Nose gear part ID

[Nukemzzz]

So while the engine is out on my 66’ E it was almost too easy to get to the nose gear parts and I decided to address some slope and change out the Lord Bushings. 

What I found was a loose bolt holding an anchor point for the mechanism that allows the gear to pivot up without stopping rudder function as well as some play in the truss bushings.  If I tighten the bolt (blue arrow) it snugs things up quite a bit but I don’t know that it will stay tight. The cotter pin keeping the nut from backing off is all that was holding it together.  Seems like this should be a self locker and not a cotter but can’t find a diagram or parts list for this to verify. 
 

I would also like to replace the rod end shown buy the red arrow.  It looks to be a normal rod end with the rod missing and a hole drilled through it.  I can’t find a decent pic of this in the maintenance manual.  Can anyone identify that part?  Should I just get another rod end and machine a matching, but tighter hole through it?

My lord bushings were 1966 date stamped.  So these were OG bushings.  I’m planning to ship that truss assem to Lasar to fix the dinged trusses and overhaul it as well as add the turn stops, replace worn pivot bushings, and swap out the lord bushings.  Any thoughts or advice on this?  They are out of stock on exchange units and have to overhaul mine.  What’s a reasonable price for that work?  I’m not clear yet on the cost of this and if it’s within norms.  Already burning a ton of cash on the engine rebuild. 

[cliffy]

Nothing wrong with a cotter pin on the "blue" bolt. 

LASAR can probably get you the correct rod end for the red arrow. They got me one years ago. 

You may want to take that entire linkage apart and find the worn bushings and bolts also. I'll bet $10 there are worn parts there

LARAR sells an entire steering linkage already rebuilt.  Many do it that way  to avoid the "8 Second Wild Ride" after landing.

In for a dime- In for a dollar!  Welcome to owning an airplane that is a half century old

[CharlesHuddleston]

I had a somewhat similar situation with the steering horn pivot point (blue arrow) on my '82K. Only on the newer frames, the design was a little different. Instead of a bolt through a bushing, it was a welded pin which broke off the frame. Regardless, LASAR sells a beefed-up kit and steering horn. I'm sure they can address that if you are already planning on sending in your nose gear truss. look under the MODS section on their website. It is currently listed as "unavailable", however, they had the part I was needing on the shelf, just didn't send the entire kit. They priced it accordingly and included the STC paperwork. 

[Guest]

This might help.