The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

I'm looking for advice on the landing gear on a 46 120. The left gear has more of a bend in it than the right gear. The left tire is definitely wearing more to the inside, and the slant is noticeable. The right tire is wearing normally and sits vertically. Putting a straight edge on the gear, the left gear leg has about 3/8" greater space in the middle of the stick than the right gear leg. Has anybody else dealt with this? Not sure whether the gear can be straightened, or if that amount of difference (other than buying tires) is a safety, etc. issue. Thanks for any input!

Ken Hamilton
OR78
Oregon

Wedges on the axles to get the wheels more vertical? Just an idea.

I see you are down at Daniels Field on the interstate, maybe a flight up to Mulino to check with Tim Mix may be in order, he's a 120-140 guru.

I guess I would make sure you have the correct gears first, both are either swept or straight (according to year), and that they are locked in correctly at the fuselage.

Hi Ken,

Your landing gear leg "sag" is unfortunately somewhat normal. Usually the gear legs "sag" together.........but as in your case. Not always.

1. It's not detrimental. i.e. the landing gear leg won't fail because of it.
2. I would remove the step and make sure the leg isn't cracked through the step bolt holes. (clean the area well, bolt holes and look for cracks, usually running fore and aft on the bottom of the lower hole, but not always)
3. David Lowe is your best source for replacement gear legs. I would also contact him about whether or not the current gear leg can be straightened.
4. Last case resort is to put in a wedge/shim as John suggested.
5. I'll be out of computer range for several days, if you need David's contact info, he's in the membership directory, I would call rather than email.

...just to add to Victor's (#2):

CESSNA SERVICE LETTER SLN 63-14

DATE: 03-05-63

SUBJECT: Main landing gear inspection

We still receive an occasional report concerning failure of the main landing gear on the Models 120 and 140 aircraft. Reports indicate that these failures occur through the rivet holes used in attaching the step to the main landing gear.

Because of these reports, and due to the age of the airplanes involved, is is suggested that all Model 120 and 140 landing gears be checked for cracks at the next 100 hour inspection. Any gears found to be cracked should be replaced immediately.

Prior to inspection, the main gear should be prepared by first drilling out the step rivets and thoroughly cleaning the surface around the rivet holes. A visual inspection should then be made of this area by using a 3 or 4 power magnifying glass - particular attention should be given to the underneath side of the gear since a crack would normally appear on this side first. Any corrosion which is minor in nature should be removed and the surface reprirned prior to reinstallation of the step. Steps should be reinstalled by using AN526-1032 screws and AN365-1 032 nuts

Gear legs are fairly easy to replace. One word of caution. The wedges are held in place by an AN 4 bolt. The bolt screws into a nut plate on the inside of a channel under the floor. If you decided to remove the bolt that holds the wedge in place, spray some lube of some kind or otherwise lube the nut plate and remove the bolt slowly a bit at time making sure that the rivets holding the nut plate don't snap off. This will happen if the bolt is corroded and "welded" to the nut plate threads. You won't know this has happened until you try to put the wedges back in place as the nut plate will bind in the channel.

Replace the leg with a good used one. They are readily available.
Follow member 6277's advice regarding the plate nuts.
Joe

Thanks for all your suggestions and information!! We do really appreciate the sharing of expertise from everyone.