REFLECTOR: Fw: Kit 3RE056 Over Center Linkage

[Ron Brown]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark Machado" <MarkM at VelocityAircraft.com>
To: "Ronnie Brown" <rolandbrown at sprintmail.com>
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2000 8:32 AM
Subject: RE: Kit 3RE056 Over Center Linkage


> Any air in the system would have no effect on the falling of the nose gear
> when the dump valve is released.  Actually, if there was air in the 
> system,
> it would probably fall easier.
>
> Sounds like you have checked things out rather well.  The only thing I can
> imagine is you have a restriction somewhere (i.e. jammed fitting, kinked
> line, release valve not opening entirely, etc.).  I do know the nose gear
> will not fall out well without the tire, tube and aluminum casting in 
> place.
> Simply not enough weight.
>
> The only other possibility is that you have too much interference with the
> captivator as the gear goes through the center position.  As the gear fall
> through the center position, there should be a slight push on the big
> spring, but not so much that it holds the gear up.
>
> Just some thoughts.  Let me know if any of it helps.
>
> Mark
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ronnie Brown [mailto:rolandbrown at sprintmail.com]
> Sent: Thursday, July 06, 2000 7:39 PM
> To: markm at velocityaircraft.com
> Subject: Kit 3RE056 Over Center Linkage
>
> Hi Mark
>
> Thanks for the quick turn around on my bent nose gear over center linkage.
>
> I reinstalled it today and checked for bottoming of the gas shock.  The
> linkage moved smoothly and without any resistance as the gas spring was
> compressed at the bottom of travel.
>
> I did note that this gas shock requires over 50 pounds to compress it.
>
> While we are talking about nose gears, I am having a problem with the nose
> gear not falling down when the equalization valve is opened.  While the 
> over
> center linkage was out, I removed the two hydraulic cylinders.   Then
> mounted them vertically on a ladder with the two hoses at the top then 
> their
> ends submerged in a jar of 5606 fluid.
>
> I exercised both cylinders until there was no further air bubbles.  Then
> reinstalled them taking care to not  reintroduce air into the system.  I
> also vented all high points in my tubing.  Still the nose gear requires
> about 3-4 pounds of additional down force on the tire to make the nose 
> gear
> fall out.
>
> I have disconnected the nose gear hydraulic cylinder, and the gear falls
> down smoothly and quickly. The gas spring does offer some resistance to 
> the
> gear coming down initially, but it doesn't stop it from extending.
>
> But after reconnecting the cylinder - the gear is slow or reluctant to 
> come
> down.  I have also removed the tubing at both ends of the nose gear 
> cylinder
> with no luck.
>
> Other than the emergency extension, the gear works great.  All over 
> centers
> are functioning properly, the stop collars are adjusted and functioning
> correctly. All three landing gears are moving smoothly up and down and the
> nose doors are operating great.
>
> I am satisfied that between pulling the nose up and air loads, the nose 
> gear
> would come down and extend properly when the emergency valve is opened.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Ronnie Brown
>
>
>
>