nosewheel steering question

[bavareze]

Hi.  I did some play tests and it looks like most of the play in my nose wheel comes from this bolt being loose.

But it loos like that horizontal rod is flush with the aluminum sheet metal above it.

What is the procedure for tightening that bolt?

 

Thanks

[ShuRugal]

Above the sheet metal, there's another frame member identical to the one you can see in the picture. Top of the bolt is on top of that tube. Tightening the bitch is a two man job - one inside to hold a wrench on it, one outside to turn it.

[Ragsf15e]

I’m no mechanic, but that bolt has a castle nut and cotter pin, no?  If it’s loose doesn’t that indicate the rod end is wearing out?

[cctsurf]

26 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

 If it’s loose doesn’t that indicate the rod end is wearing out?

Talk to Lasar...

[bavareze]

On 7/15/2020 at 6:47 PM, ShuRugal said:

Above the sheet metal, there's another frame member identical to the one you can see in the picture. Top of the bolt is on top of that tube. Tightening the bitch is a two man job - one inside to hold a wrench on it, one outside to turn it.

Aha!  Very interesting.  And I can get to it from inside the plane (after I remove the upholstery behind the pedals) or from the engine side by removing this plate that sits behind the air intake?

 

Thanks!

[ShuRugal]

Inside the cockpit, at the corner of the firewall and nose wheel well. Colossal pain the ass.

[Prior owner]

On 7/15/2020 at 7:58 PM, Ragsf15e said:

I’m no mechanic, but that bolt has a castle nut and cotter pin, no?  If it’s loose doesn’t that indicate the rod end is wearing out?

Most likely the rod end is worn out...