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Maintaining Tire Pressure with Wheel Pants
- Thread starter HEB1022
- Start date
You can piece one together.
Find a straight air chuck (like this) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GS6GGF2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and fit it to a gauge (like this) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RVHPWK8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 by removing the quick connect coupler that comes attached to the gauge and installing the straight air chuck.
Additionally I picked up one of these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076XP3DR7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 to remove (and reinstall) the valve stem cap through the wheel pant hole.
I carry all these along in a bag with tie down straps and gust locks.
Find a straight air chuck (like this) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GS6GGF2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and fit it to a gauge (like this) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RVHPWK8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 by removing the quick connect coupler that comes attached to the gauge and installing the straight air chuck.
Additionally I picked up one of these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076XP3DR7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 to remove (and reinstall) the valve stem cap through the wheel pant hole.
I carry all these along in a bag with tie down straps and gust locks.
Piper J3
Well Known Member
Why not install Tire Pressure Monitors instead? I've been using TPM on main tires for over a year. Tire pressure can be checked as part of preflight inspection. Works a charm.... 
https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=199694&highlight=tpm
Photos are TPM and stick-on balance weight...
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https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=199694&highlight=tpm
Photos are TPM and stick-on balance weight...
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I found that I needed a straight single-foot air chuck in order to keep the access holes in the wheel pants small. I use hex-shaped valve stem caps and remove/replace them with a hex socket. The gauge can be anything that allows inflating and checking pressure at the same time, just find one you like and screw on the straight single-foot chuck. I use https://www.amazon.com/WYNNsky-Bayonet-Style-Inflator-Straight/dp/B06VSRNTMK/ref=sr_1_37?keywords=tire+inflator+pressure+gauges&qid=1674223667&sr=8-37and it works fine. Some people like the electronic ones…I have this one at home in the garage and it works fine too.
pjc
Well Known Member
I just use a screw on extension to measure pressure or add air through a 5/8" hole in the wheel pant (drilled using a step drill).
https://www.amazon.com/Bluecell-Str...ell+pack+of+2+brass+heavy+duty,aps,146&sr=8-2
Two additional tips: hex headed caps are handy as noted above and hole covers such as these make a tidy way to cover the access hole.
https://www.amazon.com/Hillman-Grou...619&sprefix=hilman+group+58145,aps,141&sr=8-1
Best of luck.
Peter
https://www.amazon.com/Bluecell-Str...ell+pack+of+2+brass+heavy+duty,aps,146&sr=8-2
Two additional tips: hex headed caps are handy as noted above and hole covers such as these make a tidy way to cover the access hole.
https://www.amazon.com/Hillman-Grou...619&sprefix=hilman+group+58145,aps,141&sr=8-1
Best of luck.
Peter
Why not install Tire Pressure Monitors instead? I've been using TPM on main tires for over a year. Tire pressure can be checked as part of preflight inspection. Works a charm....
https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=199694&highlight=tpm
Photos are TPM and stick-on balance weight...
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I have these on my main tires and they work perfectly.
Did you put one on the nose gear tire ?
I did'nt.
I can't unscrew it and add air without removing the front pant
Max
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Would "flow-through" monitors work for us? Like these?
https://www.amazon.com/Easesuper-Pr...lja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1
I have a hangar-mate with a Zenith 750 Cruzer so I'm considering this kit, 3 for my -12iS and 3 for his 750 Cruzer. We could keep the monitor unit on the workbench and check both aircraft at the same time!
Piper J3
Well Known Member
Too big and bulky. Might be difficult to balance wheel. Get similar unit as my post above and Bluetooth to cell phone app...
Jim, if I had understand correctly what you have only allows you to check the tire pressure without removing the pants. If you need to add air you still have the same problem as the rest of us?
I have the Michelin tubes also. Every 60 days I check pressure and typically add 2psi. I do a visual tire check every time I walk up to the plane. The only reason I can see the remote sensors useful is on a landing checklist. Any leak is going to create a visually flat tire so the wheel pant is coming off regardless. I use the 1” hole and a screw on extension, very quick to add and check. I use witness paint to mark the bottom of the tire when the valve stem is aligned with the 1” hole.
