Danny King
Well Known Member
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Bob Dean found one of his gear bolts hanging down when he pulled the cover plate for gear bolt torque check.
Here are the fact given to me by Bob.
1) Time on aircraft: 617 hours.
2) The torque on these bolts are checked once a year at my annual inspection.
3) I have never notice a problem, perhaps one of the bolts needed a little tightening over the years.
4) I had marked both bolts on both sides with Torque-seal to help detect movement.
5) The first picture with the bolt protruding is just the way I found it when I removed the inspection plate.
6) Inside the gear tower, the nut was totally off of the bolt. I cannot remember if the washer was still on the bolt or not. The bolt was sticking up through the gear tower; it seems like at least 3/16 of an inch, perhaps 1/4 inch.
7) I was using the the proper low profile metal lock nut. The threads were stripped, and you could see little metal filings.
8) The washer was the one that came with the kit. I am assuming that it is an AN960-616. As you mentioned they have replaced it with a 062 25783054.
9) The washer was bent. Hopefully, you can see it from the second picture.
10) The other bolt on this gear leg was loose. It took about a full turn of the bolt to get it properly torqued.
11) I have not properly check the other gear leg yet, but I do not see any problems from the visual inspection.
I am going to replace all four bolts with new bolts, new hardened washers and a new nuts.