Fairchild Club Forum

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:01 am**

'If any of the group has experience in the renewal of the oleo packing ,if necessary to support the plane if so how did you accomplish this?

Also the packing is a tad hard any ideas on softening it.

Harry

Merry Xmas'

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:43 pm**

'--- In fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com, harry hayman
wrote:

>
> If any of the group has experience in the renewal of the oleo

packing ,if necessary to support the plane if so how did you
accomplish this?

>
> Also the packing is a tad hard any ideas on softening it.
>
> Harry
>
> Merry Xmas
>

Harry,
Recently had both Oleo struts off my 24R46. I suspended the airframe
from the motor mounts to get the whole gear off the ground. Doesn't
sound like you want to get that deep into it? It is however a prime
time to check all gear bolts, universals, for looseness and
elongation. I wouldn't have found a couple of questionable bolts if
I hadn't lifted the weight off the gear. Also found a slightly
elongated attachment lug on the bottom side of one oleo strut. Had
to drill that true, and install an oversized bolt.
I don't know if you can service (replace) the seals with the weight
of the plane on the gear. The piston head is sitting on the bottom
spring for sure, and you could probably get the gland nut off and
fish the seals out. So try it. Clean them up and soften them with
whatever you think might work. Coat the whole seal with a graphite
grease (sparkplug anti-seize paste will work) Put'm back like you
took them out. If the only problem you were having was an oil leak,
it's possible someone over filled them at some time. The seals are
just above the fluid level when the level is correct. The seals act
like wiper only and they're not a pressure seal.
The only difficulty I see happening would be judging how far to
tighten the gland nut. To tight and the gear might not extend. For
safety, after tightening there shouldn't be more than a thread or so
showing at the gland nut. Remember? This supposed to be fun.

Tom
Hanford,Ca'

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:06 pm**

'All I can say about the hardness, they are pretty hard even when the are new. I have a new, unused set, and they are pretty hard/stiff. Not like a hockey puck, or a baseball,.....but pretty close.

Robert Etter
PO Box 974
Tonopah, NV
89049
Tele. 775.482.6820
Cell 702.265.6906

----- Original Message -----
From: harry hayman
To: Fairchild
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 8:01 AM
Subject: [fairchildclub] Main gear oleo packing renewal,F24

If any of the group has experience in the renewal of the oleo packing ,if necessary to support the plane if so how did you accomplish this?

Also the packing is a tad hard any ideas on softening it.

Harry

Merry Xmas

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

'

Posted: **Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:43 pm**

'I have had mine in the maximum number is pieces. First - you probably shouldn't take the gland nut off with weight on the spring. If there is weight on the spring, you probably will see the strut shift side ways just as the last thread of the gland nut starts to come free from the lower section. What it will do is something that I wouldn't like to find out first hand. It may mess up the bottom thread.

When you take the gland nut off, you can fairly easily get the top part of the packing out, but the lower part (the bigger piece) will probably require you to try to pull the top section of the strut out of the larger diameter lower section. It will be fairly tough to do. the larger section of the packing, tends to grab the threads for the gland nut screws on the inside of the large tube.

I would get a length of thick wall pipe, cut to the length of the strut as it would be when slight extended. Jack or raise one side, remove the oleo with universals, and replace it with the pipe.

As a thought, if your gland nut is badly worn, you may need to have it bored/reamed out slightly and sleeved.

Robert Etter
PO Box 974
Tonopah, NV
89049
Tele. 775.482.6820
Cell 702.265.6906

----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Mueller
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 10:43 AM
Subject: [fairchildclub] Re: Main gear oleo packing renewal,F24

--- In fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com, harry hayman
wrote:
>
> If any of the group has experience in the renewal of the oleo
packing ,if necessary to support the plane if so how did you
accomplish this?
>
> Also the packing is a tad hard any ideas on softening it.
>
> Harry
>
> Merry Xmas
>
Harry,
Recently had both Oleo struts off my 24R46. I suspended the airframe
from the motor mounts to get the whole gear off the ground. Doesn't
sound like you want to get that deep into it? It is however a prime
time to check all gear bolts, universals, for looseness and
elongation. I wouldn't have found a couple of questionable bolts if
I hadn't lifted the weight off the gear. Also found a slightly
elongated attachment lug on the bottom side of one oleo strut. Had
to drill that true, and install an oversized bolt.
I don't know if you can service (replace) the seals with the weight
of the plane on the gear. The piston head is sitting on the bottom
spring for sure, and you could probably get the gland nut off and
fish the seals out. So try it. Clean them up and soften them with
whatever you think might work. Coat the whole seal with a graphite
grease (sparkplug anti-seize paste will work) Put'm back like you
took them out. If the only problem you were having was an oil leak,
it's possible someone over filled them at some time. The seals are
just above the fluid level when the level is correct. The seals act
like wiper only and they're not a pressure seal.
The only difficulty I see happening would be judging how far to
tighten the gland nut. To tight and the gear might not extend. For
safety, after tightening there shouldn't be more than a thread or so
showing at the gland nut. Remember. This supposed to be fun.

