Scott Will
Well Known Member
I am quickly approaching the 100 hour mark on my noseroller -7A... and loving every moment of it. However I have one issue that is bugging me. My nosegear creaks... a lot... when there is a side load on it (i.e. pushing sideways on the cowl). You can hear the creaking when I tow it out of the hangar and turn the nosewheel or when you intentionally push the airplane to the side. But today I noticed the creaking coming back after a local flight.
About a week ago I serviced the nosegear. I greased the fork and adjusted the breakout force. I found the breakout force to be surprisingly low so I tightened it back up.
I wanted to garner the experience of the experienced nose dragger people. This creaking (don't know of a better way to describe it) isn't normal, is it? When I had the nose gear off the ground, you can see some play in the gear side-to-side as you try to rotate it (looking straight on...imagine rotating it... not about the vertical axis).
My fork is the newer model. I have always flown off improved strips and tried to land without much sideload.
I'm wondering if I should replace the fork. Wonder if the aluminum bore is wearing?
Appreciate the input!
About a week ago I serviced the nosegear. I greased the fork and adjusted the breakout force. I found the breakout force to be surprisingly low so I tightened it back up.
I wanted to garner the experience of the experienced nose dragger people. This creaking (don't know of a better way to describe it) isn't normal, is it? When I had the nose gear off the ground, you can see some play in the gear side-to-side as you try to rotate it (looking straight on...imagine rotating it... not about the vertical axis).
My fork is the newer model. I have always flown off improved strips and tried to land without much sideload.
I'm wondering if I should replace the fork. Wonder if the aluminum bore is wearing?
Appreciate the input!