Mooney shock disc tool (2)

[Gubni]

I found 2 or 3 threads on this topic, but they all have dead pictures. I have an out of state IA here this week to get my plane N261TA in annual after waiting a year. We need to replace the shock discs. I am trying to get this done this week. For the front we will pull the assembly to replace the pivot bushings and I was told if it's out that a shop press will do it. For the mains I have heard I can build a tool, but I'd need pictures to know what to build. I have also read that it can be done without a tool. Either way we need a new thread on this with some pictures. Any information is appreciated.

[Shadrach]

35 minutes ago, Gubni said:

I found 2 or 3 threads on this topic, but they all have dead pictures. I have an out of state IA here this week to get my plane N261TA in annual after waiting a year. We need to replace the shock discs. I am trying to get this done this week. For the front we will pull the assembly to replace the pivot bushings and I was told if it's out that a shop press will do it. For the mains I have heard I can build a tool, but I'd need pictures to know what to build. I have also read that it can be done without a tool. Either way we need a new thread on this with some pictures. Any information is appreciated.

No tool needed for the mains. The weight of the airplane is adequate to compress the discs enough to install the collar.  The nose gear tool can be rented from LASAR for $50 ($300 deposit IIRC).  If you rent from LASAR, keep your tracking info and follow up on the rental when you send it back . My return was not processed correctly and I had to make a call to facilitate the return of my deposit. You can do all three gear in a few hours if you don't need to paint anything

[Fly Boomer]

1 hour ago, Gubni said:

Any information is appreciated.

Losing pictures was very unfortunate.  I don't know what threads you have seen, but here is one I found:

 

[Gubni]

FYI, Lasar no longer rents the tools.

[lamont337]

I rented both from Oasis Aero in Willmar, MN back in 2020. $100 each plus shipping. 
 

Where are you located?

Edited October 18, 2022 by lamont337

[carusoam]

Sometimes @Alan Fox has the tools…

-a-

[Gubni]

13 hours ago, lamont337 said:

I rented both from Oasis Aero in Willmar, MN back in 2020. $100 each plus shipping. 
 

Where are you located?

I'm in northeast TN - KTRI

 

[Gubni]

For others that might find this thread in the future I was told that Top Gun in Stockton should have them. I plan to try to do it without them.

[Gubni]

Just now, mike261 said:

Is that main or front and how would it be used?

[Gubni]

4 minutes ago, mike261 said:

ill ship them to you, pay me for shipping, and ship em back.

mike

 

That's amazing. Thank you! I just sent you a message with my address.

[Shadrach]

17 hours ago, Gubni said:

FYI, Lasar no longer rents the tools.

Wow...wonder why?  Almost pure profit for them.  By the looks of the tool I rented last year, it had likely paid for itself before Bill Clinton left office.  I've counted on LASAR over the years to be my Mooney specific resource. Sorry to see their services are contracting instead of expanding...

As I stated previously, there is no need to use a tool on the mains.  Really, it does not require any risky, cowboy maneuvers. It simply uses the weight of the plane instead of a tool compress the discs. 

To remove:

1) Jack the plane

2) Remove the square sheet metal dust covers on top of the collar (they pop off).

3) Lower the plane until the main wheel is just touching the ground.

4) Looking from the inside of the gear assembly note the position of the collar bolt and the hole in the gear assembly.  To remove the bolt it must be aligned with the hole in the gear assembly. See red arrow in illustration.

5) Adjust the gear travel (raise or lower the jack) until the the bolt and the hole are aligned.

6) Remove Collar bolt and collar.  You will need a flat head screw driver and a 1/2 wrench if I remember correctly.

7) gently jack the planes until shock link if free

8) Discs and spacers can be replaced with link still attached to the pivot.  However, it takes just a few extra minutes to remove the lower bolt from the shck link to remove the wh0le piece for cleaning and inflection.

9) Install in reverse order.

 

Folks have used all manner of DIY contraptions on the nose. The one pictured below is my favorite.  Easy and cheap to build...Strong, Simple and effective to use.

Good luck!

 

 

[Shadrach]

6 minutes ago, Gubni said:

Is that main or front and how would it be used?

I have a power point I made years ago illustrating and explaining how to check preloads.

I don't have anywhere to host it. DM me your email if you want it.

