Taper pin for nose gear leg.

[GEM930]

I'm replacing my 320 with a 360 and my old engine mount went with the 320. We swapped mounts and now I'm wondering about the best way to install my old gear leg in a new mount. The hole in the leg is 3/8" and was fitted with a close tolerance bolt. The hole in the new mount is considerably smaller. Is 3/8 to large of a hole to ream for the correct taper pin? Is a taper pin really that much better than a correctly installed close tolerance bolt? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Rupester]

From what I've read, reaming the gear leg with the required tapered reamer is a nasty process. That gear leg is a very hard alloy; machining it in any way is not child's play. I originally planned on using the tapered pin, but when I saw how difficult the process was, I went with Vans' bolt. FWIW.

[GAHco]

Not Tapered .016 oversize

1st Oversize Bolt

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com...=NAS6605%2D24X

Reamer

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com...PRTL%2D%2E3265

Oversize Washers.

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com...14226%2D64C516

We sell these regularly.

You can use whatever nut you so choose, I would recommend an all metal locknut

Use lots of Boelube.

[GEM930]

Originally Posted by GAHco

Not Tapered .016 oversize

1st Oversize Bolt

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com...=NAS6605%2D24X

Reamer

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com...PRTL%2D%2E3265

Oversize Washers.

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com...14226%2D64C516

We sell these regularly.

You can use whatever nut you so choose, I would recommend an all metal locknut

The hole in the leg is already drilled for a 3/8 bolt (close tolerance). The mount is new and has smaller holes (5/16 maybe??). An oversized 3/8 bolt or a taper pin seems to be my options. Just wondering if there is any reason a taper pin is considered better...Or if it would even work as the smallest diameter of the taper would have to be better then 3/8". Not sure how much taper they have, but I'm concerned the large diameter of the taper would not leave enough material (particularly in the top hole in the mount). I would much rather ream the over sized 3/8 than the taper, but if people have opted for the pin is there a reason, or is it just over kill?? Since the thing is off I want to do it once and not have to worry about it again.

[bkthomps]

my reamer went right through my gear leg like butter

the key is speed, and lubrication, you drill the hole undersized, then ream to final size, that might help some as well

[GEM930]

Originally Posted by bkthomps

my reamer went right through my gear leg like butter

the key is speed, and lubrication, you drill the hole undersized, then ream to final size, that might help some as well

Did you go with the close tolerance bolt or taper pin?

[GAHco]

Originally Posted by GEM930

The hole in the leg is already drilled for a 3/8 bolt (close tolerance). The mount is new and has smaller holes (5/16 maybe??). An oversized 3/8 bolt or a taper pin seems to be my options. Just wondering if there is any reason a taper pin is considered better...Or if it would even work as the smallest diameter of the taper would have to be better then 3/8". Not sure how much taper they have, but I'm concerned the large diameter of the taper would not leave enough material (particularly in the top hole in the mount). I would much rather ream the over sized 3/8 than the taper, but if people have opted for the pin is there a reason, or is it just over kill?? Since the thing is off I want to do it once and not have to worry about it again.

We may have an oversize 3/8 bolt that will fit.

From what I have heard Van's approves the 3/8, I would think that .016 more would not be a problem, but I am not the authority, but Van's is.

Let me know if you need me to scare something up for your fix.