Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

[M Towsley]

Is it possible to replace a landing gear bushing with the bungees installed? I have a bushing that needs replaced but I don't want to have to replace perfectly good bungees.

Thanks for any input.

[Guest]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

Hi Marty,

How about this;

1) hang the plane on an engine lift
2) disconnect the brake cable (actually I bet you only need to take the bolt out of the small steel brake cable pulley under the fairing)
3) remove both gear bolts and all fairings
4) let the gear slip out of the longeron fittings and hang down enough to drive/drill the bushings out but only an inch or two so bungees are bot displaced or endangered

Dave

[M Towsley]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

That was the plan, but have you done it that way?

Thanks Dave, I should have been more specific. Has anyone done one of late that was on the gear in flyable condition. I lifted the nose at annual and found a worn bushing. I just don't want to be surprised when I pull the gear bolts. Thinking it through I don't see a hazard in doing so, just want to make sure something doesn't shift or move under tension of the bungees.

[Guest]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

I suspect that the front fitting will drop out faster and the RIGHT gear leg will try to twist clockwise as it lowers (left one will do the opposite).

Put some jacks or levers or something under the axle or wheel to avoid the twist so the bungees don't get too much out of their normal position.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

I would initially replace the bolts with a VERY loose-fitting pin (e.g. drive the bolts out with a thin pin-punch). This will prevent gross movement of the gear on the longerons. Clamp some wood blocks fore-and-aft around the bungee assembly to reduce the chance of the gear slipping under the bungee tension.

Then remove one pin; there should be enough "flex" to move each fitting enough to replace the defective bushing(s). Use a stepped drift to remove and install the bushing to prevent damage. Make sure the new bushing gets drilled for the lub hole after installation; ream out any burrs.

To install the new bolts, use a "bullet" to realign the fitting.

I haven't tried this myself, but it must be worth a try.

Rob (in cold & snowy Utah)

[Guest]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

I would initially replace the bolts with a VERY loose-fitting pin (e.g. drive the bolts out with a thin pin-punch). This will prevent gross movement of the gear on the longerons. Clamp some wood blocks fore-and-aft around the bungee assembly to reduce the chance of the gear slipping under the bungee tension.

Then remove one pin; there should be enough "flex" to move each fitting enough to replace the defective bushing(s). Use a stepped drift to remove and install the bushing to prevent damage. Make sure the new bushing gets drilled for the lub hole after installation; ream out any burrs.

To install the new bolts, use a "bullet" to realign the fitting.

I haven't tried this myself, but it must be worth a try.

Rob (in cold & snowy Utah)

ahh! good thought Rob

I like the small pin idea a lot.

Maybe an AN3 bolt is a good choice.

Dave

[M Towsley]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

Thanks guys. All great ideas and I will let you know how it goes.

I asked Forrest over on Facebook this same question, figuring he had done it before. I got in reply: "What Taylorcraft"!!

Oh well...

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

Gear configurations are different on different models. What you do on a BC12 might not work on a tandem.

Hank

I also took a bunch of rusty bolts I replaced and made a few of each size into pins by grinding the threads off and VIGOROUSLY wire brushing the rust off. They make great undersize bullet pins for this stuff. You can chuck the bolt in a drill press and sand the shank (engage a LOT of the threads so it doesn't fly out!). I got the shanks enough undersize to put a coat of red paint on them which made them easy to find in the drawer. Being loose made them easy to use as a bolt punch. I really keep my eyes open for the longest bolts in each size I can find but the short ones are good in tight spots. Made putting the engine mount on the firewall and putting the struts on a snap. You will need several of each size.

[Guest]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

argh!

Good point Hank I ASSUMED that we were talking about a "B" or "F" model.

What model are we talking about?

Marty's picture looks like a "B" or "F"

[M Towsley]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

1946 bc-12d.

[3Dreaming]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

Marty, do you have a bungee tool?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

I have one I shouldn't need for at least a few more years. Makes a HUGE difference when you get one of the good tools! Try one and you will want one even if you only need it twice a decade.
Marty, I wasn't sure you were talking about your plane or another one (probably true of Forrest too) but you should be able to change the bushings with the bungees in place on your plane. Just be REALLY CAREFUL to secure the gear leg so that energy doesn't let the gear twist with the bolt out! There is a HUGE amount of energy stored in those bungees! Lock the legs down TIGHT before you start pushing the old bushing out.

Hank

[M Towsley]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

Tom, yes I do, but Dave doesn't necessarily recommend removing bungees with it if I remember correctly. Your ideas???

Hank, I don't work on other peoples' airplanes. My A&P/IA are doing this to mine but want to be prepared. Regarding Forrest, it wouldn't matter if it was mine or someone else's plane. It was just a squirrely answer to a legitimate question and I still have not received an answer from him. So much for that thought.

I would certainly hate to have to write-off the Taylorcraft Foundation and all of its assets but it certainly is looking like that right now.

[Guest]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

Thanks guys. All great ideas and I will let you know how it goes.

I asked Forrest over on Facebook this same question, figuring he had done it before. I got in reply: "What Taylorcraft"!!

Oh well...

Hmm...

In Forrest's defense perhaps he was really asking was "What Taylorcaft model are you asking about?"

Dave

[M Towsley]

Re: Replacing Landing Gear Bushing

I told him it was mine and he knows what it is. This is one of those quirky answers we sometimes get.