|
-
POSTING RULES

-
Donate yearly (please).
-
Advertise in here!
-
Today's Posts
|
Insert Pics
|

10-26-2015, 08:01 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Calhoun, GA
Posts: 49
|
|
Main Gear Shimmy
So I have noticed a shimmy that has gotten a little worse. I checked the front tire and tension on the front wheel. The shimmy is from 35-40 MPH smooth slower and faster. Interestingly, I kept the nose off the ground my last two landings and noticed the shimmy did not go away. The shimmy is coming from the main gear. This is new for myplane so I started thinking about what caused it. I did my annual about three weeks ago and as part of the maintenance I rotated the main tires left to right as the outside of the tires were worn. Several people at my airport say this is a very common practice. The rotation of these tires is the only thing that has changed. Has anyone else experienced a main gear shimmy? Shimmy after rotating tires? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
|

10-26-2015, 10:47 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 821
|
|
I had similar problems resolved by balancing the tires. When you check the balance, check the tires for out of round. Some can be quite bad and could drive getting it trued up or replacement of the tire.
__________________
Dan Morris
Frederick, MD
PA28-140
Hph 304CZ
RV6 built and sold
N199EC RV6A flying
Learn the facts. "Democracy dies in darkness"
|

10-26-2015, 02:08 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Calhoun, GA
Posts: 49
|
|
I have never heard of anyone balancing tires on an RV. Is it possible to do? Where would you have it done? Seems like it would not stay balanced that long due to wear etc. Wouldn't it be easier just to replace the tires than to have them balanced?
|

10-26-2015, 02:39 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ft Laudedale FL
Posts: 180
|
|
tire balance
many of us do a simple static balance via a Harbor Freight motorcycle wheel balancer for about $20. I had to get a thinner rod to do the nose wheel, but the reg tool was fine for the mains.
__________________
Dale
ATP, dreamer and maintainer; but not a builder
RV6a N18XP 960TT (builder: Jerry Cochran)
RV6a flight experience 2100 hrs
Superior IO-360 2007
Hartzell Blended Airfoil Prop
Dual LS EI, Dual Battery
GRT HX efis & RAIM GPS, 2 axis GRT autopilot
G696, GDL39 WX, Traffic
Dynon D10
Gear Leg Stiffeners from Woodmanrog
|

10-26-2015, 04:40 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 821
|
|
When I had the vib problem, had the tires balanced. One took 8 weights. They use the stick on ones on the inside of the rim.
You can statically balance good enough. For a better balance, a dynamic balance can sometimes be worked out at speed shops.
Some can also true the tires if needed.
__________________
Dan Morris
Frederick, MD
PA28-140
Hph 304CZ
RV6 built and sold
N199EC RV6A flying
Learn the facts. "Democracy dies in darkness"
|

10-26-2015, 06:08 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Aurora, OR
Posts: 843
|
|
I've experienced out-of-balance nosewheel before. Can create some pretty intense vibrations. Most wheels are less than optimally balanced when they're new and have the tire/tube installed.
__________________
Greg Hughes - Van's Aircraft - Community, Media, Marketing
Van's web site | Instagram | Facebook
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Building RV-8A since Sept 2014 (N88VX reserved)
Dual AFS 5600, Avidyne IFD 440, Whirlwind 74RV, Superior XP IO-360
VAF build thread - Flickr photo album - Project Facebook page
Aurora, OR (EAA Chapter 105)
|

10-29-2015, 02:05 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Calhoun, GA
Posts: 49
|
|
Thanks for the advice. Priced the wheel balancer at harbor freight. It is $79. Decided to call Van's and just ask about main gear shimmy. Ken hit it right on the nose. When I rotated the tires, I inflated the tires with too much air. Tires were over pressurized. Took them down to 32 PSI. Problem solved.
|

10-29-2015, 03:03 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 55
|
|
I had quite severe shimmy on the main wheels on my RV-7A after annual.
I thought it was the through bolts in top of the legs that had came loose.
I jacked up the plane and checked for any play in the legs but there was nothing. I realized that I had filled air in the main wheels and it was at 50 psi. Lowered it to 35 psi and problem went away.
Hope this helps.
/Fredrik
__________________
RV-10 - Flying since August 2017
|

10-29-2015, 03:10 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 55
|
|
Just saw you solved the problem. Note to my self - read posts more careful
/Fredrik
__________________
RV-10 - Flying since August 2017
|

10-29-2015, 03:27 PM
|
 |
been here awhile
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 4,301
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jtppalmer050390
Thanks for the advice. Priced the wheel balancer at harbor freight. It is $79. Decided to call Van's and just ask about main gear shimmy. Ken hit it right on the nose. When I rotated the tires, I inflated the tires with too much air. Tires were over pressurized. Took them down to 32 PSI. Problem solved.
|
This is what you were looking for, $39.95:
http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcy...and-98488.html

|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:01 AM.
|