Nose Gear Door Linkage Replacement

[N201MKTurbo]

2 hours ago, PT20J said:

All the rod ends (aka Heim bearings) should be lubricated with a shot of Tri-Flow every so often.

At least every decade. Sadly that’s not always the case.

It seems like every Mooney I lube for the first time, I find a rod end or bearing that hasn’t been lubed since it left the factory.
 

[1967 427]

Since I was at the airport today I snapped a couple of photos of mine, specifically of the spacers that I mentioned in a previous post on this string.  The blue is heat shrink tubing, which makes them easier to install and less likely for me to lose.

[EricJ]

Looks nice!   FWIW, the spacers are typically just pieces of brass or steel tube stock cut to length.   Many J models have the same for hinge bushings in the cowl flaps.   I just keep some small pieces of stock around and cut off pieces as needed for bushings and spacers.

[Yetti]

On 1/23/2025 at 3:53 PM, PT20J said:

All the rod ends (aka Heim bearings) should be lubricated with a shot of Tri-Flow every so often.

or if you have a leaky Lycoming, they are self lubricating.

[cliffy]

I hate to say it but there is nothing "sacred" about the -005 bushings. They are plain jane steel bushings with a 3/16th ID and length 

to match what is needed. Any AN hardware supply should have a good selection. 

[N201MKTurbo]

8 hours ago, cliffy said:

I hate to say it but there is nothing "sacred" about the -005 bushings. They are plain jane steel bushings with a 3/16th ID and length 

to match what is needed. Any AN hardware supply should have a good selection. 

I bought a box of floor sweepings from an aircraft factory once on EBay. I have enough -005 bushings to last me many lifetimes. I just cut a piece off and file it square. The ones I have are about 1.5" long. You can grind them close to the desired length by getting a 3/16 threaded rod or bolt and put a double nut or locknut on the rod and use it to support the bushing while grinding.

[cliffy]

On 1/23/2025 at 5:10 PM, N201MKTurbo said:

At least every decade. Sadly that’s not always the case.

It seems like every Mooney I lube for the first time, I find a rod end or bearing that hasn’t been lubed since it left the factory.
 

100% right on.

I find the same issue when I look over most Mooneys out on the line. Its not too hard to find external ball joints that do not slightly rotate because they sit in the weather and dry out and begin to corrode. Mooney flight control push/pull rods have broken right at the flying surface because no one ever lubes them' I always tell folks that every 3 or 4 months go squirt every rod end you can see with a little TriFlow and avoid problems in the future. They only wear out due to lack of lube.