BC12D landing gear needed

[Mike S]

Digging around through the tie strut drain hole produced more rust than I care to see. I'd consider having the tie strut replaced if I could find someone to weld in a new one, but there's a splice done in '64 on the front "triangle" round tube so thinking I'll replace the entire unit. Left side needed.
rusty tie strut.jpg

[Hank Jarrett]

It is a shame that Minnesota is so far from Virginia Beach. We have a welder here who I am betting could repair your gear if there was a way to get it here for less than the national debt. I have two good gears we could use to build a jig from my 45 that is under restoration.

Hank

[PA1195]

Again here's some suggested inspections:

Gary

[waltermrich]

Thanks for posting the service bulletin , I have yet to check my tie struts but, in the event of corrosion , where on Gods Earth would one be able to find a serviceable one.? How hard would it be to make one and could one splice the lower attach fitting to new streamline tubing ?

[PA1195]

That tie strut is open at the top at the cluster welds as well as the bottom if there's a drain hole via SB. Inspection on the plane can be either via wire through the drain to ensure it's not blocked, or by injecting air and looking for debris exiting the top near the bungee cluster. Probably best to remove the gear and follow the suggestions above. Also removing the gear and brake assemblies will allow inspection of the other gear legs through the usually hidden hole in the brake mounting flange.

I'm not an A&P so any inspection or repairs would be best done by one experienced in tubing issues. I see no problem with having that strut "repaired" rather than replaced. The word "replacement" might result in paperwork and FAA inspection problems later...just my conjecture from conversations with I/A's.

Gary

[beaverbill]

I think that UniVair does sell just the tie strut in addition to a landing gear assembly. You might have to call them as it may not be in their catalog.

[PA1195]

If Univair sells that part as an approved component it would help solve a problem. Very good info beaverbill.

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

You can repair the landing gear (assuming it didn't collapse and destroy the rest of the gear leg). Thee was a set of gear fixtures but they were disposed of before we could rescue them for the welder here. You need a fixture to weld repair them and I am pretty sure an IA can sign the repair off (one of the experts here on the legalities needs to chime in with references). I have a welder who was going to take the lost fixtures. He was a welding instructor for the shipyard on Nuke welding and I swear I think he can weld plywood! He is a real artist with a torch. We will be loosing more landing gear in the future (hopefully from finding the corrosion PRIOR to failure) and it would be a good investment to build a set of good fixtures. I have a set of straight good gear legs. Think we can pull off a Taylorcraft "Go Fund Me" here?

Hank

[waltermrich]

Just found the hole in the bottom of the tie struts, the one on the pilot side has some rust in it not sure how much, the other one seems to be ok ran a wire up into it with out much problem or rust. Discovered that you have to remove the entire gear to do any repair ugh, I did not realize you can blow air up into it and it will come out the top. That will help find out a lot. Will a bore a scope fit into the top ?

[PA1195]

The gear I've blown air into has let it escape at the top under the common bungie attach point. It may depend on how well the welding of the three ends sealed them for air leaks....or not. Try it and see. One I did had the lower hole but it never perforated the metal and the strut rusted internally and failed. Nobody bothered to run a wire inside long enough to probe the opening. I guess it was an annual visual inspection and nothing else.

We know what happens when things fail and the FAA takes note. So please every owner that doesn't want to put another AD stake through the heart of Taylorcraft inspect your gear. It''s way cheaper to prevent now than repair later. Remove that gear and have a look.

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

Check the pivot holes at the top for wear at the same time. The weight of the aircraft and tension from the bungees will hide a huge amount of wear. If the bolt holes are worn your plane will track MUCH better after you re-bush the gear and align the wheels again. It doesn't take but a few minutes to check for worn bushings and he gear is off anyway.

Hank

Remember when you pull The gear bolt the strut is un-hooked too! DON'T FORGET TO SUPPORT THE WING AND FUSELAGE! Then check the fuselage holes too.

[Mike S]

Univair has the right side landing gear on their shelf, they said 3-4 weeks to fabricate a left side. I asked them if they could add the ski brace since the unit was being welded up fresh anyway (emailed the 337 and photo for reference), they would not.
Expensive, but at least someone is producing them

My tie struts measure 1.475x0.800 left side and 1.365x.930 on the right, which equates to a 1.25 round tube before being streamlined.
Univair says their struts are 2.010x0.865, which would start from a 1.5 round tube.

[3Dreaming]

I think Aero Fabricators/ Wag Aero has a jig also. I'm pretty sure dad loaned them a gear to make a jig off of. I don't know if they are making any, but maybe they could do a repair.

The gear from Univair may have a straight 1.5" axle.

[PA1195]

The diagonal brace is a common modification for Pacers and Taylorcraft. Atlee Dodge in Anchorage AK. has done them. But if welding them is a block then how about a piece of tubing between clamps? Round tubing clamps are easy to source (https://www.univair.com/search.php?s...clamps&Search=) and something like a jury strut clamp to form to the tapered diagonal would work. Anything that will reduce the tendency for the diagonal to bend under inward side loads would help.

Has anyone asked if Univair will sell the diagonal strut outright?

Gary

[Mike S]

Aero Fabricators/ Wag Aero said they explored building Taylorcraft landing gear at one point but do not currently, or replace tie struts. I was directed to speak with Noah, who seemed to be managing the shop, when I phoned them. Wag does have A530 lug straps in stock https://www.wagaero.com/taylorcraft-metal-strap.html.