Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

[crispy critter]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Mike,
If you have to splice it,then straighten it....why not just buy a piece a streamline tubing and replace the entire piece. It would probably be quicker,easier,and certinly would look better in the end.

[mhorowit]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Mike,
If you have to splice it,then straighten it....why not just buy a piece a streamline tubing and replace the entire piece. It would probably be quicker,easier,and certinly would look better in the end.

Good morning Kevin - we've already determined that I'm going to repair this with an external splice because of the massiveness of that upper weld. So the question is, how to straighten that tubing? - MIke

[mhorowit]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Mike,
If you have to splice it,then straighten it.

Any reason I can't heat one edge to red and apply a hammer? - Mike

[Pearson]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Hammers are very good if you want a dent, or to drive a nail. What you need here is pressure.

I am with the rest of the majority on this one. Replace the whole tube. Someone with experience working metal can heat up that mass of weld and, using the leverage of the tube, gently pry the tube right out of the weld.

[ricky]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Hey everyone,I had my two landing gear redone at factory,when they were in La Grange Tx,it cheepper to have someone else do the job,then you know it done right,especially when his name is on the log, it only cost me 250us for
this job,it look neet,an look new

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Got to agree on this one. You need some good experience to tackle that weld (more than you will have gotten at this point) and a splice will look like trash to you every time you walk out to the plane. Find a GOOD welder, preferably one who has done this job before, and pay to have it done so you are proud of it. If you could get it done for $250 US I would JUMP on it!
I had a spliced tube on my gear and I couldn't WAIT to get it fixed right. No idea how much the gear was, he did all of the welding on my fuselage at one time. You can't even tell it has ever been touched.
He also let me help for no extra charge!
Hank

If you are interested I can get you in touch with him. He taught welding to the shipyard guys who built nuke subs, but he is a real artist on thin wall tube too.

[mhorowit]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Got to agree on this one. You need some good experience to tackle that weld (more than you will have gotten at this point) and a splice will look like trash to you every time you walk out to the plane. Find a GOOD welder, preferably one who has done this job before, and pay to have it done so you are proud of it. If you could get it done for $250 US I would JUMP on it!
I had a spliced tube on my gear and I couldn't WAIT to get it fixed right. No idea how much the gear was, he did all of the welding on my fuselage at one time. You can't even tell it has ever been touched.
He also let me help for no extra charge!
Hank

If you are interested I can get you in touch with him. He taught welding to the shipyard guys who built nuke subs, but he is a real artist on thin wall tube too.

Yeah; let's keep that option open. I'll check with someone locally, but I could use the name and number. Thanks - Mike

[Carrieve]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Many years ago I bought new tie struts from Dorothy Ferris and put them in myself. It took some fitting and grinding but they are still holding after many unforgiving landings. I think a new strut would "look" so much stronger than a patched one. MHO

[Arnold Wallace]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Mike, have you checked your private messages?

[mhorowit]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Mike, have you checked your private messages?

Yes; I saw one from you and when I went back to re-read it, couldn't find it!
I think it was stored differently from my other PMs(?). Is that possible? I think it got associated with a 'notification' - Please retrans - Mike

[mhorowit]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Many years ago I bought new tie struts from Dorothy Ferris and put them in myself. It took some fitting and grinding but they are still holding after many unforgiving landings. I think a new strut would "look" so much stronger than a patched one. MHO

I can't not agree with anyone who suggests replacing the tube, but my skills are such that if I can find the details how to build the lower end of the strut (I have yet to look for it in the CDs) I'm still very wary about the other end which will require a LOT of heat. I've got a name coming in from down state that I might have do the job - or maybe a compromise; I'll do the lower end and he does the upper That will make me feel like I accomplished something - Mike

How did you unweld the connection at the top?

[mhorowit]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Mike, have you checked your private messages?

Found it! NY86 pointed out the "secret place" to which some PM's end up and there you were - Mike

[high time cub]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

I'm still very wary about the other end which will require a LOT of heat.

I'll do the lower end and he does the upper That will make me feel like I accomplished something - Mike

Sometimes it takes a helper with a second torch.

"One can have a dream, baby"

"Two can make that dream so real"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeOYZfeEckc

Good Luck Mike!

HT

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

I went to the link expecting a Taylorcraft vid. I haven't hear that song for a LOOOOOONG time! Who would have known Marvin and Kim were singing about Taylorcraft landing gear legs!
Hank

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Is there a prohibition on two splices on a landing gear strut?

Actually you cut the upper end off with a 4-6 in stub on a 30 degree and then inside splice the new lower end on ; that is the reason for the bolt. Easy to do out in the field.