/2010 3:58:41 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
I am going to replace them.
1. My tail is at 75", but a bubble level on the window edge shows a
tail low, proving that the ideal tail height for my plane is more
than 75"
2. Handling in crosswinds is scary, just as described for a tail low
Ercoupe.
3. The donuts have not been changed at least since I got the plane 5
years ago.
Eliacim
--- [email protected] wrote:
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] MLG Donuts
Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 11:03:34 EDT
Hey Eliacim: "AS REQUIRED" says the maintenance manual. I recommend
checking the play in the rubber donuts when dong the 100 hour. if
there is a 1/4" or more slack between the donut stack and the upper
fitting, I would replace them. I believe the as required statement was
so that their condition would be checked and when they deteriorated,
they should be replaced. I also believe that if you check the height
of the tail of your Ercoupe, and if it is 2 or 3 inches below the 75"
new height it is most likely time to think about replacing the donuts.
JMHO
Regards
Lynn
In a message dated 5/22/2010 11:11:55 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
What's the criteria to replace the rubber donuts in the main landing
gear?
Mine measure 4 inches from top to bottom, when loaded (compressed)
with the airplane's weight.
Eliacim
