Wheel pant tow hole protection

[togaflyer]

I want to install some type of protection ring around the nose wheel pant tow hole. Is there a product out there or do I need to fabricate something. Any suggestion?

 

[Bill.Peyton]

I know someone out there makes polished metal protection rings. Be careful though, the lineman may think its ok to tow from the reinforcement ring instead of the bolts. I extended my tow Pins/bolts to protrude beyond the wheel pant by just a slight amount just to make it clear that the pins are used for towing. I know of someone who had the wheel pant ripped off by a line guy pulling the plane with the "hole" and not the pin!

 

[Dad's RV-10]

I want to install some type of protection ring around the nose wheel pant tow hole. Is there a product out there or do I need to fabricate something. Any suggestion?

Here's a link to protection rings you can buy from FlyBoy Accessories.

Here's a link to a thread with some alternative ideas.

 

[MacCool]

Here's a link to protection rings you can buy from FlyBoy Accessories.

Here's a link to a thread with some alternative ideas.

Yeah, those are nice but expensive, and they’re a different diameter than standard, apparently…I’ll re-install mine after I re-fiberglass the wheel pants again and can match the hole size. Meantime, I definitely see the need for extended 5/8 pins on the axle in order to mitigate damage from the bars on my Best Tugs tug.

 

[wirejock]

Yeah, those are nice but expensive, and they’re a different diameter than standard, apparently…I’ll re-install mine after I re-fiberglass the wheel pants again and can match the hole size. Meantime, I definitely see the need for extended 5/8 pins on the axle in order to mitigate damage from the bars on my Best Tugs tug.

Anyone have the correct length?
Did you extend with washers or a nut?

 

[Bill.Peyton]

I just purchased chrome hex caps that were longer. aviation section of lowes maybe or fastenal

 

[MacCool]

Anyone have the correct length?
Did you extend with washers or a nut?

Pin adapters /extenders from Best Tugs

 

[MED]

Anyone have the correct length?
Did you extend with washers or a nut?

I used longer cap screws from Fastenal and put a steel bolt sleeve that I cut to length so the lock washer would work. I extended the bolt head outside of the wheel pant about 1/2”. I also made a hole guard from a stainless steel fender washer.

 

[funflying]

I used longer cap screws from Fastenal and put a steel bolt sleeve that I cut to length so the lock washer would work. I extended the bolt head outside of the wheel pant about 1/2”. I also made a hole guard from a stainless steel fender washer.

I used clear 3M tape commonly used on cars for high ware areas and the clear bra.
I cut a 3-4 inch circle, placed it over the hole to be protected, and then cut slices in the hole for the tow bar. I bent those pieces back to the inside of the wheel pant. Still try to be careful with the tow bar but has worked well for 10 years.

 

[Jesse23]

I made these out of SS with an aluminum backing ring with nut plates. The black sleeve is heat shrink tubing outside and pushed into the Bogart end for a really nice fit on the cap screw.

 

[dmattmul]

This works well, use 3:1 adhesive lined shrink tube and fold inside. Longer bolts and sleeves can be purchased at Lowes or Bogert Aviation sells sets.

 

[togaflyer]

Some great ideas, thank you!

 

[BH1166]

I put a circle or square of clear vinyl over the opening, cut out center with exacto knife. Rinse and repeat as needed to pretty it back up . KISS method

 

[Cth6]

I made 3d printed rings like the ss ones. Only difference is mine are held on by 3m tape and then have a small lip that keeps them centered on the hole. I used white PETG.

 

[erich weaver]

A very inexpensive option that has worked well for me is large rubber grommets in the wheel pant holes. That, in combination with the heat shrink on the tow bar has solved the problem.