I had been delaying installing the nose gear because doing so would require creating more space in the garage to account for the extra length the gear adds to the fuse. With the date to move to the airport fast approaching, I needed to get the engine hung which meant getting the gear installed. I got the garage sorted so it was time to complete the installation.
First I completed the wheel install by greasing the pivot via the zerk fitting and tightening the nut so that a force of 26# was required to pivot the wheel from side-to-side. I then moved the gear assembly to the engine mount and mounted it to the bottom attach . Then the fun began which involved compressing the rubber pucks that make up the nose gear suspension enough to get the bolt mounting holes to line up. I first tried to compress the assembly using cargo straps, and that got the holes close but still about 1/4" out. So I hung weights and climbed onto the mount to add my 180 #s to the mass. That was enough weight to compress the assembly and bring the holes into alignment. Probllem was based upon my perch on the mount I couldn't reach the hole to insert the bolt. I solved the problem by having my daughter come out and insert the bolt for me.