Has anyone put a sensor on nose gear?
Can you take it off and add air with removing the wheel pant?
Thanks
Piper J3
Well Known Member
Nose wheel uses same long 90 degree valve stem as used on main wheels. There is not enough clearance to the fork for a TPM. I tried....
I ditched my wheel pants after a couple of years. It was too much hassle to add air. If the tire goes flat the weight goes on to the wheel pants and you have to jack up the plane to fill the tire. They look great, but not really practical.
Piper J3
Well Known Member
Cessna can't even make pilot / passenger ingress doors so they stay shut....
Reminds me of an ad I once saw; "When one door closes, another one opens. Other than that, it's pretty good Cessna."
Re ditching wheel pants
I did a trip last year to some remote parts of Australia where facilities are very limited. I removed the main gear pants to make it easier to deal with a flat but left the nose gear in place.
Having seen many reports of pants being worth 3-5 knots, I was expecting a slower trip but there was really no change. Perhaps the nose gear accounts for most of the drag?
Jack
I did a trip last year to some remote parts of Australia where facilities are very limited. I removed the main gear pants to make it easier to deal with a flat but left the nose gear in place.
Having seen many reports of pants being worth 3-5 knots, I was expecting a slower trip but there was really no change. Perhaps the nose gear accounts for most of the drag?
Jack
Jetguy
Well Known Member
Resurrecting this old thread because Cleveland tool now has their Valve stem inflator tool in stock!
https://cleavelandtool.com/products/cleaveland-valve-stem-inflation-tool?_pos=1&_sid=48a87e8df&_ss=r
https://cleavelandtool.com/products/cleaveland-valve-stem-inflation-tool?_pos=1&_sid=48a87e8df&_ss=r
Purchase a 6 inch screw on valve extender kit. I use a piece of rubber hose the valve cap fits into and inserted an 6 inch long aluminum tube into the same hose. This is my cap remover. I line up the valve with the hole, use my cap remover, insert the 6 inch valve extender onto the valve, check or add air and quickly unscrew it. Works great. The kit come with two extenders so one for the shop and one for my travel tool kit.
Flying my airplane without wheel pants costs me about 10 knots at cruise.
All of the "screw on" valve cap types do. In fact, the Fobo Brand that I used introduced a slow leak -- either I "forgot" to lube an o-ring (I hate when that happens) or the little transducer leaked. Either way, I decided it wasn't worth it.
My solution was to get this from Amazon;
Then reshape a piece of thin wall brass tubing to a hex to fit the outside. Slide the tube to remove the valve stem nut. Retract the tube and screw on the extension and do pressure test and fill normally outside the wheel pant.
Then reshape a piece of thin wall brass tubing to a hex to fit the outside. Slide the tube to remove the valve stem nut. Retract the tube and screw on the extension and do pressure test and fill normally outside the wheel pant.
I have posted this before, but am posting it again ...
A simple extension, not threaded on to the stem - unless the alignment of the stem to WP access hole is (really) straight, it can be difficult to thread the extension onto the valve stem.
Mine is just a 6" 1/8 NPT Brass nipple attached to a valve stem air chuck adapter (see below). I turn the "flats" off the adapter to make it a little "slimmer" to go through the access hole.
Also on my personal inflator I attach the extension to its flexible hose, for added convenience. I also have an inflator that has the extension attached directly to the inflator body - don't like this one as well, it's a bit more restrictive if there is an out-of-alignment condition.
There are as many ways to do this service out there as there are "maintenance officers" doing it - this is just a way I have adopted ...
HFS
A simple extension, not threaded on to the stem - unless the alignment of the stem to WP access hole is (really) straight, it can be difficult to thread the extension onto the valve stem.
Mine is just a 6" 1/8 NPT Brass nipple attached to a valve stem air chuck adapter (see below). I turn the "flats" off the adapter to make it a little "slimmer" to go through the access hole.
