1963 M20D/C Nose Gear Truss Dents

[BrettC113]

Hi, I currently am in the process of purchasing my first Mooney, an M20D which has been converted to a C. The prebuy has just been finished today, everything checked out reasonably well, no major standouts. I haven't gotten the official squawk sheet yet, but I did notice myself today at the shop that the upper nose gear truss has the dreaded dents, they're fairly prominent certainly past the 1/32" spec I've read here in other threads. I've researched it as much as I really can, but I am wondering if anyone can give me the specific AD number/name that describes this so I can get the wording verbatim. I tried searching, but I just cant seem to find it. 

 

 

[N204TA]

There is no AD, it’s covered in service instruction SIM20-137.

https://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/SIM20-137.pdf

[BrettC113]

3 minutes ago, N204TA said:

There is no AD, it’s covered in service instruction SIM20-137.

https://www.mooney.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/SIM20-137.pdf

Ok, that would make sense on why my searches led nowhere, thanks!

[PT20J]

FWIW, everybody seems to refer to the nose gear as a "truss". Actually, the nose gear comprises three parts: the upper part is the truss, the middle part is the leg, and the lower part is the spindle. It is usually the leg that gets the dents, However, if the damage is severe enough it can damage both the leg and the truss. Check the damaged parts against the IPC to determine which parts need to be replaced or repaired. If the damage is over 1/32", I would not purchase the airplane until after it was repaired. If you buy it and move it and it collapses you will be the proud owner of an expensive repair.

[Fritz1]

This repair is pretty standard, any MSC will be able to get the part rather quickly

[Matthew P]

Don Maxwell, is one of the quickest and cheapest for getting it done, reach out ot him, he quoted me a 1 week turn around from when they receive it, 1/2 the price of buying one from LASAR

 

[cliffy]

When the plane is up on jacks be sure to check the spindle bolt bushing for excess wear by trying to move the nose wheel fore and aft

Excess wear is repairable

Also the bolt nut torque is covered by a service instruction for checking its torque every annual. Be advised to find the correct 

torque figure as it was changed in later years to a lower figure. It also takes a lot of grease every year in the zirc fitting. 

[Shadrach]

Are you saying that this was not identified by the technician performing the prebuy? The dents are common and easily rectified issue. However, if they were missed during prebuy, I’d have concerns about what else might have been overlooked.

[BrettC113]

3 hours ago, Shadrach said:

Are you saying that this was not identified by the technician performing the prebuy? The dents are common and easily rectified issue. However, if they were missed during prebuy, I’d have concerns about what else might have been overlooked.

I see your concern, I should clarify. When I was present for the prebuy in the shop, it was the first thing I checked (right as it rolled into the shop) since it was mentioned to me from a previous owner that it might have been dented post his ownership. Ultimately I just beat the tech to it as I had a personal checklist while they were doing other things. 

[Buckeyechuck]

Had mine repaired at Lasar. Very pleased with the results. Note the adjustable tabs to keep the damage from happening again. I also installed the placard showing turn limits. Only problem is you cannot see it when pushing the airplane back in the hangar. 

[N201MKTurbo]

The adjustable tabs will make it harder to damage. I have seen one with the tabs completely smashed and it was still dented.

[Buckeyechuck]

 

23 minutes ago, N201MKTurbo said:

The adjustable tabs will make it harder to damage. I have seen one with the tabs completely smashed and it was still dented.

Worked in heavy industry (Engineering) for 50 years. When you make a statement that suggests something is idiot resistant, along comes a bigger idiot. 

[Hank]

18 minutes ago, Buckeyechuck said:

Worked in heavy industry (Engineering) for 50 years. When you make a statement that suggests something is idiot resistant, along comes a bigger idiot. 

"Nothing is foolproof to a sufficiently talented fool."

[PT20J]

On 11/9/2024 at 4:55 PM, Buckeyechuck said:

Had mine repaired at Lasar. Very pleased with the results.

Would you mind sharing what LASAR charges for a repair? 

[Buckeyechuck]

On 11/11/2024 at 6:09 PM, PT20J said:

Would you mind sharing what LASAR charges for a repair? 

My logs are at the airport for annual. Let me look it up next time out there. 

[PT20J]

I was talking to Don Maxwell a week or so ago and mentioned the nose gear repair and he told me they bought a heat treatment oven and can repair a nose gear for $1200.

[EricJ]

49 minutes ago, PT20J said:

I was talking to Don Maxwell a week or so ago and mentioned the nose gear repair and he told me they bought a heat treatment oven and can repair a nose gear for $1200.

We would be lost without those guys. 

[Marc_B]

On 11/9/2024 at 6:04 PM, N201MKTurbo said:

The adjustable tabs will make it harder to damage.

I think that the issue is using a 20' tow bar when a FBO is towing with a truck = an amazing lever arm and the force can easily break the tabs off and dent the legs. 

But for hand towing it puts the force of oversteering on a thicker piece of metal than the leg tube which is probably preferrable.

[N201MKTurbo]

1 hour ago, Marc_B said:

I think that the issue is using a 20' tow bar when a FBO is towing with a truck = an amazing lever arm and the force can easily break the tabs off and dent the legs. 

But for hand towing it puts the force of oversteering on a thicker piece of metal than the leg tube which is probably preferrable.

Oh, it will do more then dent the legs. It will tear the legs clean off.

[cliffy]

We're not alone  I know of a Comanche that got twisted 90 degrees and popped the cylinder by using a tug and long bar.

Stupidity had no limits. 

At least on the Boeings we could pull the link pins!  :-)

[PT20J]

DC-3 has a shear pin on the tailwheel. Boss tried to turn too tight with the tug and we got to replace the pin.

[MooneyMitch]

I must say,  Brett got a gorgeous Mooney 

That’s me in the photo prior to me letting go of the M20D/C to a new owner  before Brett purchased . 
 

Have a great time with your beauty Brett!

[EricJ]

3 hours ago, MooneyMitch said:

I must say,  Brett got a gorgeous Mooney 

That’s me in the photo prior to me letting go of the M20D/C to a new owner  before Brett purchased . 

Are you moving on to something else?   

[MooneyMitch]

3 hours ago, EricJ said:

Are you moving on to something else?   

Yes, I've moved on to old age .  50 years of flying with incredible memories, but time to stop.  76 now.  Gave up motorcycles too...........more great 2- wheeled traveling memories for over 50 years.  

Attached are my Mooney's from the F, to the Ovation, and the final chapter, the little D/C model. I've kept all my years of logbooks and enjoy from time to time looking through and reminiscing.  I always made notes about each flight.   Fun!!

[EricJ]

56 minutes ago, MooneyMitch said:

Yes, I've moved on to old age .  50 years of flying with incredible memories, but time to stop.  76 now.  Gave up motorcycles too...........more great 2- wheeled traveling memories for over 50 years.  

Attached are my Mooney's from the F, to the Ovation, and the final chapter, the little D/C model. I've kept all my years of logbooks and enjoy from time to time looking through and reminiscing.  I always made notes about each flight.   Fun!!

Nice!   I hope you continue to hang around here and share some wisdom.

And I hope we all have enough of that wisdom to know when to stop, too.