Landing gear

[Mark Cantrell]

Hello, as a new Comanche owner I am getting quite an education. I was wondering
If anyone could tell me if they ever pushed up on their landing gear while it was partially retracted on jacks? If so how much were you able to move it? How much play is acceptable?
I appreciate any input on the subject. My conduits only have 200 hrs on them and they appear in good shape. Overall I have a couple of bushings that I'm sure need replaced but none are
Terrible. Thanks.

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Anytime the gear is in transit it is pretty sloppy. Full up or full down there should be very little movement. On the up side, if rigged correctly the main gear will pull all the way up to the stoppers and rest solidly against them so they don't bounce in turbulence. On the down side, you should not be able to de any discernible movement at any joint in any of the linkage when you push or pull on the landing gear when on jacks. You should not be able to push up on the main gear drag links and break them over center with any reasonable push of your palm. Nose gear is the same and should not have any play and you shouldn't see any movement around any of the joints especially near the special bolts that have grease zerks, and at the bolt that holds the drag links to the nose gear reunion. Once you break the gear over center, you will obviously see motion in these areas, and the gear should always be greased unloaded(in transit).

Zach

[Mark Cantrell]

Zack. Thanks for your input. I'm sure there is a little more clearance in some of the bolt to bushing fits than new parts would have and I hope to get it 100% at its next annual.
It's previous owner kept it on a grass strip ☹️ My A&P has no Comanche experience so we are learning it together.
All in all I'm quite impressed with the old girl. She's not the bell of the ball 58 years old but at less than 9 gph to go 139 kts I can put up with a few wrinkles.
Thanks Mark

[LeWayne Garrison]

Everything Zach said is correct. However, do not trust the gear to "feel". A set of "go, no-go" gauges is essential for checking the bushings. I believe ICS has a loaner set. If the gear has very much play I would check the bushings with the gauges before further flight. Otherwise check at the prescribed number of hours in the landing gear AD.