Identifying early/late model gear legs

[8024]

Good day all--

My understanding is that there are 3 different variants of main gear legs for the C-140. Early, middle and late model production. I have several gear legs in my stock but they have been removed and I am not sure if there is an easy way to identify which "series" they are. If anyone has a good way to tell them apart by visual means, I would be indebted.

Many thanks!

Todd Littfin
Smokin' Rivet Airparts & Salvage

[6597]

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=121

Start with this article by Neal Wright.

Someone else can jump in, but I think there were 3 iterations of the gear legs, the first 2 being interchangeable left and right, and the last having a 'bend' to mimic the extenders and thus a 'left' and 'right'. How you would determine the 'bend' (or 'twist' in Neal's article) I don't know. Here's a pic of my bird with another bird, showing the gear legs in profile on the plane. The first shows the 'straight' legs, the second shows the 'forward bend' legs. Use the wing struts to see the difference. Hopefully someone has some more useful information for you.

I'm certain the first iteration had the 1/4" axle bolt holes.

sweep.JPG (110.76 KiB) Viewed 10309 times

[8474]

I see you referenced the 140A parts book. Does that mean that only after the A model was introduced that the "bent" legs were introduced and were then retrofitted on earlier 140's?

[8424]

Hi Todd!

According to the parts lists David shows, the specific left gear ('bent gear'), part #0441149, started with C120/C140 serial #14307.

The following Cessna document indicates serial #14307 was toward the end of the 1947 serial number group.

https://support.cessna.com/custsupt/con ... s_id=23391

My 1949 C140, serial 14913, had the 'bent' gear.

Hope this helps.

Steve H

[6643]

PN 0441110 Straight, symmetrical about the center line, fits left or right, 1/4" axle bolt holes. Up to sn 13399
PN 0441138 Straight, symmetrical about the center line, fits left or right, 5/16" axle bolt holes. Sn 13400-14306
PN 0441149 Angled, not symmetrical, 5/16" axle bolt holes, fits left, sn 14307 -> and all 140a
PN 0441149-1 Angled, not symmetrical, 5/16" axle bolt holes, fits right, sn 14307 -> and all 140a

[8024]

Thank you all for the replies and help.

John-by not symmetrical you mean that the gear leg "taper" is not the same reduction in "width" going down towards the bottom of the gear leg?

Just want to make sure I am understanding you correctly.

I do now remember about the 1/4 and 5/16 bolts as well--so that will help a lot. I'm almost certain they are the oldest style as I seem to have a fair about of 46 stuff but lesser of the 47/48 items.

I will check them out when I get a few moments as I am organizing the hangar.

Many thanks all!

TL

[6643]

John-by not symmetrical you mean that the gear leg "taper" is not the same reduction in "width" going down towards the bottom of the gear leg?

No. If you draw a line from the center top of the leg (where it fits into the gear box) down along the face of the leg to the center bottom, where the axle attaches, and you keep the line mid way between the edges of the leg (a "center line"), the straight gear will be symmetrical about this line and the swept gear will not be.
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Not to scale...

gear legs.jpg (189.45 KiB) Viewed 10264 times

[VIP620]

would you have any straight legs with 5/15 holes and what kind of price you asking for them (PN 0441138 Straight)

[8233]

Can you put newer legs on one that has older ones now? I have a 46 but always wondered if the news legs were allowed.

[8373]

Can you put newer legs on one that has older ones now? I have a 46 but always wondered if the news legs were allowed.

I would be concerned about the legality of installing an incorrect part number making the aircraft out of conformity with the type certificate. But I’m a big chicken.
Did you ever find out? I never saw any other responses from the experts on this board.