Also on my personal inflator I attach the extension to its flexible hose, for added convenience. I also have an inflator that has the extension attached directly to the inflator body - don't like this one as well, it's a bit more restrictive if there is an out-of-alignment condition.
There are as many ways to do this service out there as there are "maintenance officers" doing it - this is just a way I have adopted ...
HFS
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I appreciate this post....the slider gauge on 12 year-old inflator that the OB included with the airplane has become suspect.
Was it one of these? https://steelmantools.com/products/straight-chuck-tire-inflator-12-inch-red-hose
They seem quite robust, but I've never tried to calibrate it with another gauge.
--Ron
That (or very similar) is the one I have, but with a straight chuck (OB had to grind off the angled part so that the hole in the wheel pants would be smaller). I started getting "notchiness" in the pressure slider and the pressures I was getting weren't repeatable. I tried some silicone spray, which improves things only for awhile. The dial is easier to read, but no doubt will turn out to be more fragile.
I use one of these;
They don’t hang up and no guessing.
They don’t hang up and no guessing.
sibriggs
Well Known Member
I looked at cutting holes in my pants and even bought some nice streamline covers for the holes, Never could bring myself to cut holes in the pants.
Instead... buy some no leak tubes they hold pressure for almost 12 months depending on OATs, then get some bluetooth pressure sending valve caps from FOBO and read the pressure on your cell phone, even during flight, with a warning if it drops below a certain value. I've had this arrangement for almost 4 years and never had to pull the pants to add air more than a couple of times between Cnd Instp. Only have to replace valve stem battery evey 2 years or so when the cell phone ap says it's low, I alway do them early, usually during CI.
Instead... buy some no leak tubes they hold pressure for almost 12 months depending on OATs, then get some bluetooth pressure sending valve caps from FOBO and read the pressure on your cell phone, even during flight, with a warning if it drops below a certain value. I've had this arrangement for almost 4 years and never had to pull the pants to add air more than a couple of times between Cnd Instp. Only have to replace valve stem battery evey 2 years or so when the cell phone ap says it's low, I alway do them early, usually during CI.
Where does one find no leak tubes? I can't seem to find any tubes that hold pressure for more than a few weeks.
Michelin air stop tubes.. they have to be the Michelin ones. Goodyear are ok too, but the Michelin are the best. Unfortunately they don’t make a nosewheel tube. The best solution is to build a tailwheel!!
Bet this guy wouldn't agree, he stopped by just a few days ago to discuss what to do with his damaged bird.
Experienced pilot with lots of hours in same bird.
https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/461422
No laughing here! That looks GREAT!
I bought one of those from Cleaveland when they started selling them. I shortly thereafter was notified that if line pressure was greater than 60 psi, the gauge might be destroyed. Did they address that in the later versions, or does that warning still apply?
Is it possible to put a small bend in the straight stem to help with lining up to the valve ? I will probably have this same issue…
This is why the Cleveland tool is a little bit unique, it does not have the angled foot.
Amazon has some straight valve stem extensions you can screw on the check and fill, but it becomes a chore. The Cleveland setup is hard to beat.
I find this works well : https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/lgpages/ae06-03064.php?clickkey=2781314
So that's basically the equivalent of what you can get on Amazon. A pair of them for under $15.
I used them for a little while. Compared to the Cleveland too it's kind of a pain with the threading, then attaching a gauge and chuck or each separately, and then keep track of the extension separately from your air chuck. With the Cleveland chuck tool it's one tool and one push-on action.
Marginal difference. Extensions will get the job done but it's so much more convenient with the tool.
What you've referenced is a solid metal tube, but the extension I've provided a link to is flexible, making it much easier to connect and tighten on a Schrader valve.
Full disclosure, on my new RV-10, I changed directions and instead of finding an easy way to access the air valve externally, I made it easy to remove the wheel pant by using 1/4 turn Skybolt fasteners. It takes about 30 seconds to quickly undo and remove one half of the wheel pant providing a good visual of the tire, brakes and then free access to the tire valve.
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