Main Landing Gear Removal; Main Landing Gear Cleaning, Inspection And Repair - Piper PA-44-180 SEMINOLE Maintenance Manual

MAIN LANDING GEAR ASSEMBLY.
REMOVAL OF MAIN LANDING GEAR. (Refer to Figure 32-3.)
1. Place the airplane on jacks.
2. The side brace link assembly may be removed by the following procedure.
A. With gear in the extended position, disconnect gear downlock spring.
B. Disconnect rod end of actuating cylinder from retraction fitting on the upper side brace link by
removing nut, washer, bolt, bushing and spring swivel.
C. Disconnect lower side brace link from gear housing by removing attachment nut, washer and bolt.
Note bushings on each side of end bearing.
D. Disconnect upper side brace link from side brace support fitting stud by removing cotter pin, washer
and attachment bolt.
E. The side brace support fitting may be removed by removing the cap bolts securing the fitting to the
web of the spar.
F. Remove the assembly and further disassemble and inspect as needed.
3. The strut housing with components may be removed by the following procedure:
A. Disconnect brake line at its upper end in the wheel well.
B. Disconnect gear door actuating rod at the gear housing.
C. Remove access plate located on underside of wing, aft of landing gear.
D. If not previously disconnected, disconnect lower side brace link from the gear housing.
E. Disconnect forward support fitting of housing from the web of the main spar by removing fitting
attachment bolts.
F. Remove retainer tube in aft support fitting that supports the aft arm of the housing by reaching through
the access opening on the underside of the wing through the hole in the web and removing bolt that
secures the tube in the housing. Insert a hook through the bolt hole in the tube, and slide it aft from the
support fining. Remove the tube from the wing.
G. Allow the gear to drop free from the wing.
H. The aft support fitting may be removed by holding the nuts in position, reaching through the access
opening, and removing the fitting attachment bolts.
I. The forward support fitting may be removed from the arm of the housing by removing the bolt washer
from the base side of the fitting. Slide the fitting from the arm. Remove washer from the arm.
4. Either bearing installed in the support fittings may be removed by removing the snap rings that hold the
bearing in the housing. Push the bearing from the housing.
CLEANING, INSPECTION AND REPAIR OF MAIN LANDING GEAR.
1. Clean all parts with a suitable type cleaning solvent.
2. Inspect the gear components for the following unfavorable and conditions.
A. Bolts, bearing and bushings for excess wear, corrosion and damage.
B. Gear housing, side brace links, torque links and attachment plates for cracks, bends or misalignment.
C. Downlock hook for excessive wear of the bearing surfaces.
3. Inspect the gear downlock spring for the following:
A. Excessive wear or corrosion, especially around the hook portion of the spring. A spring should be
rejected if wear or corrosion exceeds one-quarter the diameter of the spring. Clean away all corrosion
and repaint.
B. Check the spring for load tensions below minimum allowable tolerance. The minimum tension of the
spring is 48 pounds pull at 7.9 inches. Measurement is taken from the inner side of each hook.
PIPER AIRCRAFT
PA - 4 4 - 1 8 0 / 1 8 0 T
AIRPLANE MAINTENANCE MANUAL
2G6
3 2 - 1 2 - 0 2
Page 32-14
Revised: May 15, 1989