[kortopates]

38 minutes ago, mike261 said:

ill ship them to you, pay me for shipping, and ship em back.

mike

 

Those tools are for setting the gear pre-loads, (and only the larger one is used on modern Mooneys), As such these have nothing to do with changing gear disks, for which a tool is needed for the nose gear only, or take it off and use a press. 

[Shadrach]

2 minutes ago, kortopates said:

Those tools are for setting the gear pre-loads, (and only the larger one is used on modern Mooneys), As such these have nothing to do with changing gear disks, for which a tool is needed for the nose gear only, or take it off and use a press. 

Probably trivial, but I check preloads any time the gear is worked on. I thought that's what was happening here but reading it again, it looks there is some confusion as to what is used for what.

[Fly Boomer]

56 minutes ago, Gubni said:

Is that main or front and how would it be used?

Those look like the tools to check the pre-load.  You will probably need them after the new shock discs are in.  Check your S&M manual to verify if you need the nose gear tool.  At some point, the requirement for that tool went away (I think).

EDIT:  story of my life — @kortopates beat me by 5 minutes.

[kortopates]

2 minutes ago, mike261 said:

correct.

i thought thats what he was looking for.

my bad.

Not a bad, that's hugely generous of you to offer to loan them out!! Luckily those are pretty damage proof, but not so with the Mooney nose gear disk tool.

[Alan Fox]

On 10/19/2022 at 1:08 AM, carusoam said:

Sometimes @Alan Fox has the tools…

-a-

I always have the tools , but they never leave the hangar , unless I am using them…. Not in the rental business…. I also usually use a ratchet strap , to compress the discs…

 

[Butch]

Some posts say you can do this just using the A/C weight on the gear. If not, I found this old SL. Haven't tried it yet but if it works it would be an easy solution.

SL20-51.pdf

[EricJ]

1 hour ago, Butch said:

Some posts say you can do this just using the A/C weight on the gear. If not, I found this old SL. Haven't tried it yet but if it works it would be an easy solution.

SL20-51.pdf 172.76 kB · 4 downloads

Nice.   I'd heard in the past of people using a ratchet strap to do this, but had never tried it.    That said, I'm wondering if it isn't possible to damage that part of the nose gear by putting stress there.   It may have turned out to not be an optimal method since 1959, but I'm interested to see.

 

[Shadrach]

2 hours ago, EricJ said:

Nice.   I'd heard in the past of people using a ratchet strap to do this, but had never tried it.    That said, I'm wondering if it isn't possible to damage that part of the nose gear by putting stress there.   It may have turned out to not be an optimal method since 1959, but I'm interested to see.

 

IIRC, the compression tool I rented from LASAR had a hook that affixed to the same section just at the center bolt where that piece articulates.  Looking at the diagram, I think you could skip the aircraft cable and padding and instead use 1” tubular webbing (rated for 4000lbs) tied into a loop using a fisherman’s knot.

[N201MKTurbo]

I have both the shock disk tools, all  MooneySpacers are free to use them at my hangar at KCHD.

[amillet]

12 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

I have both the shock disk tools, all  MooneySpacers are free to use them at my hangar at KCKD.

Did you intentionally type KCKD instead of KCHD so no one could find you?

(joke intended)  Foreflight couldn’t find KCKD

 

[N201MKTurbo]

8 minutes ago, amillet said:

Did you intentionally type KCKD instead of KCHD so no one could find you?

(joke intended)  Foreflight couldn’t find KCKD

 

OOPs Not on purpose. The perils of a slightly dyslexic mind.

[Shadrach]

12 hours ago, N201MKTurbo said:

I have both the shock disk tools, all  MooneySpacers are free to use them at my hangar at KCKD.

Does that come with supervision and sign off? I think would be difficult to make the case to the FAA that replacing shock discs falls under 43 Appendix C.

“It’s just like servicing the strut on a Cherokee…only a little different.”

[N201MKTurbo]

6 minutes ago, Shadrach said:

Does that come with supervision and sign off? I think would be difficult to make the case to the FAA that replacing shock discs falls under 43 Appendix C.

“It’s just like servicing the strut on a Cherokee…only a little different.”

Sure, why not. You may have to pay for my time. 

I usually tell people to call Frank first. If he is booked up I will help you out. I like Frank and don't want to steal his business.

Also, I'm pretty busy with this bio tech enterprise I'm involved in, so you need to do this when I'm available. I need to change my picture, I'm not doing semiconductors any more.