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Changed the bungees on 34237 today. I had noticed that the gear was starting to stay an inch or so extended after landing. They were seven years old and the right-hand side had worn through the sheath starting to show the cords. Funny thing, the wear was on the back side of the bungees and I can't see anything that would rub on them there. Oh, well. It was time.
Four new 9010-HDs at $25 each.
I just replaced the bolts and had nice tight bushings a couple of years back, so I decided to forgo the lift and wiggle procedure on the gear this time. I didn't really have a place to hoist on the engine today anyway. I tied the wheels together with a strap, put my plywood and two-by-four brace under the firewall as a secondary safety. Floor boards came out and the external covers unscrewed. So take a deep breath and cut the old bungees one side at a time. I went slowly and got a nice SNAP as the last few cords were cut. The safety cables were sound and clean and so on went the new bungees.
I've seen bungees installed with several unmentionable and unsavory methods. I've also done bungees with the Comanche bungee tool (a bit clumsy to get past the yokes, but effective). The drude bungee tool is like magic for the Taylorcrafts. It has lots of little safety features that aren't appreciated until one has seen the tire jack through the hanger wall or the big pry bar driven through the hand. Dave's tool makes the bungee change a safe and relatively simple procedure. if you appreciate good engineering, you simply have to use one of these tools. Dave, Thanks for the tool. It's one of the best things a Taylorcraftor can own.
Well, the gear is once again sucked up to the belly and there is still a bit of nice fall weather to find a few of those nice bouncy New Mexico back country strips...
My only concern is that the rubber bumpers (is that the official term?) between the gear arm and the fuselage tube are starting to feel a little like they were manufactured in 1946. They are sound and uncracked, But they may be getting a little hard. Is there any source of replacements for them? it isn't critical now, but it might be a nice upgrade on the next bungee change to swap them out if some replacements can be found. Any suggestions??
Four new 9010-HDs at $25 each.
I just replaced the bolts and had nice tight bushings a couple of years back, so I decided to forgo the lift and wiggle procedure on the gear this time. I didn't really have a place to hoist on the engine today anyway. I tied the wheels together with a strap, put my plywood and two-by-four brace under the firewall as a secondary safety. Floor boards came out and the external covers unscrewed. So take a deep breath and cut the old bungees one side at a time. I went slowly and got a nice SNAP as the last few cords were cut. The safety cables were sound and clean and so on went the new bungees.
I've seen bungees installed with several unmentionable and unsavory methods. I've also done bungees with the Comanche bungee tool (a bit clumsy to get past the yokes, but effective). The drude bungee tool is like magic for the Taylorcrafts. It has lots of little safety features that aren't appreciated until one has seen the tire jack through the hanger wall or the big pry bar driven through the hand. Dave's tool makes the bungee change a safe and relatively simple procedure. if you appreciate good engineering, you simply have to use one of these tools. Dave, Thanks for the tool. It's one of the best things a Taylorcraftor can own.
Well, the gear is once again sucked up to the belly and there is still a bit of nice fall weather to find a few of those nice bouncy New Mexico back country strips...
My only concern is that the rubber bumpers (is that the official term?) between the gear arm and the fuselage tube are starting to feel a little like they were manufactured in 1946. They are sound and uncracked, But they may be getting a little hard. Is there any source of replacements for them? it isn't critical now, but it might be a nice upgrade on the next bungee change to swap them out if some replacements can be found. Any suggestions??
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