Bad Gear Legs

[woodmw]

Not sure why this guy seems to be constantly forgotten, but David Wenglarz and his son Maxwell do great work. Marty posted about them almost 10 years ago.

Search:
Taylorcraft Metal Parts by David Wenglarz

Thread has pictures.

[Ragwing nut]

you may not like the price, but new ones are available from Univair. Just sending gear cross country to have diagonal replaced is going to be $800-$1000 easy before its over with.

[3Dreaming]

Hank, I'm pretty sure they will make all of them. They did a new panel for dad's 41 on this last restoration.

[Hank Jarrett]

Hank,

We already have someone who makes fantastic panels, and I don't think anyone can invest the time to make news ones like they do. We actually have a couple of guys doing metal parts like that. Not sure we need that on the list.

Which panel is being made and by whom? There is the high domed early pre war that uses the big Tach, the 41 with the instrument inset with the same outside outline as the post war, and the post war BC12-D type. I'm not sure what came after the BC12-D since I haven't ever worked on any of the newer planes. Any price and builder info? I wasn't aware anyone was producing them!

Hank

[N96337]

Did anyone get any pictures of Drude's gear repair fixture?
John

[M Towsley]

Hank,

We already have someone who makes fantastic panels, and I don't think anyone can invest the time to make news ones like they do. We actually have a couple of guys doing metal parts like that. Not sure we need that on the list.

[Hank Jarrett]

I think you see where I was going but I was not saying to do TWO repairs and basically replace the whole part, I was saying on the gear to take the lower end and replace the top as needed. It isn't even cost effective to try and make the axle and brake flange, but that part seems to rarely get damaged, even in a bad crash! What was done in the story above HAS been looked at by the FAA when some really good restoration companies were "restoring" P-51 Mustangs and "Glacier Girl", the P-38 that was recovered from the ice. I think there is a bit more "guidance" available now, but honestly, unless you are getting ridiculous about it, like with the P-51s, the feds just want us to not cause them trouble. They don't WANT to look at us. They want us to go away so they can work on "serious aviation".

Fix them SAFE and don't go crazy and we will be fine. That doesn't mean you can manufacture a part, but you can "fix" it.

Hank

And NEVER put your A&P/IA in the position where he KNOWS you did something "wrong"!

[otrcman]

The trick with a gear fixture isn't to BUILD gear, it is to "Repair" them. A WHOLE lot easier to get them past the FAA rules as a repair! .............

Hank makes a good point. Back in the 1980's one of my friends was buying wrecked Cessna 150's from insurance companies and repairing them to sell. Another of our friends was the A/P who inspected his work, which was always thorough and well done.

One day Charlie (the rebuilder) showed up at Ed's (the A/P) house with a mangled engine mount. Charlie said, "Ed, this engine mount should just be replaced, but Cessna get's over $800 for a new one. Is there any reason why I can't just make it myself ? It would only be a hundred or so in materials."

Ed, of course, replied that you couldn't just make a replacement part, especially when brand new item was available from the manufacturer. You can only do repairs.

So Charlie went home, dejected. A few days later, Charlie showed up at Ed's house with the same engine mount, but with all new tubes installed.

Charlie said, "Can you inspect this repair ?"

Ed replied, "Sure, but the mount is still unairworthy. Look at those twisted end fittings."

Charlies said, "We're not talking about the ends, how about the tubes ?"

Ed said, "They're fine."

Another few days went by, and once again Charlie was at Ed's door with the C-150 mount. Except now, all new ends had been welded on. The mount looked great.

Charlie: "Can you inspect the repaired ends on this mount ?"

Ed: "Well, they look perfect. But like I told you, it's not legal to make a whole new mount."

Charlie: "I didn't make a new mount. I repaired the old one twice. Two separate repairs, two separate inspections. Why can't I do that ?"

As far as I know, both guys are gone now, so I can tell the story. I'll leave it to you all to guess whether Charlie ever bought an $800 mount from Cessna.

[PA1195]

Yes Hank that would be the best approach.....repairs of an existing component. They use straight 1.5" axles on the "new" gear. Either way there must be fixtures as they make both standard length and extended gear. Reinforced well with welded steps. What will kill Taylorcraft will be gear failures. It's only a matter of time with more gear failures. I'm still amazed no one fixes apparently them properly for a living.....maybe too much liability today. However the replacement strut industry thrives on thanks to the TCDS holder.

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

The trick with a gear fixture isn't to BUILD gear, it is to "Repair" them. A WHOLE lot easier to get them past the FAA rules as a repair! You need at a minimum the machined axle end with the area in good shape to weld new tubes to. If you build one from scratch it becomes a manufacturer, not a repair. Of course it seems that things in Alaska are just a bit more "loose" where those differences are concerned. It would be nice if it was a little like that in the lower 48!

[PA1195]

Dr. Tim (who knows Alaska aviation folks) might call Airframes Alaska and ask about who nearby makes as of yet unapproved replacement Taylorcraft gear. I've seen them so someone has fixtures. Airframes makes Cub gear so maybe they'd be interested in competing with UNIVAIR? Even something like this would be worth investigating.

Gary

[Hank Jarrett]

We all talk about it but when the time comes to make parts people all disappear. I have ended up making just a few parts with those who are willing to get together several times. I would suggest the best thing to do is make a list of parts we would like to see made and any with enough support to build the tooling we get together AND DO IT!!!

I would start the list of parts that would be worthwhile with:

1) Landing gear fixtures to rebuild/repair rear legs
2) Aileron hinge and bell crank fittings WELDED!! To replace the cast ones that seem to love to return to the Earth from corrosion or cracks
3) Nose bowls and cowls
4) Boot cowl kits
5) EACH type of wing tip bow (OK, not a lot of demand, but really easy to make with a wood tool! There are lots of pretty messed up looking tips out there. Should be replaced on recover if inexpensive)
6) Formed instrument panels with correct holes OR BLANKS!
7) Control knobs and throttle knobs (may be coming to a mailbox near you soon!)

Other ideas?

Add your dream list and we can pick he one most wanted and see if we can make it work.

Hank

[N96337]

I was hoping someone would have a "fixture" by the time I get started on my gear legs.....
John

[Hank Jarrett]

Part of my problem is I LOVE to work on my plane. I will wear it out from taking it apart and putting it back together long before I wear it out from flying! Not uncommon at all for me to take something OFF the plane to clean it or make a minor change. A&Ps love me! I am always polishing something or touching it up. Tires come off all the time! Gear legs, not so much!

[astjp2]

Seen it done too, but getting it straight in a jig (sorry, "fixture") sure seems a better way if you have a fixture. We NEED a fixture! High on my list of things we need as a group, and I don't even need it for my planes. yet!

too much work to pull the gear Hank, I barely want to pull the tires because the shinn wheels have such a problem being worn out and having spun bearings. IMHO tim