LANDING GEAR PAGE TWO

WD-40 AND THE STICKY MICRO SWITCHES...  (7199)
Subject: Re: Gear Problems
To: Fred Lipscomb <tfredlip@compuserve.com>
Monty:
I was just reading Bob Runge's problem with his gear. During all of my trials & tribulations with my gear for the last six weeks, something I never told you. On jacks, during the cycling of my gear, it became apparent that the micro switch was not telling the hyd pump that the gear was up. Next time it was down, I WD-40 ed it, and worked it several times. But more important, I took a flashlight and mirror and looked behind the switch and found that the two wires were touching each other. In essence I had no micro switch. One other thing, luckily when I was working the switch, I noticed that the switch extended further out. This kept me from having to adjust the Micro-Switch. Isn't WD-40 great? Thanks: T. Fred

Fred:
Lemme see if I got this straight.... The micro switch was sticking and WD-40 fixed the problem... right? So the reason your c/b was popping was the micro switch wasn't cutting off the electicity to the motor and after the gear was up mechanically the c/b became overloaded and popped... right? I guess I need to advise the Swifters to lube their microswitches with WD-40, something I've been doing at each annual. -- Jim

"BUSH" PILOT... (7199)
Subject: Re: Bushing/Bolt Kit
From: Bob Runge <ejectr@javanet.com>
Wondering if you could help me out. Some time ago, I ordered a bushing/bolt kit from Swift Parts. Can't remember if I told them I needed and Adel kit. Don't remember if they asked. At any rate, looking at the parts book, I see my Adel strut pictured and it says it uses 3 bushings. In my kit I have 8 different sizes.

Bob,
The bolt and bushing kit is mostly for the linkage, which is the same. If you get into it, you will quickly figure out what goes where. The only difference in the S-144 and S-146 kits is the trunnion bushings, which I'm not even sure are included. The ELI trunnion bushing is F 1406-1.  The Adel trunnion bushing is 16117 I think the bushings in the scissors are the same, at least the scissors are interchangable, although it is illegal to use an Adel (aluminum) scissors on an ELI. (AD 56-16-04) -- Jim

(Editor's note: I think every Swift owner should have Joe send them a landing gear bushing kit. Also known as the "Bag 'O Bushings". For me, clueless mechanical type that I am, the bag of bushings that arrived really had no meaning whatsoever. I just put them away in the Swift parts box. Then came annual time. As my highly trained professional Swift mechanic found the one or two bushings that needed replacement, out came the bag, and there they were. Neat... But with two Swifts we go through the bag a little more quickly. Maybe I should have Erin order her own bag. Hmmmm....)

WASHERS... (7499)
The Swift Service Bulletin of 23 October 1946 (No. 10) says to use AN940-616 as the proper washers to be used at the attachment knuckle of the landing gear retracting link and landing gear strut. As those still the recommended washers? Steve Roth & N2397B <stevenroth@aol.com>

Steve:
Yes, the idea is to have a "wide area" (a "wood washer") to prevent parts from separating. -- Jim

LANDING GEAR TORQUE-KNEE FAILURE...  (8199)
From: "George N2451B" <gi@globe-swift.net>
To: "Monty747@aol. com" <Monty747@aol.com>
Subject: ELI landing gear incident
Hi Monty,
Unfortunately we had an incident with the other Swift (D-EJYB) last Sunday. On the takeoff-run the right gear torque-knee broke, causing severe vibration. We tried to stop the Swift straight ahead which was impossible. First thought was a blown tire. When we got out and examined what happened, the wheel had rotated 180 degrees and must have fluttered severely. Fortunately there was no other significant damage to the Swift. Do you know of other Swifts that had such a problem? I also noticed, that both torque-knee assemblies had a lot of play. I also think that this particular torque-knee belongs to an Adel-Gear. I have not disassembled it yet to look whether it is aluminum or steel... Regards, George N2451B

George:
This is another thing which is not new. We have identified many problems or potential problems in the Swift Association publications. This situation actually predates the Association. AD note 56-16-04 details it. I presume it was an ELI landing gear with an Adel (aluminum) torque link. The aluminum torque link is illegal on the ELI gear. Read AD 56-16-04. The steel ELI torque link has never been known to break in normal service. I have seen them twisted severely after a crash and they are malleable enough they don't break. -- Jim

REPLACEMENT WASHERS...  (8199)
Does anybody know of a source for AN940-616 washers for use on the landing gear retraction link attachment to the gear struts? I can find AN960 (standard) and AN970 (large area for wood) but can find no AN940 washers. Steve Roth <stevenroth@aol.com> N2397B

Steve:
I was waiting to be sure before I answered but... I think what you need to do is use an AN970 of the appropriate OD and ream the center hole out to 3/8" (I think!) -- Jim

STEVE AND MONTY DISCUSS MAIN LANDING GEAR TRUNION BOLTS, LOCKTITE, AND HARLEYS...  (8599)
From: Steve Wilson <SteveWlson@aol.com>
Subject: MLG Trunion Bolts
Was talking with Joe Ranson today. He brought up an interesting issue. Not one I had thought about or encountered before. He said that recently he had been running into Swifts and owners who had installed the MLG, only to find after a few hours of operation the trunnion bolts were no longer tight. He went on to say that once they were re-torqued, they stayed tight.Well, I just couldn't wait to check mine! Right after work I went out and started with the right MLG. I found that both forward and aft bolts were tight. Then I moved to the left MLG and found the forward bolts were tight, but all four of the aft bolts were well below the correct torque. Joe had mentioned that some folks were finding that they could take up as much as 2 turns on the bolts. Well, the four of mine took about 3/4 turn to get them tight.  I thank Joe for the advice and think maybe this should be one of those items to go in the new maintenance manual. I don't think I will forget to check them periodically after installation until torque has settled in. -- Steve W.

Steve,
Another item I do without thinking of telling everyone. I check these at every annual and never gave it much thought. I suppose the nut plates have lost much of their "self locking" after 50 years. I suppose drilled head bolts and safety wire could be installed if they persist in coming loose or "Locktite" could be put on the threads. -- Jim

Jim,
Yep, I'm a big believer in "Locktite," but never tried using it with fiber nut(plates); although I don't think it should be a problem. According to Joe, once the bolts are re-torqued there seems little chance of their become loose again. I dunno, but the ones on mine have about 125 hrs. on them since I last checked (installed) them, and only one set of four was not tight. I will make it a point to check them occasionally, but wonder how many people have actually known about this apparent potential problem. -- Steve

Steve,
The Harley guys assemble a motorcycle using Locktite on EVERYTHING. Every nut and bolt. Subsequent disassembly and reassembly does not seem to be a problem. -- Jim

Jim,
I dunno if that is an endorsement or not considering the puddles of oil H/Ds leave behind. I always figured they were there so a drunken rider could follow the oil trail to find his bike, or so that when the oil quit leaking out, the rider would know to add some (or was that British bikes)?... Thanks! -- Steve

Landing Gear Page Three