Missing rivet head / loose rivet

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mbruffy
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Joined: Fri Jan 17, 2020 9:27 pm
Name: Matt Bruffy
Location: Texas
Aircraft Type: C140
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Missing rivet head / loose rivet

Post by mbruffy »

Good evening, I was out flying today and after flying I noticed that there was a broken rivet under my left gear leg. I washed the plane this morning and that specific area to remove exhaust grime and know it was not missing this morning before flying. No rough landings. I tried to look in the gear box but with no mirror I couldn’t see anything. Also looked behind the cover where gear leg goes into box, again just no visibility. I’ll attach some photos. Would this require removing gear leg to be able to repair that rivet?
Thanks for the help!
Matt
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V529
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Name: Victor G
Location: Michigan
Aircraft Type: C-120
Occupation-Interests: Work on airplanes till the cows come home..........they're still out.
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Re: Missing rivet head / loose rivet

Post by V529 »

I'd find a mirror first. Take a look at it. I've had that area open and replace the skin that the rivet is missing from. There is a "flange" in there, so I'm not certain if it's above or below the rivet line. I'm pretty sure........?? that the long piece that extends over to the other gear leg under the fuselage has a flange on it and I think it's just above that rivet line. Meaning with gear installed you wouldn't be able to get in there and buck the rivet. All those skins, From the top of the door post, to the wrap piece around each strut and gear leg to the floor piece under the gear box are ,050 thick. They are structural and support the cabin. So that is an important area is what I'm trying to convey.

Since none of the other rivets are "smoking", you may have just had one tired rivet that let go. Perhaps start with a Cherry Max rivet first to replace it, then if more come out, go with the Gear leg removal and bucked rivet route.
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