Brief Description: Airplane Sitting on its Own Gear
Greased tapered bearings and installed in both main wheel and tire assemblies. (page 35-02, step 9). Page 35-02 is complete.
Installed both main gear wheel and tire assemblies. Noticed that step 1 and figure 1 on page 35-04 callout a washer (no PN) between the axle nut and the bearing seal. No washer was provided in the finishing kit and there was no washer on the axle assembly. Verified on Matco website that the MHE51B wheel assemblies use the WHLA3A axle. Downloaded the drawing from Matco website for the WHLA3A axle assembly and verified that no washer is required and that the nut has a built in shoulder in place of the washer so pressing on. Van's instructions need to be updated. Tightened both axle nuts and verified that breakout force was 8-10 pounds. Used a string around the perimeter of the tire and attached to a pull scale to measure breakout force. Installed cotter pins. Installed stationary brake shoes and spacers and torqued bolts to 100 in-lbs. (page 35-04, steps 1 and 2). Page 35-04 is complete.
Lowered airplane onto its own gear for the first time! Had to support tailcone - no engine weight upfront.
