National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

I have two different gear axles on my Champ, probably caused by damage repair at some time. Notice on the first picture the welding on the top axle and the second picture shows one axle with an interchangeble bushing and the other (top one ) without.



Can anyone tell me which is the correct gear for a 1946 Champ?

I believe the top one is for very early champs and chiefs - the lower version was used on later 7AC's and subsequent 7 series aircraft. The simple answer is that either one is OK for a Champ with a gross of 1220 lbs. Just make sure you have two of a kind If I am incorrect there are some very knowledgeable guys who will jump in with the correct info.

Interestingly enough, when I bought my Champ project 30 years ago I also had one of each. I purchased a second strut like your bottom one. For what it's worth, I still have the axle strut similar to your top one if you decide to go that way.

Tim

I have one of each on my Champ.

Thanks for the offer Tim but I ordered a gear leg last Friday. Between the botrh of us we'll have a complete set!

Both of mine are like the bottom photo.
1946 7AC
ser# 2716

I got a new gear axle from Univair and now I have 3 different axles
THe brown one is the new one. Notice the welding at the top of the axle where it attaches underneath the fusilage. Also, the hole isn't big enough to insert the bushing ( which I ordered from Univair also) Did I get the wrong part or is that the way they come? In that case, why sell the bushing if it doesn't fit
Anyone come accross this before?

here's the link:

http://s600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90 ... G_3567.jpg

It may be the perspective that you took the picture at but the bottom gear appears to have a greater diameter than the top. Hopefully that is not the case or now you would have 3 different axles

The early style axle did not use a bushing - it attaches to the fuselage bracket with a AN5-14 bolt and AN310-5 nut. Perhaps if the hole becomes worn you can drill it oversize and install the bushing. The reason they used bushings on later models was so they could be replaced.

The later style used a bushing (PN AS-5-5-902) and a AN5-15 bolt.

While we're at it - on the early style the bottom bracket on the axle accepts a AN6-22 bolt while the later style MAY be drilled for a AN7-27 (7EC). I have the later style axle on my champ but it was drilled for the smaller bolt. When I installed new no-bounce oleos on my aircraft I had to get an oversize bushing from Safe-air (now wag aero) in order to stay with the smaller bolt.

Since you are obviously going thru the landing gear I would suggest that you check carefully for any slop in the landing gear attachments. With the oleo type of gear this is a concern, but there are fixes if you find any.

Bonne chance!

Tim

Here is a picture of the other end of the axle. I will most likely get the axle machined in order to install a bushing unless Univair sent me the wrong one in which case I'll send that one back. The middle and the bottom axle from the picture are identical except for the welding at the top and the impossibility to insert the bushing with the hole this size.

Tim, is your Champ a 7AC?



http://s600.photobucket.com/albums/tt90 ... 1402603108

wish I could get this picture posting problem resolved

Hugh,
Now I'm really confused! Your new axle looks to be a hybrid of the two you've got...

You'll notice the middle one has a swaged end and is all one piece. The early style has the characteristic top and bottom welds. I personally don't know if Aeronca ever made them like your new one... maybe somebody could tell you more than I can. I assume it isn't too wide at the top to fit in the bracket... it does look to be a larger diameter than the other two.

Regarding the bushing, the end of your new one looks beefy enough to be drilled out to accept the bushing if you want. You could also throw it in your parts drawer and keep it in case you need it later. The bushing is a press fit so you'll need to drill it very carefully. Me, I'd take it to a machine shop.

Yes, I have a 7AC (converted). Actually it is a Heintz 57 that I put together from a basket case about 30 years ago. When I saw my axles didn't match I found one at a salvage yard like your middle example. It is the design used on the heavier champs so I figured it was the way to go. Since it is on the type certificate there is no problem "upgading" the gear. My Champ is the equivalent of (and mostly made from) a L16A (7BCM.)

Tim

Tim,

Exacltly, it is a blend of the top and the middle one. Definitely be going to a machine shop to get that bushing installed.

Didn't think I could convert to no bounce on a 7AC