Can you identify broken nose gear link?

[neilpilot]

Mooney is AOG at KPWK, and partner is on the way back via airlines.  We need to identify the broken part so we can have one shipped to A&P.  This is on a 65 M20C, S/N 3042. Probably not pertinent, but a rebuilt LASAR steering horn was installed in 2004.

 

Looking at parts manual it's likely 5032-9 (nose gear retracting link) but all I have to go on for now is the photo.

[Guitarmaster]

Hard to tell from the pic, but it looks like it might the steering link.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[tony]

That looks like the link that goes to the steering horn.  In the parts manual its number 28 on page 156 and page 158.  Part Number F34-14; steering link

[neilpilot]

3 minutes ago, tony said:

That looks like the link that goes to the steering horn.  In the parts manual its number 28 on page 156 and page 158.  Part Number F34-14; steering link

Tony, you must be using a M20F manual.  My parts manual is for M20B/C/D/E.

I do think it looks like the steering link, but that's on page 117-118 (number 3) in my manual.  Looks like P/N 7114.  Anyone else have a different idea?

[takair]

Steering link.  LASAR stocks them.  Curious how or when it broke?

[neilpilot]

Partner turned onto taxiway this morning, heard a bang.  Then pronounced shimmy and no nose gear control.  

[Andy95W]

Easiest thing to do is send Dan at LASAR your picture.    Parts-Mods@lasar.com 

800-954-5619

He'll send you the parts you need.  I'd suggest replacing both bearing attachments (male and female) plus all attaching hardware.  Total cost in parts less than $100.

You're looking at #28 in the picture and parts list, below.

 

[carusoam]

That must have been like a bolt breaking...

I looked that part up in my parts catalog for CDEF machines.

1) it looks like it is designed to be a push/pull type rod that is attached to the rudders at one end and the steering horn at the other.

2) the photo looks more like it may have bent before breaking.  Hard to tell...

3) are the broken surfaces clean, or old oxidized looking? Clean means it broke recently, old and oxidized means it has been breaking for some time.

4) a closer photo with good focus will tell more about the failure.

5) knowing more about the failure, may tell you if there is something else not right to look for.

6) the parts catalog has a few bearings related to steering from the rudders to the nose wheel.  Something to consider while your mechanic is in there.

7) make sure it is not related to the retraction system.  Moving the plane with broken retraction rods could have the adverse effect of collapsed gear

PP ideas, I am not a mechanic.

Best regards,

-a-

Andy's part drawings are much improved over the one I have... The steering link has more definition in parts.  The one I have shows the link assembled and installed.

re-looking at the photo, the rod looks like it bent prior to breaking.  Have your mechanic determine what made it bend.

[Jim Peace]

Outcome?

[neilpilot]

Steering link was replaced and aircraft recovered. Post repair inspection reveals a dent in steering horn, and so we will be replacing that part as well.  It's obvious there was an over steering tow that occurred, likely some time ago but after our 2012 prebuy. Rust on the end of the broken link indicates this is older damage that eventually caused the link to break.

I'm currently in Madrid, so my partner is handling all the leg work and this information comes to me via email.

 

[takair]

Wow, that is quite a bend.  May want to have them check the rigging stops.  If I recall correctly, the nose gear should hit the stops before the rudder to prevent downstream link damage.  Is it possible that the rudder hits the stop first and allowed this bend.  

[DXB]

4 hours ago, takair said:

Wow, that is quite a bend.  May want to have them check the rigging stops.  If I recall correctly, the nose gear should hit the stops before the rudder to prevent downstream link damage.  Is it possible that the rudder hits the stop first and allowed this bend.  

Ack - I wondered the same thing - was there also damage on the nose gear truss at the expected location to corroborate over-steer during tow?  I thought this was the first place that tow-induced damage showed up.  If I'm wrong, I feel the urge to inspect my link soon...

[carusoam]

Neil, Thank you for posting that photo...

Enjoy Madrid, it is a fabulous city.  The one in Spain, right?

We need to come up with a proper phrase for the AOPA fueling card, a hanging sign from the prop,  and a donut, to get the point accross to linemen.

Oversteering causes harm!

 

Follow up question: How well does differential braking work after nose wheel steering has been lost?

Best regards,

-a-

[Rwsavory]

4 hours ago, carusoam said:

 

 

Follow up question: How well does differential braking work after nose wheel steering has been lost?

Best regards,

-a-

Neil's partner here.  Differential braking worked ok for steering.  The plane tended to weathervane, though.  Luckily my taxi back to the ramp was a short one.

[StinkBug]

On 3/20/2016 at 9:50 AM, carusoam said:

 

We need to come up with a proper phrase for the AOPA fueling card, a hanging sign from the prop,  and a donut, to get the point accross to linemen.

Oversteering causes harm!

 

I have a sign that hangs from the gear truss reminding them not to oversteer. I put it on anytime I stop somewhere that might try to tow the plane. 

[Rwsavory]

We replaced the old truss with a rebuilt unit from Lasar.  Here are a couple pictures of the old one taken from different angles.  Somebody at an FBO really yanked the thing over.

[Andy95W]

Worst dent I've ever seen on a Mooney nose gear. 

[Guitarmaster]

We replaced the old truss with a rebuilt unit from Lasar.  Here are a couple pictures of the old one taken from different angles.  Somebody at an FBO really yanked the thing over.

Hope the FBO paid for it!

[Rwsavory]

59 minutes ago, Guitarmaster said:

Hope the FBO paid for it!

Unfortunately, the damage went undetected for an extended period of time.  So it will not be possible to determine the responsible party.