Pinecone Posted June 16 Report Posted June 16 On 6/12/2025 at 6:30 PM, Vance Harral said: Oh c'mon, this is just stupid. The fact I only pointed out 3 examples doesn't mean there have only been 3 failures ever. Look at the picture yourself, from that thread. More than half of the threaded portion of the attach point for the plastic wheel-shaped knob is broken off. This is not just a failure of the plastic. If you want to quibble that a different part of the metal shaft broke vs. the OP in this thread, then sure, it's a different failure mode. Whatever. Same as the OP in this thread, the shaft broke close to the base such that it could have only been actuated with tools. No, I wasn't the guy with my hand on the switch, but I believe my airplane partner when he said he applied only a moderate amount of force. Some of you guys seem to think these switches can only break when a neandrathal lunk applies hundreds of pounds of force to the switch without pulling it out of the unlock position. I'm not buying it. If that's what's really happening, why do the little locking tabs that prevent the shaft from moving - which are smaller than the shaft itself - show no damage in the photos above? I'm sure that's true when they're brand new. As I've already explained, I think decades of normal use - with a few incorrect operations exactly as you describe from time to time - can fatigue the metal. As I recall, you're the same guy who keeps arguing that properly lubricated landing actuator gears will also never wear out. You have a lot more faith in the lifetime of this stuff than I do, but you do you. Good point. Why do some airplanes have big, robust gear switches, if there's nothing wrong with the design of the tiny little ones? Now we have 4 stories. But I guess everyone who broke the gear switch - the OP's mechanic and my airplane partner and JTR's wife included - are all ham-fisted idiots who deserve what they get. Roger that. So how many have occurred? No one else has stepped up to say, HEY this happened to me too. The switch in the picture is still usable to put the gear down. And, so you point out, these switches are old, probably all are original. So, do you design for wear and tear over 50 years on all equipment?
Vance Harral Posted June 26 Report Posted June 26 On 6/16/2025 at 10:03 AM, Pinecone said: No one else has stepped up to say, HEY this happened to me too. Not that one more data point is going to change anyone's mind, but here's another apparent ham-fisted idiot. Posted just now in the Vintage Mooney facebook group.
Pinecone Posted June 26 Report Posted June 26 1 minute ago, Vance Harral said: Not that one more data point is going to change anyone's mind, but here's another apparent ham-fisted idiot. Posted just now in the Vintage Mooney facebook group. Not clear which part sheared off. I have heard of a few where the plastic gear-shaped knob broke. 1
Aaviationist Posted June 26 Report Posted June 26 While we’re here and this is solved, does anyone want to take bets on the ACTUAL airworthiness of Mike’s 50 year old gears/actuator?
toto Posted July 15 Author Report Posted July 15 Postscript: Shiny new gear switch (looks a lot like the old one ) 4
201Mooniac Posted July 26 Report Posted July 26 Is that a new switch or also a new wheel handle? I’m looking for where to get the wheel handle as mine shows some small cracks and if new ones are available I’d consider replacing it.
toto Posted July 26 Author Report Posted July 26 23 minutes ago, 201Mooniac said: Is that a new switch or also a new wheel handle? I’m looking for where to get the wheel handle as mine shows some small cracks and if new ones are available I’d consider replacing it. It’s both. I have the old one somewhere.. I’ll try to snap a photo.
toto Posted July 26 Author Report Posted July 26 Here’s the part that was replaced. Both the handle and the switch. I believe the replacement came as a unit.
toto Posted July 26 Author Report Posted July 26 1 minute ago, skykrawler said: Hmm, work like fuel switches on Boeing 787s. Yeah I think it’s the same idea. Pull out, then up/down.
Hank Posted July 26 Report Posted July 26 10 minutes ago, toto said: Here’s the part that was replaced. Both the handle and the switch. I believe the replacement came as a unit. 4 minutes ago, skykrawler said: Hmm, work like fuel switches on Boeing 787s. 1 minute ago, toto said: Yeah I think it’s the same idea. Pull out, then up/down. I guess that's why the factory put an extra guard on my gear switch . . . Push it to the right, then pull switch out and move it. No accidental gear movement in my C!
Justin Schmidt Posted Saturday at 01:33 AM Report Posted Saturday at 01:33 AM On 6/16/2025 at 12:03 PM, Pinecone said: So how many have occurred? No one else has stepped up to say, HEY this happened to me too. The switch in the picture is still usable to put the gear down. And, so you point out, these switches are old, probably all are original. So, do you design for wear and tear over 50 years on all equipment? It happened to me. The shaft was completely corroded. But as you said these are old parts past what there intended life is.
Pinecone Posted yesterday at 02:45 PM Report Posted yesterday at 02:45 PM I suspect that there is a 3D print file for the wheel part.
201Mooniac Posted yesterday at 04:25 PM Report Posted yesterday at 04:25 PM 1 hour ago, Pinecone said: I suspect that there is a 3D print file for the wheel part. If anyone has one, please let me know, I'm interested in a new wheel handle as mine is showing some cracks. I carry an easily accessible multitool so I'm sure it won't be an emergency but it would be nice to get a replacement before this 45 year old one falls apart.
Pinecone Posted yesterday at 04:29 PM Report Posted yesterday at 04:29 PM If the plastic wheels breaks, the switch handle is still big enough to manipulate. Some people have had the switch itself break If someone has a handle in excellent shape that they can spare for a while, I may be able to have it modeled.
Hank Posted 22 hours ago Report Posted 22 hours ago 3 hours ago, 201Mooniac said: If anyone has one, please let me know, I'm interested in a new wheel handle as mine is showing some cracks. I carry an easily accessible multitool so I'm sure it won't be an emergency but it would be nice to get a replacement before this 45 year old one falls apart. Carve a new one from a piece of hardwood, and drill it to fit the switch. There's nothing fancy about making a round thingy to move the switch. If it has to be white, use holly. Worst comes to worst, I'll carve one from some hollyni have, and you tell me the OD of the switch to drill the hole. Hey, wait--that counts as Owner Produced, since you're either specifying the hole or finishing it yourself . . . 1
201Mooniac Posted 16 hours ago Report Posted 16 hours ago 6 hours ago, Hank said: Carve a new one from a piece of hardwood, and drill it to fit the switch. There's nothing fancy about making a round thingy to move the switch. If it has to be white, use holly. Worst comes to worst, I'll carve one from some hollyni have, and you tell me the OD of the switch to drill the hole. Hey, wait--that counts as Owner Produced, since you're either specifying the hole or finishing it yourself . . . That's a really good idea, I'll check with my IA to make sure he won't have an issue at annual and they I can start carving away. Thanks!
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