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1. 02:22 PM - Re: Modified Nose Wheel Upgrade (Eclat2)
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| Subject: | Re: Modified Nose Wheel Upgrade |
Common 'graded' hardware, like Grade 5 & 8, is pretty ordinary stuff available
at most hardware stores. It's not bleeding edge technology. Grade 8 is stronger
(harder / stiffer) than Grade 5, but it's not really 'strong' in the overall
spectrum of high strength hardware. If you want strong, then don't buy
from your local hardware store.
The major difference between Grades 5 & 8 is hardness, and stiffness comes along
with that. When overstressed, Grade 5 will bend, but it won't break and fall
off. Ronko's nose wheel assembly bent, but it didn't fall off, and his last
landing was an uneventful one... which is a good thing in many ways.
Had he used a Grade 8, the bolt probably wouldn't have bent when the Grade 5 one
did. But if it ever did receive a load that caused to to fail, it might have
broken and parts might have fallen off. Personally, I'd rather have a crooked
wheel than no wheel.
The better solution than 'Graded' hardware would be to use a truly high-strength
bolt, available from Aircraft Spruce, Leaf, Earl's, etc. The downside there
is that if everything else is built on the aircraft ragged edge of lightness,
then the failure point would move on up into the landing gear leg somewhere.
Personally, I like the idea of having something that gives without breaking, like
the Grade 5 bolt. Couple that with regular inspections, and the chances of
an actual 'break' failure should be minimized. Replacing a bolt once in a
while isn't a hardship if it also means nothing falls of in flight, and that I
can count on having landing gear when I touch down.
I'm also into motorsports, and use Grade 5 suspension bolts. If a Grade 5 bends
too easily, I go to a larger Grade 5. But I don't go to something brittle
that might actually 'break' as a failure mode, and pitch me off into the weeds.
Just my opinion...
Tim
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http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=455589#455589
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