Thorp Air Command - T18.net

During the conditional inspection the mechanic I am working with noticed there is space between the neoprene washers and the metal washers on the landing gear. We are assuming there should be no space. How tight should the bolts be? Anyone know where I can get new neoprene washers?

Classic Sport Aircraft, Mike Archer, (559) 539-2755 or (559) 539-5039 should have the neoprene gear washers.

You'll probably have to make them. The specs are on the drawing. McMaster-Carr has the right durometer material. Lots of guys have gone in other directions with no reported problems. I think it was the Colonel who used nylon-reinforced sheet he found locally. Sounds like the way to go. Anyway, there are several mentions about gear washers in the old newsletters, if you take the time to dig around.

If you're going to change the washers, you might as well change the bushings too.

D

PS They should be standard tourque tight. The steel parts inside the connection go metal-to-metal.

I went to a rubber supply house . They had excess rubber in a bin and "punched" out the washers for me on their press . About $1.00 each ? If I remember right . BOOM !

RB