Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 22:39
Actually, things went pretty well.
At first I was reading on the NAA forum about bronzing the stuffing box on the oleo housing but then I found part (U1-2253) AERONCA OLEO HOUSING $86.00 that had the stuffing box already welded on. All I had to do is insert the piston rod, attach the piston to the rod and get the bottom fitting welded on! Then I installed the spring with a press, blocked it off with the retainer and that was it.
Tip for the packing: let it soak in the hydraulic oil or fork oil (whatever your going to be using) for 24 hours, this way the packing will soak up the oil. 
The bigest job is getting the oleo bushings [ U1-2565 ] out of the vees. I used a hand saw and a good source of lighting. the Trick is to cut the bushing all the way and then curl it on itself. Don't try pulling it out before it is cut all the way, this method leads to misery. Don't ask how I found that out...My vees were out of round, so I used a few muffler clamps to make it round again so I could insert the bushing. Before inserting the bushing, I had a machinist cut the inside of the bushing so that the inside diameter would fit very tightly the (U1-2253) OLEO HOUSING. Then I inserted the bushing in the vee and used a reamer for final ajustement (as per Nate's advice!).
It will be interesting to see how the Champ handles on the ground with these almost new gears
I did change all the bushings attachements for the gears, most of them were seized...And I did put anti seize grease on all bushings.
Senior hope this helps you out.
At first I was reading on the NAA forum about bronzing the stuffing box on the oleo housing but then I found part (U1-2253) AERONCA OLEO HOUSING $86.00 that had the stuffing box already welded on. All I had to do is insert the piston rod, attach the piston to the rod and get the bottom fitting welded on! Then I installed the spring with a press, blocked it off with the retainer and that was it.
Tip for the packing: let it soak in the hydraulic oil or fork oil (whatever your going to be using) for 24 hours, this way the packing will soak up the oil. The bigest job is getting the oleo bushings [ U1-2565 ] out of the vees. I used a hand saw and a good source of lighting. the Trick is to cut the bushing all the way and then curl it on itself. Don't try pulling it out before it is cut all the way, this method leads to misery. Don't ask how I found that out...My vees were out of round, so I used a few muffler clamps to make it round again so I could insert the bushing. Before inserting the bushing, I had a machinist cut the inside of the bushing so that the inside diameter would fit very tightly the (U1-2253) OLEO HOUSING. Then I inserted the bushing in the vee and used a reamer for final ajustement (as per Nate's advice!).
It will be interesting to see how the Champ handles on the ground with these almost new gears
I did change all the bushings attachements for the gears, most of them were seized...And I did put anti seize grease on all bushings.Senior hope this helps you out.
! Pretty nice! The plane seems to hug the runway upon landing or maybe that's just me touching down at the proper speed 