Mooney-specific tools for Annual

[N9453V]

Last year I took my plane to a well-known MSC in California. My experience may have been different than others, but I was not impressed. They took about twice as long as they estimated (when less work actually ended up needing to be done), recommended unnecessary work, over-charged my battery which required replacement and there were quite a few issues with the final bill. Other than the issue with the battery, I had no concerns with the quality of the work, I just felt the value I got was not very good.

My annual is coming up again at the end of the month and I am planning to work with a very experienced mechanic on the field to do an owner assisted annual. He has done rountine maintenance on my plane and complied with several ADs and I've been happy with his work. He is very experienced with everything from 152's to King Airs, but has not worked on that many Mooneys. We both have all the manuals from Mooney, but I wanted to check what Mooney-specific tools are needed? Do I need to rent gear rigging tools and travel boards? Also, I believe my landing gear donuts are due for replacement so are any additional tools needed for that?

[danb35]

Travel boards are not needed for an annual, unless you suspect the flight controls are misrigged.  Gear preload tools are, and are the only Mooney-specific tools I can think of that would be used at annual--and yes, they can be rented; one source I know of (though have never used) is hangartoolbox.com.

There are special tools used for the shock discs, not sure if the job can be done without them or not.  Again, can be rented from the same source.

[Steve65E-NC]

I do an owner assisted annual every year.  The only special tools that I have are the main and nose pre-load fixtures with an appropriate, dial type,  torue wrench.  I think I purchased mine through a classified ad at MAPA.   If I wanted to replace donuts, Lasar has the tools for rent.  Based on what I read here, rigging is best left to a top MSC or Mooney experienced mechanic.  I assume your friend is, or has available, an IA since that is what is needed to sign off an annual. 

[PilotDerek]

N9453V,

I would like to know who you in California you saw. Just for my personal knowledge not to start anything. Since I am a new owner and located in CA I like to hear feedback on any shop I may use good and bad to help my decisions when I need to choose. PM me if you don't want to post. Thank you in advance.

[KSMooniac]

Gear pre-load tools are a must-have, and the donut tools will make life much simpler when changing the donuts.  

[danb35]

Quote: Steve65E-NC

I assume your friend is, or has available, an IA since that is what is needed to sign off an annual. 

[N9453V]

Thanks for all the info. It sounds like I just need to rent the gear pre-load and donut tools (if my mechanic doesn't have them). And yes, he is an IA.

[jetdriven]

You also need a current illustrated parts catalog

[Clarence]

Byron,

Wouldn't a current maitenance manual be far more valuable than a current IPC?

Clarence

 

[jetdriven]

Both are needed.  The IPC is good for assembly diagrams and part numbers.