Tom
Hanford,Ca

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

'

Posted: **Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:39 am**

'When we were working on the gear of mine, we used an engine hoist to
support the load. We used an industrial tie-down webbing wrapped
around the wing struts just above the oleo but we only worked on one
side at a time. Hope this helps.

Regards,
Bradley Bormuth
F24W-40 (NC28640)

--- In fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com, harry hayman
wrote:

>
> If any of the group has experience in the renewal of the oleo

packing ,if necessary to support the plane if so how did you
accomplish this?'

Posted: **Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:06 am**

'Hi Bob
Thanx for the info,your discription gives me a view of the inner workings of the oleo
Harry

Harry Hayman
Phone 904-284-4276
Fax 904-284-3869

--- On Fri, 12/19/08, Bob Etter wrote:

From: Bob Etter
Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Re: Main gear oleo packing renewal,F24
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, December 19, 2008, 5:42 PM

I have had mine in the maximum number is pieces. First - you probably shouldn't take the gland nut off with weight on the spring. If there is weight on the spring, you probably will see the strut shift side ways just as the last thread of the gland nut starts to come free from the lower section. What it will do is something that I wouldn't like to find out first hand. It may mess up the bottom thread.

When you take the gland nut off, you can fairly easily get the top part of the packing out, but the lower part (the bigger piece) will probably require you to try to pull the top section of the strut out of the larger diameter lower section. It will be fairly tough to do. the larger section of the packing, tends to grab the threads for the gland nut screws on the inside of the large tube.

I would get a length of thick wall pipe, cut to the length of the strut as it would be when slight extended. Jack or raise one side, remove the oleo with universals, and replace it with the pipe.

As a thought, if your gland nut is badly worn, you may need to have it bored/reamed out slightly and sleeved.

Robert Etter
PO Box 974
Tonopah, NV
89049
Tele. 775.482.6820
Cell 702.265.6906
----- Original Message -----
From: Tom Mueller
To: fairchildclub@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 10:43 AM
Subject: [fairchildclub] Re: Main gear oleo packing renewal,F24

--- In fairchildclub@ yahoogroups. com, harry hayman
wrote:
>
> If any of the group has experience in the renewal of the oleo
packing ,if necessary to support the plane if so how did you
accomplish this?
>
> Also the packing is a tad hard any ideas on softening it.
>
> Harry
>
> Merry Xmas
>
Harry,
Recently had both Oleo struts off my 24R46. I suspended the airframe
from the motor mounts to get the whole gear off the ground. Doesn't
sound like you want to get that deep into it? It is however a prime
time to check all gear bolts, universals, for looseness and
elongation. I wouldn't have found a couple of questionable bolts if
I hadn't lifted the weight off the gear. Also found a slightly
elongated attachment lug on the bottom side of one oleo strut. Had
to drill that true, and install an oversized bolt.
I don't know if you can service (replace) the seals with the weight
of the plane on the gear. The piston head is sitting on the bottom
spring for sure, and you could probably get the gland nut off and
fish the seals out. So try it. Clean them up and soften them with
whatever you think might work. Coat the whole seal with a graphite
grease (sparkplug anti-seize paste will work) Put'm back like you
took them out. If the only problem you were having was an oil leak,
it's possible someone over filled them at some time. The seals are
just above the fluid level when the level is correct. The seals act
like wiper only and they're not a pressure seal.
The only difficulty I see happening would be judging how far to
tighten the gland nut. To tight and the gear might not extend. For
safety, after tightening there shouldn't be more than a thread or so
showing at the gland nut. Remember. This supposed to be fun.

Tom
Hanford,Ca

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

'

Posted: **Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:20 am**

'?
?
hi Tom
as per your discription that the packing is not a pressure seal solves my problem and goes in my HOW TO BOOK
Question,I I assume the plane had no motor,wings ect when you during your removal of the oleo struts?
Thanx much
Harry

Harry Hayman
Phone 904-284-4276
Fax 904-284-3869

--- On Fri, 12/19/08, Tom Mueller wrote:

From: Tom Mueller
Subject: [fairchildclub] Re: Main gear oleo packing renewal,F24
To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, December 19, 2008, 1:43 PM

--- In fairchildclub@ yahoogroups. com, harry hayman
wrote:
>
> If any of the group has experience in the renewal of the oleo
packing ,if necessary to support the plane if so how did you
accomplish this?
>
> Also the packing is a tad hard any ideas on softening it.
>
> Harry
>
> Merry Xmas
>
Harry,
Recently had both Oleo struts off my 24R46. I suspended the airframe
from the motor mounts to get the whole gear off the ground. Doesn't
sound like you want to get that deep into it? It is however a prime
time to check all gear bolts, universals, for looseness and
elongation. I wouldn't have found a couple of questionable bolts if
I hadn't lifted the weight off the gear. Also found a slightly
elongated attachment lug on the bottom side of one oleo strut. Had
to drill that true, and install an oversized bolt.
I don't know if you can service (replace) the seals with the weight
of the plane on the gear. The piston head is sitting on the bottom
spring for sure, and you could probably get the gland nut off and
fish the seals out. So try it. Clean them up and soften them with
whatever you think might work. Coat the whole seal with a graphite
grease (sparkplug anti-seize paste will work) Put'm back like you
took them out. If the only problem you were having was an oil leak,
it's possible someone over filled them at some time. The seals are
just above the fluid level when the level is correct. The seals act
like wiper only and they're not a pressure seal.
The only difficulty I see happening would be judging how far to
tighten the gland nut. To tight and the gear might not extend. For
safety, after tightening there shouldn't be more than a thread or so
showing at the gland nut. Remember? This supposed to be fun.

