Oleo Struts

[jimknuck]

I have read alot of posts about rebuilding oleo struts on a Chief. Since one of mine was floppy and the other was rigid, I ordered new parts from Wag. I measured the new springs and they were the same length. I then compressed them and they were again identical. After compression, they came back to 11 1/8 just like when I bought them. I guess the issue with uneven springs has been fixed at Wag. I built a temporary frame so I can remove the entire srut with housing and then let the plane sit back down, I will take piccture if anybody is interested.. I kenw there was a problem with them because at touchdown, it would dive to the right. I can't wait to see what I have in there. Jim Greer.I have an AI that is gonna supervise.

[jimknuck]

Well, I took them offand both bushings in the strut housing were fine. The springs were about 10.5 inches long so it is ready for new springs. One had rust pitting in the piston shaft that allowed all of the oil to leak past so it was almost dry. Very soft and spongey. On the other side, the pivot bolts were frozen in the strut frame so it would barely move ( made landings interesting). I replaced both piston assemblies with new stuffing boxes, springs etc. Now for the interesting part, when i raised the gear off the ground, both wheels had alot of movement from side to side. The bushings in the bottom of each strut were completely worn out. I have not seen much written about these but I would recommend checking them. Jim

[DC Krog]

Always use Never-seize compound on those landing gear bolts so they will not bind up due to lack of lube in the future. Also it won't "wash" out from soap and water if you uses that stuff....

I like Case Hy-tran fluid for oleo fluid. It is fairly close to the 10w oil recommend and it won't "gum up" with stick Mil-5606.

DC Krog

[jimknuck]

I was planning on using anti sieze compoud on the bolts but I was wondering about the oil. I was thinking of hydraulic jack oil but I will go to our local tractor store and check out the hydraulic fluid.

[Paul Agaliotis]

Jim,
Any good hydraulic oil will work. Don't forget the motorcycle fork oils also.
As crazy as it sounds, fuel lube works good on the gear pivot bolts also.
Paul

[jimknuck]

I finally put the struts back on the plane with new bushings and bolts also. I flew it today and there IS NO COMPARISON! It actually lands smoothly and will go where you point it, best of all, it no longer tries to make a sharp turn on its own. What a big difference......

[joea]

Nothing like a well sorted out landing gear to make life easier! Glad it worked out for you.