Piper Navajo PA-31 Service Manual page 45

PIPER NAVAJO SERVICE MANUAL
On serial numbers 31-1 to 31-299 inclusive the reservoir should be filled to the level marked on the reser-
voir. The reservoir is located in the forward baggage compartment.
On serial numbers 31-300 and up the reservoir should be filled to the level marked on the dipstick. A
filler access door is located on the upper right side of the nose section.
1. Gain access to the brake reservoir scupper, open the nose baggage door, remove the tow bar and
screened radio access panel.
2. Clean surfaces around scupper and adjacent aircraft skin with a suitable solvent to remove any
foreign matter.
3 Apply a bead of sealant (3M EC 750 or equivalent) around the scupper. Particular attention should be
paid to sealing the forward edge of the scupper at the hinge attach point.
4 Install the removed items and make the appropriate logbook entry.
2-29. DRAINING BRAKE SYSTEM. To drain the brake system, connect a hose to the bleeder fitting on
the bottom of the cylinder and place the other end of the line in a suitable container. Open the bleeder and
slowly pump the desired brake pedal until fluid ceases to flow. To clean the brake system, flush with
denatured alcohol.
2-30. OLEO STRUTS.
2-31. SERVICING OLEO STRUTS. Air-oil shock struts are incorporated in each landing gear oleo
assembly to absorb the shock resulting from the impact of the wheels on the runway during landing. To
obtain proper oleo action, the nose and main gear oleo struts must have approximately 3.25 inches of
piston tube exposed under normal static loads. (Refer to Figure 2-12.) If a strut has less than the required
inches exposed, determine whether it needs air or oil by rocking the airplane. If the airplane settles to its
normal position within one cycle after the rocking force is removed, the oleo strut requires inflating. (Refer
to Paragraph 2-34.) If the airplane continues to oscillate after the rocking force is removed, the oleo strut
requires filling. (Refer to Paragraph 2-32.) For repairs to the gear oleos, refer to Section VII of this manual.
WARNING
Do not release air by removing the strut valve core or filler plug.
Depress the valve core pin until strut pressure has diminished.
NOTE
Struts may be serviced and adjusted per placard on strut.
2-32. ADDING FLUID TO STRUTS. To add fluid to an oleo strut which is partly full, proceed as follows:
a. Place the airplane on jacks. (Refer to Paragraph 2-10.)
b. Place a pan under the gear to catch spillage.
c. Release the air in the oleo strut by pressing in on the air valve core pin.
d. Remove the air valve (filler plug). Allow valve core to remain in valve.
e. Extend the strut to two inches from the fully compressed position.
f. At the two-inch extended position, fill the strut through the filler opening with fluid as specified.
g.
Slowly compress the strut to the fully compressed position allowing fluid to overflow.
h. With oleo strut in the compressed position, reinstall air valve and safety.
i. Inflate the oleo struts with air to the required extension per instructions in Paragraph 2-34.
Revised: 3/11/81
HANDLING AND SERVICING
1B21