REFLECTOR: Shimmy and Nose Gear Pivot Bushings

[HYTEC45 at aol.com]

After 700 hours flying my STDRG, I find that I only have a shimmy (nose  
wheel) problem when my Cleveland brake disks get some time(braking) on  them.  
They seem to warp just enough to cause a shaking (however slight) in  the main 
gear leg, which in turns produces the nose shimmy.  This only  happens on 
landings while decelerating through 30 mph and below.  If I  have the room (proper 
runway management), I let off the brakes, and the shimmy  stops immediately.  
On landing, immediately after touch down of the nose  wheel, I apply steady, 
firm and somewhat aggressive breaking  to approximately 35/40 mph.  Then I let 
off, and coast as much as the  available runway will allow. This does tow 
things.  First it confirms that  I in fact do have good breaking capability's while 
I still have runway and  airspeed to go around, and second (I feel) limits 
the amount of time the pads  are in contact with the disk.  I know the argument 
that this causes more  heat, but I am on them less.  This technique seems to 
eliminate the "brake  caused shimmy" once the symptoms start which is after 
about 50 (normal breaking  )landings on new disks.  When it bothers me to much, I 
either turn the  disks, or replace them.
 
Right now, the right brake causes some nose shimmy, so I will probably  turn 
that disk, and that will be that for a while.
 
TEC
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