REFLECTOR: Nose gear damper failure.

[Stockman, Bill via Reflector]

Larry

I had a similar incident on my 173LWFG only with one of the early shimmy damper devices.   In my case, the nose gear always was fine without the wheel pant, but went crazy with it, so I tried device which actually locks the nose gear in place.  Unfortunately one flight it missed the hole and things got real exciting on landing.

I had to replace the gear leg, wheel, tire, pivot bushings, etc.     The first step is to remove everything and repair the keel where the bushing were potted.   I added an addition layup on 2bid fabric on each side and across the top.   After that just follow the original build instruction for installing the gear.   Make sure they install the new rubber bumper pad if they didn't already have it installed.     The biggest problem was the panel, elevator control tube, etc. which is all in the way.    I ended up unbolting the panel and pulling it up out of the way.

Good luck.

bill

From: Reflector [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On Behalf Of Laurence Coen via Reflector
Sent: Sunday, October 04, 2015 4:33 PM
To: reflector
Subject: REFLECTOR: Nose gear damper failure.

I got a call from the gentleman that bought my plane Saturday morning to tell me he had a violent shimmy that wrecked the nose gear.  He had added the viscous damper to the nose gear and loved the improved ground handling.  He had made about 25 landings without any problems prior to this incident.  The arm on the damper now moves independently of the shaft.  The resulting shimmy destroyed the fork and tore the pivot bushings out of the keel.  The gear leg kept the nose off the pavement which prevented hull damage.

I would appreciate any advice on how to proceed with repairs from anyone that has had similar damage.

Also, does anyone know of a damper failure?

Larry Coen
N136LC (builder)
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