REFLECTOR: main gear pivot bolts

[Scott Baker]

Most of the Grade-8 bolts that Velocity receives from suppliers are not 
perfectly straight.  I've noticed a bend in the bolts with enough sweep to 
cause friction inside the steel main gear leg insert bushing.  The friction 
is such that a very light tapping with a hammer easily pushes it through the 
bushing.  This may or may not speak to what you describe.
I have notice that most of the main gear bolts seen in the Velocity Service 
Center require a hammer and punch to remove.  This leads me to believe that 
small bends in the main gear bolts are common place.
SB


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Scott Derrick" <scott at tnstaafl.net>
To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 10:44 AM
Subject: REFLECTOR: main gear pivot bolts


>I pulled my main gear off yesterday and was disappointed that the 1/2"
> pivot bolts were slightly bent.  I only have a couple hundred hours on
> this set of  bolts and I don't think I'm that bad of a pilot when it
> comes to landing the thing.  Maybe its all a matter of perspective
> though. :-)
>
> The bolts weren't bent a whole lot, and came out with light persuasion
> from a rubber mallet, but they are bent enough that I don't want to
> re-use them. The gear also retracted fine prior to removal which is my
> usual test to verify all is well as the clearance is fairly close for
> the legs and wheels up in the wings. A leg with a really bent bolt won't
> retract or will bind somewhere, ask me how I know!
>
> I realize a redesign of this part of the system would be a lot of work,
> but every A&P that I have shown this pivot bolt system too has not liked
> it. Its a lot of bending forces on a long bolt that is not supported in
> the middle very well. Maybe the fix is to use a thicker sleeve in the
> leg to provide more support in the middle which is where the bolt always
> bends? Or possibly a better(stiffer) alloy steel for the sleeve?
>
> Anybody else with hundreds of hours on there V that has had to R&R the
> main gear experience what I am?   Bolts always just a little bent?
>
> Scott
>
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