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  #11  
Old 05-27-2011, 08:53 AM
pierre smith's Avatar
pierre smith pierre smith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Louisville, Ga
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Default It takes a while.

It doesn't take long to realize that you just have to 'stab' at the brakes and it becomes second nature shortly.

Best,
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  #12  
Old 05-27-2011, 09:19 AM
jte65 jte65 is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Avon, Indiana
Posts: 341
Default Agree with John

I too originally had mine set exactly to spec. It was difficult to steer, did not want to taxi straight, and my EAA tech counselor who runs an RV Builder's Assistance center and has built and flown multiple RV's concurred that it was much too stiff. I also found tremendous variability in the breakaway force between tries- might be 23 pounds on one try and then 28 on another, particularly if it had been sitting for a bit. So like John and a few others, I just loosened it a bit. It is far from being "loose" and still sits around 20 pounds (as I recall). However, steering is much improved and I have never had a problem with nosewheel shimmy. Not sure that the scales typically used to measure these are all that accurate either. Hence, I think a bit of fine tuning is not unreasonable.

Jeff
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  #13  
Old 05-27-2011, 09:40 AM
ArlingtonRV ArlingtonRV is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Marysville, WA
Posts: 521
Default Control Group

Just as an input from a neutral party, I have mine set per Van's instructions. I do not find it hard to steer. With that said, it is very different to steer than an airplane with a sterrable nose wheel or tail wheel, particularly in a cross wind. I typically try to touch down as clost to the turn off nearest my hangar as I can to reduce taxi time.

I have no difficulty taxiing in tight quarters, but since where I am based there is always a crosswind it is difficult to keep straight without riding a brake. I swerve down the taxi way a little, but I tell people I'm doing S-turns for visibility.
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  #14  
Old 05-10-2012, 10:34 AM
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gblwy gblwy is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Perth, Scotland
Posts: 494
Default This is too stiff!

It's annual inspection time, and I had made a note to myself to slacken the nosewheel steering, as mine was rather difficult. Indeed on grass I could not turn right, the brake locked and the wheel would just skid.

Well, before adjusting it I re-measured the side force required. Yup around 26. 26 kilos that is!!!

I'm really looking forward to trying with just 26 pounds;-)

You live and learn...Keith
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  #15  
Old 10-09-2012, 08:50 PM
Mike Buettgenbach Mike Buettgenbach is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 42
Default Nose gear adjustment after insp

Just finished my 2nd annual inspection. I removed the nose gear assy, inspected all the bits and pieces, re-assembled per the book.
Now....as I tighten the nut....heading for my 26lb number, the force for sideways movement of the nosewheel increases slightly (as you'd expect) then the nut bottoms out and the forcegoes way up.....like 40-50 lbs, way more than the 26lb.

Has anybody experienced this, and what is the cause?
Is seems kinda bizzare, but I'lll ask it; do the "bellville" washers lose their "spring" and thus render the intent of the design ineffective?

Total time = 200 hrs, no problems with this up to now.

Thx much
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  #16  
Old 10-10-2012, 10:46 AM
gasman gasman is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 3,821
Default

Do you have the bellville washers face to face ()? Are they dry or greased?
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  #17  
Old 10-10-2012, 07:16 PM
Mike Buettgenbach Mike Buettgenbach is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 42
Default parts installation

Yes, the washers are installed as () and the installation is "dry", except for the mating of the bushing against the spindle, which is greased.
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  #18  
Old 10-10-2012, 07:59 PM
RFSchaller RFSchaller is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 2,820
Default

Mine is set per plans. I've never had a shimmy and steering is a little stiff but acceptable.
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  #19  
Old 10-11-2012, 04:58 AM
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woodmanrog woodmanrog is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 774
Default

As Pierre said, if you set the tension too loose on the nosegear, when it does start a shimmy on landing you will get a real attitude adjustment about proper torque. I had this happen and when it shimmied on landing I thought I had a flat tire. It was violent. I retorqued the setting to a little over 26 lbs and have no problems steering or with shimmy. Personally I would rather have it too tight than too loose. (RV6A)
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  #20  
Old 10-11-2012, 08:39 AM
RV12Roger RV12Roger is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Aguanga, Ca
Posts: 55
Default Grease and balance

Those with shimmy - did you balance / not balance your nose wheel? For smooth breakaway re the Bellville washers () seems that you should grease the washers and set to factory specs. Setting up mine now - your experience?
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