REFLECTOR: Main wheel angle

[Scott Derrick]

I setup the gear a few years ago when I put new legs on her.  As I
remember the instructions called for doing it unloaded which is what I
did.  She taxi's straight and runs down the runway straight, but the
negative camber when loaded bothers me.

I'd just build in more camber but it would require elongating the holes
through the legs for the axle.  They fit perfectly now and I hate to do
that as it seems weaker if the bolts aren't a snug fit.

I am really close to flying,  hopefully high speed taxi test this weekend!

Scott

nmflyer1 at aol.com wrote:
> Scott:
>  
> I had posted some concerns about my wheels in the past. I didn't have
> the wings or engine on when I first aligned my gear. If I remember
> right, my old plans didn't say to have it loaded to set the alignment.
>  
> Once  put on the wings, engine, instrument panel etc, things changed a
> LOT. I remember being concerned that if I set it at that point, it
> would change a bunch more when fully loaded.
>  
> I talked to someone at the factory, and was told that most of the
> change would occur where/when it happened to me, but that there would
> be a little more change going from empty to full gross.
>  
> I opted to set my alignment with the empty plane, half tanks of fuel,
> and about 600 pounds inside (about where people would sit).
>  
> Then I made an "alignment shim" It is basically a 1/8" piece of
> aluminum, and then kind of follow the plans...
> What I did was set the toe in on the outside of the aluminum shim..
> like it says to do in the plans. Then I set the camber on the opposite
> side of the shim. It made it much easier to adjust one axis, without
> messing the other up as much. I also rationalized that if I have to
> change it later.. it will be much easier.
>  
> In the end, I used a micrometer to make the final adjustments. The
> book is about right on what washer thickness gets you what toe in.
> Problem is, I needed 1/4-1/2 of a washer thickness. No biggy, just
> sanded one down til it was right (and wrote in my builders log so I
> knew what I had in place).
>  
> It took me some time, but I am really pleased with the result. Like
> usual, I was being pretty picky about the numbers. I figure a V that
> tracks straight can only help with other concerns such as braking,
> nose wheel stiffness, etc.
>  
> Call me if you have any questions. I'm on my way outside to work on
> the rt door some more.
>  
> Kurt
> 505-610-3676
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Scott Derrick <scott at tnstaafl.net>
> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
> Sent: Mon, Aug 31, 2009 5:54 pm
> Subject: REFLECTOR: Main wheel angle
>
> My main gear wheels/tires have a slight positive camber when taxing
> straight ahead with just me in the plane.
>
> But with a heavy load or when turning, one or both of the legs
> splay(sic?) out a bit and the wheels show a definite negative camber. 
> I'd say 5+ degrees.
> It looks weird.
>
> I was going to try to modify the end of the leg so the axle has a angled
> pad to bolt to that would angle the wheels a bit more so there was more
> positive camber.
>
> Anybody else seen this behavior?  Done anything about it?  Thinks its fine?
>
> Scott
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