What's new
Van's Air Force

The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!

tool list for tube replacement "on the road"

S

seagull

Well Known Member
A friend had a flat on a flight to South America, It cost dearly in time ond money to have it repaired because he didn't have a tube or tools.
This got me thinking, what tools and parts would I need to carry in the -12 for a simple tube repair. Assuming the worse and it was a main wheel, I have Grove. Obviously a tube, manual tire pump, maybe pliers to remove the cotter key and axle nut. What are your thoughts?
 
Wrench (3/8?) to remove caliper, whatever tools are need to separate the wheel halves for Groves. I have the std Matco, which requires a #27 Torx wrench. For nose wheel, would need appropriate wrenches to remove the axle bolt.
 
Piper J3 said:
How do you intend to lift airplane to remove wheel?
Click to expand...
I can lift one side at the wing tie down. In a pinch lay on my back and push up with my legs, using heavy blankets between my feet and wing skin. It takes a second person to block the axle with a piece of wood.
 
Don’t forget the patch kit for the tube repair and a hand bicycle pump. I carry both in my bag. You will also need something to break the bead. It can be done with a long screwdriver
 
lr172 said:
Don’t forget the patch kit for the tube repair and a hand bicycle pump. I carry both in my bag. You will also need something to break the bead. It can be done with a long screwdriver
Click to expand...
Mine are Matco wheels, I have always split the wheels to change tires / tubes. Has anyone been able to replace a tube without splitting the wheels? I was planning on carrying a tube instead of a patch kit but maybe both wouldn’t hurt.
 
seagull said:
Mine are Matco wheels, I have always split the wheels to change tires / tubes. Has anyone been able to replace a tube without splitting the wheels? I was planning on carrying a tube instead of a patch kit but maybe both wouldn’t hurt.
Click to expand...
I split the wheels, but still struggle to separate the bead from the wheel half
 
seagull said:
I can lift one side at the wing tie down. In a pinch lay on my back and push up with my legs, using heavy blankets between my feet and wing skin. It takes a second person to block the axle with a piece of wood.
Click to expand...
Have you actually tried this?
 
In my younger days, I have done the back lift trick many times. If the wing height is right, it is all in the legs. I doubt it will work on the -10 though.
 
The best tool is preventive maintenance. Check tire pressure regularly and replace tires and tubes before they are completely worn out. However, if you do get a flat tire, a can of Fix-a-Flat might work long enough to get you home.

There are actually so many things that could ground you it’s hard to bring all the tools to do repairs in the field.

I have never had a flat but I did loose my brakes once. Luckily, I was at my home field and it happened while taxiing at slow speed before takeoff. I had a worn brake pad that let the fluid leak past the caliper piston. Now, I always replace my brake pads during my annual. If I had taken off and lost the brakes when I landed it would have been a disaster.
 
I’m actually more concerned with dead battery and not being able to hand-start the Rotax 912. Two years ago, I had a 3-month-old Odyssey PC680 take a dump at a nearby airport. I now carry a spare battery and tools to replace.
 
Piper J3 said:
I’m actually more concerned with dead battery and not being able to hand-start the Rotax 912. Two years ago, I had a 3-month-old Odyssey PC680 take a dump at a nearby airport. I now carry a spare battery and tools to replace.
Click to expand...
I always pack a small jumper pack too when traveling
 
A pilot with more brawn than brains lifted an RV-12 at the wingtip. If the plane would have been loaded with fuel and passengers, the wing could have been damaged. Luckily no damage was done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top