BC12D Axles

[Mcinpa]

Hi. I have recently purchased a 1941 BC12D-85 and new to this forum so I apologise if this has already been asked.It is currently undergoing its Annual inspection(the first in my ownership). The A&P said we should look into replacing the Axles at some point in the future (not urgent) as they are the original ones. IM sure the A&P will guide us in the right direction but I would like a bit of background knowledge and was wondering what replacement axels are out there on the market today.
Many Thanks in advance.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: BC12D Axles

Are they damaged in some way? Never heard of changing the axles based on age. I have a 41 and a 45 and have only seen them changed because they are damaged. Maybe he is thinking of some other aircraft type. Good luck finding axles if one IS damaged!

Hank

[woodmw]

Re: BC12D Axles

If you haven't already done so, you should try to hookup with the guys @ EGBG. Here is the website for their Taylorcraft group. Robert Lees is very active member of this forum. Moderator/censor I believe. His restoration history of G-BREY is often referenced here for questions relating to Taylorcraft maintenance and other related expertise.

http://www.taylorcraft.org.uk

Appears that your A&P could benefit from knowing Robert also.

[woodmw]

Re: BC12D Axles

Please excuse my rudeness. Should have said this in my first post. Welcome to the group and forum. Hope you enjoy your plane as much as the rest of us. At least most of the time. Maintaining these older aircraft can be frustrating. But it's all worth it when the wheels break ground and my Taylorcraft is back in the air.


At which aerodrome do you keep your plane? I was looking at SkyVector flight planning and we in the colonies can flight plan in the UK or Europe. Amazing. Your airspace looks to be a bit complicated.

[Guest]

Re: BC12D Axles

Hi. I have recently purchased a 1941 BC12D-85 and new to this forum so I apologise if this has already been asked.It is currently undergoing its Annual inspection(the first in my ownership). The A&P said we should look into replacing the Axles at some point in the future (not urgent) as they are the original ones. IM sure the A&P will guide us in the right direction but I would like a bit of background knowledge and was wondering what replacement axels are out there on the market today.
Many Thanks in advance.

Somtimes the axles rust very badly on the inside that could be a reason to replace them.

Possibly they are damaged in some way on the outside and these may be reasons for his statement.

However replacing them is a difficult task. Firstly replacement axles are not available so you will have to fabricate them.

Secondly after fabrication you have to remove the old axle from the weldment and then weld the new one in, very tedious.

You may be better off buying a replacement landing gear leg either used or new one.

You should be very sure that you need an axle before you move ahead.

Dave R

[Ragwing nut]

Re: BC12D Axles

Hi. I have recently purchased a 1941 BC12D-85 and new to this forum so I apologise if this has already been asked.It is currently undergoing its Annual inspection(the first in my ownership). The A&P said we should look into replacing the Axles at some point in the future (not urgent) as they are the original ones. IM sure the A&P will guide us in the right direction but I would like a bit of background knowledge and was wondering what replacement axels are out there on the market today.
Many Thanks in advance.

How does he know they are not original? They are welded assembly part of the landing gear. Replacing would be almost impossible without finding a source for the axle itself. Probably easier to replace the landing gear. I have seen one bent before, but if that happened, you probably have other problems as well.

[Robert Lees]

Re: BC12D Axles

Hello Mcinpa,

Welcome! Which aircraft have you bought? (I know most if not all of them on the UK reg [but not if, as suggested, yours is N-Reg])

As said above, it's very unusual to replace an axle unless damaged. They are probably one of the strongest parts of the airframe.

Regards,
Rob
LAA Inspector 829

[flylo]

Re: BC12D Axles

ISounds like my last IA who said the wing cables were loose, I said no they're fine & won't work if you tighten them, he did & they didn't. He did & they didn't so after that he let me do the compression, valve adjustment, time the mags, the whole annual. He'd stop by look in the wings & my list, sign it off & take my check. He a n aviation professor at a high$$ private univercity & great if it says Cessna. He'd never worked on a 1938 anything & rag & tube IA are getting scarce. New ones wouldn't be hard to make just fire up the Myford & turn a set as owner produced parts. I converted a '46 to hyd heel brakes with the masters in the landing gear Vs with an inspection cover on the bottom but have no idea where thhe axles are.

[N96337]

Re: BC12D Axles

I think I'd be looking for a new A&P! Like Hank said...if they're not damaged, or rusted like Dave said, I can see no reason to replace.
John

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: BC12D Axles

He may just not be that educated about Taylorcrafts. Sometimes we need to teach our mechanics. Not many want to get into the details on our old planes.

[Mcinpa]

Re: BC12D Axles

Thank you for your input,I think you guys are right and he’s mixed up with another type. The aircraft is based in the Seattle area even though I’m from the UK I’m in Seattle a lot with work so will get to fly her regularly, for which I can’t wait!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: BC12D Axles

When you are in Seattle you should look up John Norman. He is restoring a 40 Taylorcraft and you might get a chance to see a naked plane. You can learn a lot about your plane by seeing one in restoration. From what I have seen John is a really good man for restorations.

Hank

[Mark Bowden]

Re: BC12D Axles

Paul, welcome to the forum as well.

When you get a chance why don't you post some photos of your new bird please for the group.
When you reply click the <go advanced> button and then attach some from your hard drive. If they are large you can reduce the file size in Microsoft paint which is on all PC's in a couple clicks. Attach them by clicking on the <manage attachments> button.

Mark

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: BC12D Axles

When we can't be flying, we LOVE looking at other peoples birds! you would be amazed at some of the little things we see. I am probably the worst about saving photos of details and then forgetting who took the original photo when I re-post.

Hank

[Mcinpa]

Re: BC12D Axles

Paul, welcome to the forum as well.

When you get a chance why don't you post some photos of your new bird please for the group.
When you reply click the <go advanced> button and then attach some from your hard drive. If they are large you can reduce the file size in Microsoft paint which is on all PC's in a couple clicks. Attach them by clicking on the <manage attachments> button.

Mark

Here she is fresh out of annual,she may not be prettiest but she’s ours!!!😊😊😊