Tip: RV-8 Self-Locking Gear Nuts

Harley O. (Pete) Britton · #1 09-21-2012, 06:35 PM

The longer I worked inside the RV-8 gear towers with vent lines, brake lines, all the weldment screws and wiring, the more I thought about laying on the cockpit floor trying to get a socket on those nuts when it came time to mount the gear and do annual condition inspections/maintenance. I have heard a lot of builders comment on the unpleasant task of working in those gear towers. Anyway, I think I have come up with a simple mod to make gear bolt/nut torquing much easier.

I purchased four inexpensive 9/16" stubby wrenches from Lowes at $5 each. I cut the box end portion of the wrench off with just a bit of the handle remaining and ground it to fit down inside the gear weldment where the outboard gear nuts are located. I cut, ground, and fitted each of the four "mini-wrenches" to fit the four bolts. Using JB Weld, I then epoxied the landing gear nuts into the wrenches and let them cure. Since the four special fasteners were custom fitted I marked them so I wouldn't mix them up during installation. Since pictures are much better than words I have attached a couple photos that should be helpful.

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panhandler1956 · #2 09-21-2012, 07:49 PM

I like it! Good tip Pete!
I just got through wrestling these during my annual and even with removable webs on my towers it was still a major pain.

Thanks for sharing!

Harley O. (Pete) Britton · #3 09-21-2012, 10:11 PM

Thanks for the feedback, Brent. I modified my gear towers as well to get a little more room to work but even so, it is a real pain anytime I need to do something inside the towers. Another nice benefit of this mod is that I should be able to check and torque the gear bolts/nuts without a helper.

bird · #4 09-22-2012, 06:21 AM

I am going with some 12 point nuts that have higher tension than the nuts supplied by Vans after reading of some failures on here. If you are interested, I am currently installing a set of bolts and nuts with special washers that Tom Brink of GAHco got together for me. I have not installed them yet but should have them in a few more days and will report back the results. If interested you can contact me or Tom Brink and fill you in on the details.

bird

Gash · #5 09-22-2012, 12:27 PM

I'm interested in seeing how these work out. Keep us posted please!

rv8ch · #6 09-22-2012, 02:53 PM

Hi Harley,

This seems to be a really great idea. I used the same kinds of nuts but adding the box wrenches on is brilliant. I'm having trouble seeing any kind of a downside to this idea, except the very small amount of extra weight. I think I will be buying some wrenches.

Mickey

Harley O. (Pete) Britton · #7 09-22-2012, 07:42 PM

I opted to go with the nuts that Van supplies in the kit for securing the landing gear. I have read, however, that some builders are going to the twelve point nuts for added strength. I would assume that the same approach would work for the twelve point nuts as long as you can find an appropriate box end wrench to modify. I wouldn't be surprised if a twelve point wrench costs a bit more. Still, if it results in added strength and peace of mind it is probably worth the expense.

Once I install the gear legs I will post a report.

Michael White · #8 09-23-2012, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harley O. (Pete) Britton

I opted to go with the nuts that Van supplies in the kit for securing the landing gear. I have read, however, that some builders are going to the twelve point nuts for added strength. I would assume that the same approach would work for the twelve point nuts as long as you can find an appropriate box end wrench to modify. I wouldn't be surprised if a twelve point wrench costs a bit more. Still, if it results in added strength and peace of mind it is probably worth the expense.

Once I install the gear legs I will post a report.

Harley,
I doubt the 12-point wrenches cost more...you found them at Lowe's for $5 each...

(the wrench heads in your photos are 12-point)

GAHco · #9 09-23-2012, 02:42 PM

When user name bird lets me know how the custom selected hardware fits, then I will release the proposal to others who are interested.

Harley O. (Pete) Britton · #10 09-24-2012, 07:50 PM

Well DUH.... I never even thought about the twelve point nuts fitting the std 9/16" SAE box end. My immediate thought was the twelve point nuts would require a different and special wrench. This could be a first. A fastener that doesn't require another specialty tool.

Must have went brain dead for a few minutes.

Thanks,

Pete
RV-8 Fuselage/Finishing Kit, Archer for Flying