M20J Landing Gear retraction

[javidan]

On Takeoff when retracting the landing gear,  I noticed a momentary effect on the Ruder paddles. I feel like someone kicks the left ruder and then “correct” with the right one. I wonder if someone had the same experience or an explanation. 

[JoeSpeed]

The kick is caused by the nose gear straightening upon retraction

[javidan]

The kick is caused by the nose gear straightening upon retraction

 

I’m not familiar with the M20J nose gear strut design, but on Cessna retractable (177RG, 210, 182RG) for instance, the arrangement is that when the nose wheel is off the ground the strut mechanism  straight the nose wheel, disconnect the steering, and activate the squat switch to allow safe retraction. So (in 3500 Hrs of flight, CFI) I never experienced any effect on the rudder peddles.

 

You are not suggesting that this is a normal behavior of Mooney?

 

I think its (at least) a rigging issue, readers?

 

Thanks,

 

Josh  

[Hank]

I'm not sure I've ever noticed a twitch in the rudder upon retraction, as I'm rather busy then confirming rate of climb, airspeed and watching the trees come at me. I do like feeling the nice "thud" as the wheels come up, though, it's positive reinforcement that they're up.

 

As far as disengaging the steering, since our gear goes up and down together with steel rods driving everything, I don't think the steering can disengage prior to retraction. A kick to the left and release would make sense, because we're holding right rudder on takeoff so straightening it would require left then a release back to whatever you're holding to the right.

 

Squat-switch-equipped Mooneys have the switch atop one of the main gear legs, don't they?

[N201MKTurbo]

You may find that the steering horn is not assembled correctly. If the collor with the notch is installed backwards it will hit during retraction. Also there is a bolt with a low profile head, if it was replaced with a standard bolt it will hit also. If you inspect the steering horn you will probably see rub marks.

[jetdriven]

Notch goes up right?

[N201MKTurbo]

Oh, I don't remember, I'de have to go out and look at the plane or the manual.

 

One other thing, if you put the bolt on backwards with the nut and the low profile bolt reversed it will jam on the nut.

 

Don't ask me how i know all this.......

[jetdriven]

IIRC the notch on the steering horn collar goes UP and the low profile screw head that secures it goes AFT (nut is forward).  At annual time, (this week for us) I swing the gear 20-30 times and watch everything for problems from below.