Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

[3Dreaming]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Are you going to check and replace the lower bushing too?

[Garry Crookham]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

The landing gear to tie strut bushings , Taylorcraft p/n B12-943, are 1.00 long, OD .502, ID .311.

[M Towsley]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Last time I had the plane off the gear it was the left front that needed to be replaced.

Also, I called Wag and spoke to Tom about this as it was thought they were making the landing gear. They are preparing to but still not in the manufacture stage. Tom did not know they had the gear bushing until I got the part number from Garry, did a search and found it. Wag is showing a bunch of parts, large and small, for the Taylorcraft. I think it might be old stock from Safe Air Repair. When I called Tom and let him know he got one, measured it for me and confirmed they had the bushing.

[Pearson]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Marty,

If you end up getting a bushing that is undersized, I suggest you try to borrow or just buy a reamer. Using a drill is not the same as reaming, even if you use an undersized drill bit. A drill does not drill a round hole. It also drills a hole slightly larger than it's size. If you contact a small machine shop in your area, possibly they will have a reamer they can ream your bushings to size with. If you decide to buy one, try to find a straight fluted hand reamer. It should have a square end on it so you can chuck it up in a T handle like you use when tapping threads. Check out the expansion reamer at McMasterCarr http://www.mcmaster.com/#hand-reamers/=pgbnpw

[M Towsley]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Thanks for the tip, Richard. Those reamers are a bit $$$$$$$.

[mike lutz]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

you might try tsc,lowes,or motion industries,or any bearing supply place.They usually have standard size bushing stock on hand that would work for you,although you might have to shorten them possibly,and would not be that hard to do.

[Guest]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Marty,

If you end up getting a bushing that is undersized, I suggest you try to borrow or just buy a reamer. Using a drill is not the same as reaming, even if you use an undersized drill bit. A drill does not drill a round hole. It also drills a hole slightly larger than it's size. If you contact a small machine shop in your area, possibly they will have a reamer they can ream your bushings to size with. If you decide to buy one, try to find a straight fluted hand reamer. It should have a square end on it so you can chuck it up in a T handle like you use when tapping threads. Check out the expansion reamer at McMasterCarr http://www.mcmaster.com/#hand-reamers/=pgbnpw

Hi Richard,

I have no doubts that you are correct about this but I doubt that it will make any difference in this application and will only raise Marty's costs for no real gain.

I think that most of the time these bushings just drive into place an fit with no reaming or drilling.

I only recall having to drill/ream one in 1969 or 1970 on a stabilizer.

Dave

(or I could be losing my memory )

[Robert Lees]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Dave,

I'd suggest that these type bushings should all be reamed upon assembly. It's quite important that the bush be affixed firmly into its housing, which will inherently compress the bushing somewhat, requiring the ID of the bushing to be reamed out to size.

The bolt rotates in the bushing (not the bushing rotate in the housing, if you see what I mean).

The bushing (and bolt) are wearable & replaceable items...the steel structure of the gear, the aileron, the rudder, elevator etc are not.

Hope that helps, and apologies if I've misread your post.

Rob

[Pearson]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Dave,

Yes reamers are expensive. But I would disagree with anyone who suggests there is nothing to be gained in following manufacturer's directions. I would agree that in all likelihood, there is a pretty good chance that there would be no immediate repercussions from not reaming the bushings. BUT, there is a chance the reduced clearance could prematurely wear the bolt out. Or the tight fit could develop a wear pattern in the bushing that causes premature wear in it. It might also create binding in the movement of the gear and cause a problem on landing, or who knows what else. Another alternative to buying an expensive reamer is to try to locate a machinist and give him a few bucks for the ten minutes of his time it would take to hand ream the bushings after they are installed in the gear legs. Possibly there is a high school that has a machine shop class, or a trade school, or local aircraft repair station where someone could ream them out. I would put an ad on Craigslist, or something rather than just not ream them. But that is just me.

[Guest]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Or you could just use a drill bit, I think that this is being made way to difficult.


Have you seen manufacturer's istructions that indicate reaming? I have not.

Dave

[M Towsley]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Rob,

That is perhaps the reason for the slot in the original bushings. The minor cut allows the bushing to compress slightly for fit. Though I certainly cannot attest to the bushing not rotating once installed. Curious to know why they cut it, possibly for ease and speed of installation.

[Guest]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Dave,

I'd suggest that these type bushings should all be reamed upon assembly. It's quite important that the bush be affixed firmly into its housing, which will inherently compress the bushing somewhat, requiring the ID of the bushing to be reamed out to size.

The bolt rotates in the bushing (not the bushing rotate in the housing, if you see what I mean).

The bushing (and bolt) are wearable & replaceable items...the steel structure of the gear, the aileron, the rudder, elevator etc are not.

Hope that helps, and apologies if I've misread your post.

Rob

We may not have communicated.

I am saying that merely using the fit after installation and prior to drilling/reaming may be sufficient and if not then simply enlarge it with a drill bit. If a 5/16" bit cuts oversize then use a 5/16 and see if it works. If its too small then try the next size drill. now the costs are down to less than $10 for drill bits.

I have replaced many of these bushings and have never needed any special tools to get a good result.

We are talking about a hinge that rotates how much? 15 degrees, rotation is not going to wear this out, pressure and dirt will.

I have not seen a drawing from Taylorctraft that requires reaming but if it says that then I am all wet.

Dave

[Guest]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Rob,

That is perhaps the reason for the slot in the original bushings. The minor cut allows the bushing to compress slightly for fit. Though I certainly cannot attest to the bushing not rotating once installed. Curious to know why they cut it, possibly for ease and speed of installation.

Marty, my guess is that the slot exist because they manufacture these bushings from sheet stock as well as sintered metal and when they use sheet stock the roll the bushing like a cigarette paper.

Dave

[M Towsley]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Thanks, Dave, I understand. I thought they would have used something 'off the shelf' like so many other things. Their selection of parts available might have been a bit more limited then nowadays.

[Guest]

Re: Landing Gear Bushing Size Needed or Source

Well you guys have me thinking now.

I recalled that I had some of these that I bought from Feris Taylorcraft and I just found them. The i.d. for these ones were .251" to .252" so after install they would be smaller as you point out.

The hinge pin is about .244" so they may well fit without drill/ream.

I relaize now that I may have mixed up two threads and this one is about landing gear. My bad, sorry.

I measured a new 5/16" bolt it was -.0035" on the as it measured .309".

I am cleaning my garage today getting ready to assemble a Champ wing so I can easily find and measure .

Dave