Undercarriage Installation

This blog covers various details on the assembly details of the undercarriage.

Overview
The factory now has a comprehensive manual for the installation of the undercarriage so these details will not be covered but a series of detailed photos showing the undercarriage as installed in this aircraft noting some small modifications when installed by this builder.

Installation
Covered in a series of photos and comments below.

Limit switch trip and fixing - these also locate the undercarriage - tapped hole in 
mount is for a M5 grease nipple yet to be fitted. When greased - all these points 
took 2 pulls from a hand grease pump
Details covered in earlier blog - click here for more detail

Tapping M4 hole to attach clamps for wire looms from each limit switch
This Bosch drill is a life saver - head can be removed and relocated in 45 degree
increments, also comes with a straight offset gearbox with same features.
A must have.

Chasing holes to mount limit switch trigger -required at each M4 hole due to builders choice to paint, all were tapped at the factory

Factory bolt A was replaced with a M10 titanium bolt [B] to provide a plain shank in the loaded area of the rod end eye.  

This is the only bolt that could be sound offering a plan shank with a the M10 ISO fine thread.  Titanium should only be used to replace bolts with a 8.8 rating. 

Titanium is prefered by serious racer today because of its high strength but where as steel bold bends when fully loaded this will material snaps.

But as stated previously in this blog  threaded bolts are are only suitable clamped connections.

Waterproof plug for limit switches - P clamps and elbow are part of the brake circuits - manufactured using 3/16' high pressure nylon hose

Bolt replaced with suitable length to maximise to the shank in holes - M6 spring washers were fitted to fix the bolt shank relative to the outer ling with all rotation occurring at the inner - now considering upgrading to Nord Lock washers for this tasks

Gear installed in port wheel well  
A - loom clamps installed into tapped holes
B - Bolt with modified head and grease nipple - metal tab is to prevent rotation as the head was machined to 6 mm o/a to create clearance required to scissor link
C - Aluminium P clamps to retain brake lines - covered on inside face with Mylar tape
to protect the nylon line while improve clamping force

Aluminium P Clamp securing brake line - fixed using a M4 blind tapped hole
Both internal faces of clamp were covered with mylar tape at installation

Limit switch mounting bracket has fitted with M3 rivet nuts
to allow removal of the switch from the bracket in service

Comment

The undercarriage for all its apparent complexity is well engineered and fits together easily once all the detail issues like wiring/plugs/hoses/etc are selected, positioned at installation. 

Most of the work is in the details not the undercarriage - not to be feared.

What more is there to say..!!