Roger Lee Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 Here is a good FYI safety check and inspection, The front suspension all all our CT's have red polyurethane shock dampeners in the front suspension tube. There used to be springs and all those should have been tossed out and these dampeners installed years ago. There are 6 of these separated by fender washers. These are a consumable item and after many years, hours or hard nose wheel landings these can smash down and deform or even disintegrate. It isn't a major safety item, but needs to be address immediately if you have front suspension up and down FREE play. to prevent excessive wear and further repairs. Thereplacement is fairly easy to do and takes about 1 - 1.5 hours. Here are a couple of pictures of what could happen. I have replaced several of these now. Here is a video too to show an easy check during a pre-flight and this should also be used during an annual. The cameraman and actor can use a little help , but I'm sure you'll get the idea. These videos usually aren't planned and are a spur of the moment shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anticept Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 Why don't we use oleo struts? Weight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 Yawn. I still don't understand this. My aircraft still has the original springs. And about 1500 landings, most of them student. Every year I remind my mechanic to check the nose gear at annual. Every year he says there's no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted January 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 I don't really know. Weight and cost would be a good guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted January 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 Hi Jim, Not every plane had problems,but many did due to too much up and down travel in the system that wore out the slot and pin. The front end would also bottom out for many. If you have someone push down on your tail, do you have any wiggle either side to side or up and down? Side to side was the worst wear with the spring. It actually cost some new front ends. I find the majority don't know what they are looking for or how to check for it. That's why I thought I would post a little video to help make owners or mechanics a little more vigilant and how to do a quick easy test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
procharger Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 Where is video Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted January 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 Sorry, it's there now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmInce Posted January 11, 2014 Report Share Posted January 11, 2014 Thanks Roger. Really good info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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