Tom
Hanford,Ca

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

'

Posted: **Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:21 am**

'Harry,
I didn't have the wings, or motor off during removal of the oleo
struts. I've never used the jack lift points on the bottom side of
the fuselage (spooky) another member (Bradley) mentioned use of an
engine hoist at the wing strut / oleo strut attachment point. This
is a safe way to go, and it's done one side at a time. The opposite
tire and tail wheel MUST be securely blocked. You only need to hoist
up the side you're working on two or three inches. The tire doesn't
need to clear the ground. Hoist just enough to get the weight off
the bottom spring. After hoisting, and before removing any bolts,
anywhere, vigorously rock the tire fore and aft listening for any
looseness or slop anywhere. Doing that lead me to replacing all the
fuselage attachment bolts and bushings. I'm convinced the gear leg
would have failed some point in the future because of looseness
found there.
Anyway, once you get to the point were you can get the oleo strut
off you'll find it easy to recondition, and worth the effort.
(Note) Block the hoist's hydraulic unit somehow. It will lose some
of its ability to hold pressure if left overnight.
Tom
Hanford,Ca'

Posted: **Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:34 am**

'Harry:

> Also the packing is a tad hard any ideas on softening it.
>

I had a leaking strut on my F24 a few years back. The packing was
rock hard. I could not locate replacements, so my old-time IA had me
simmer the packing in ATF for a couple hours. I coated them with
graphite grease and reinstalled them and they have been fine since.
If that hadnt worked, I was going to try square teflon-coated packing
that is used in marine shaft stuffing boxes.

> If any of the group has experience in the renewal of the oleo
> packing ,if necessary to support the plane if so how did you
> accomplish this?

Like Tom, we lifted the plane by the engine mounts. We wrapped heavy
nylon webbing on the upper mount tubes as close to the firewall as
possible. Fortunately there was a portable overhead crane at the
shop. A light webbing from a strut to a weight on the floor ensured
that the plane wouldnt rock.

I think you would have to take the weight off the strut to renew the
packing. If for no other reason, to judge how much the gland nuts
have to be tightened after reassembly. You need to be sure the gear
extends under its own weight.

p.s.: I discovered that I needed to buy a new pin wrench and take a
grinder to it to fit the gland nut. The recesses in the nut were too
close to the strut piston to allow clearance for the wrench I first
tried (the arms of the wrench would contact the piston strut before
the pins could reach their holes).

Good luck.

:Dan

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]'

Posted: **Sat Dec 20, 2008 2:07 pm**

'Hy Harry!

About lifting the plane, don't you have on our ArgusIII level pin under the front end of fuselage tubing??
By us, we do litf each year the plane (or almost each year) by putting traditionnal leveling-screws under the front end.

about rubber parts, some years ago, I did help t replace such parts with 70/80 shore rubber newly cut washers. (it was when I did work in a company dealing with rubbers materials), but those parts don't seems to look so important in the functionnality, when you really on how the landing gear work!

I saw your plané did had some trouble..hope it will be back on the air soon!

Airy
(F-AZCI french F-24 mechanics in Chartres).

To: fairchildclub@yahoogroups.comFrom: f24r@mindspring.comDate: Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:35:00 -0600Subject: Re: [fairchildclub] Main gear oleo packing renewal,F24

Harry:> Also the packing is a tad hard any ideas on softening it.>I had a leaking strut on my F24 a few years back. The packing was rock hard. I could not locate replacements, so my old-time IA had me simmer the packing in ATF for a couple hours. I coated them with graphite grease and reinstalled them and they have been fine since. If that hadnt worked, I was going to try square teflon-coated packing that is used in marine shaft stuffing boxes.> If any of the group has experience in the renewal of the oleo > packing ,if necessary to support the plane if so how did you > accomplish this?Like Tom, we lifted the plane by the engine mounts. We wrapped heavy nylon webbing on the upper mount tubes as close to the firewall as possible. Fortunately there was a portable overhead crane at the shop. A light webbing from a strut to a weight on the floor ensured that the plane wouldnt rock.I think you would have to take the weight off the strut to renew the packing. If for no other reason, to judge how much the gland nuts have to be tightened after reassembly. You need to be sure the gear extends under its own weight.p.s.: I discovered that I needed to buy a new pin wrench and take a grinder to it to fit the gland nut. The recesses in the nut were too close to the strut piston to allow clearance for the wrench I first tried (the arms of the wrench would contact the piston strut before the pins could reach their holes).Good luck.:Dan[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

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