Landing gear rig tooling

[sabwjz]

Is anyone aware of a place you can rent the landing gear rigging tooling.  I'm in Ohio.

 

Thanks

[GeorgePerry]

Try these guys...they are very friendly and helpfull.  I recently rented the shock disk install tool and it was a fantastic piece of kit.  They might have what you need

 

http://www.hangartoolbox.com/Pages/19.aspx

[sabwjz]

Thanks for the info I'll have to look them up.

 

[Jerry 5TJ]

I recently bought a set of landing gear rigging tools, one each for the main and nose gear preload testing.

These are new tools, made by an Arizona-based Mooney "F" owner who does CNC machining.   He made several sets and they are for sale on EBAY.   Check out EBAY item number 260621786655. 

The tools look fine and they fit my "C" perfectly.   Cheaper than factory tooling by a half.  An alternative to renting the tools with about four years ROI. 

Disclaimer:  I didn't know Craig before I saw these rigging tools on EBAY, I paid his asking price and got no discount for this blurb. 

[Kwixdraw]

Not trying to be a weenie or anything but I have a Question about this for any A&P IA types or FAA folks that might know. If you use these tools does it open you to problems since they are not "THE TOOL" specified in the service manual. I may just be hyper sensitive to this stuff since I'm doing the A&P classes but I don't want to see any of use find ourselves in a pickle with the feds over a technicality and we know how they can get once they find something to complain about.

Lonestar Aero sells the factory tools and also rents them.

[N9937c]

When I saw the tools on Ebay I was ready to buy. I then got to thinking about the tools not being "approved tools".

While its sad to have a quality tool available at a reasonable price that allow us to maintain our planes I dont see it as being a "legal alternative" to the factory tool.

An alternative shock rubber installation tool as I see it would be fine to use as it would be considered a device to allow maintenance to be performed. There are any number of ways to install the donuts without the tool but it is WAY easier to use them. The rigging tools would assure airworthiness to be maintained by allowing the torque to be measured. Using the NON FACTORY tools would be the same as using HOME DEPOT bolts and nut in place of AN fasteners.

Larry

[Barry]

Does this mean there is a Mooney approved screwdriver and wrench ??

[Sabremech]

These tools are OK to use as long as they are able to perform the same function as the tools listed in the Mooney Maint manual. I bought a set of them myself and if I was concerned about the identicality, I'll rent a set of the official tooling to compare them. My company manufactures tooling for Dassault Falcon airplanes, so alternatives are out there and can be used. I've discussed tooling with my local FSDO when I started manufacturing. My conversations with them found nothing that would keep me from making them as long as the fit, form and function are the same.

 

 

[Kwixdraw]

Thanks Sabermech. Like I said, I wasn't trying to poke a hornets nest, just trying to make sure these were OK to use. I just bought a set of the Mooney built ones and would sure have been able to use the extra cash to put into parts and supplies rather than the tooling but hey, they don't wear out. One of the things they are constantly hammering us about is the calibration and certification of tools and approved service documents and manuals. It's enough to make you go homebuilt for cryin' out loud.

[kerry]

The last mooney I bought came with a set.  How much are these things worth.  There's not much to them.  I would like someone to teach me how to use them.  If anyone's close to Vegas and need to use them I would consider letting you borrow them if you give me a demo on how they work. 

[N9937c]

Would the nod of approval be issued from a FSDO that cant or will not make a field approval or let a 337 with prior approved data pass? Would they allow a connecting rod manufactured without PMA to be used under the fit, form and function criteria?

I dont think Mooney has "approved" screwdrivers or wrenches but I am sure when torque values are called they expect you to use a "calibrated" torque wrench.

The gear rigging tools mentioned here may be identical to or even superior to the factory part BUT if you were to have a gear problem resulting in a incident or accident, I would almost bet the FSDO will not remember the conversation but will surely want to know who did the rigging and how was it done. I am sure the insurance co. want to know also.

Larry

[Alan Fox]

The aftermarket tools are fine , also there is a service bulletin that changes the preload tourque on earlier models.. 

[Sabremech]

We're talking about a tool that does not require calibration, not a connecting rod or aircraft hardware. Keeping the focus on the tooling, it is perfectly acceptable to use this tooling. If there was an incident that could be definitively tied to this particular tooling, then you may have a valid point. More likely the FAA would be looking at whether the mechanic used the tooling correctly versus was the tooling wrong. It's OK for those who want to use Mooney only tooling as well as those of us who choose to use acceptable alternatives.