Today I assembled the brake and wheel pant mounts for the main gear. I used the machined spacers from PlaneAround and assembled the brake torque plate and pant mounts per Van's assembly instructions and then assembled the units to the gear legs. I torqued the large bolt but not the small ones since the wheel pant mount will have to be match-drilled to the pant and then removed to be finished (I also left the blue plastic on to protect it). Next I took the previously assembled wheels and put them on but did not use a cotter pin as the main nuts will have to come off to add the axle extension later.
I then turned to the nosewheel. I followed Matco's instructions to prep the axle, though it really didn't need it - there were no burrs or rough spots anywhere. I used the axle bolt to position one of the spacers and clamped it and then used it as a drilling guide for the 1/4" hole in the fork. I then assembled the wheel with the tire and tube, using the same procedure as the mains. I did have to grease the bearings, but once that was done I inserted the Matco axle and tightened it and then used the set screw to hold it in place.Then I threaded the axle bolt through the washers, fork, spacers, and Matco axle and inserted the keeper bolt through the left spacer and axle. Then I torqued both bolts. After that, there was nothing left to do but lower the fuselage so the wheels were on the ground!
