Putting the nose gear fork on the gear leg for the first time (with the disc springs, flat washer, and nut as specified) I noticed the following peculiarity: When I swivel the fork, the disc springs rotate with it. That doesn't seem right, does it?
To elaborate a bit: I would have thought that when the fork swivels, the disc springs should remain stationary, and there would be a "bearing surface" where the top disc spring contacts the brass bushing of the fork. Instead, the disc springs rotate with the fork, and so the "bearing surface" is where the bottom disc spring contacts the flat washer. Again, that just doesn't seem right. I'm not worried about the disc spring cutting into the flat washer, which is easily replaceable. But I would worry that over time the rotating disc springs might cut grooves into the gear leg, which wouldn't be good...
Please respond with experience and insight:
Do your disc springs rotate with the fork, or do they remain stationary?
Do you know if the design intent is for the disc springs to rotate or not?
(I will also call and ask Van's about this on Monday, but I'd sure also like to hear from the group)
Thanks,
-Roee
To elaborate a bit: I would have thought that when the fork swivels, the disc springs should remain stationary, and there would be a "bearing surface" where the top disc spring contacts the brass bushing of the fork. Instead, the disc springs rotate with the fork, and so the "bearing surface" is where the bottom disc spring contacts the flat washer. Again, that just doesn't seem right. I'm not worried about the disc spring cutting into the flat washer, which is easily replaceable. But I would worry that over time the rotating disc springs might cut grooves into the gear leg, which wouldn't be good...
Please respond with experience and insight:
Do your disc springs rotate with the fork, or do they remain stationary?
Do you know if the design intent is for the disc springs to rotate or not?
(I will also call and ask Van's about this on Monday, but I'd sure also like to hear from the group)
Thanks,
-Roee