Filling Nose Gear Oleo Strut - Piper PA-32R-301 SARATOGA SP Maintenance Manual

M. SERVICING OLEO STRUTS. (cont.)
Dirt and foreign particles form around the filler plugs of the
landing gear struts, therefore, before attempting to remove
these plugs, the tops of the struts should be cleaned with com-
pressed air and/or with a dry solvent.
These measurements are taken with the airplane setting on a level surface under normal static load (empty
weight of airplane plus full fuel and oil). If the strut has less tube exposed than that prescribed, determine
whether it needs air or oil by raising the airplane on jacks. With the strut extended, remove the cap from
the air valve at the top of the housing and depress the valve core to allow air to escape from the strut piston
until it is fully compressed. Allow the foam from the air-oil mixture to settle and then determine if oil is
visible up to the bottom of the filler plug hole. If the oil is visible at the bottom of the hole, then all that is
required is the valve be checked for unsatisfactory conditions and air added as described in Inflating Oleo
Struts. Should fluid be at any level below the bottom of the filler plug hole, the oleo should be checked for
leaks, etc, and oil added as described in Filling Nose Gear Oleo Strut for the nose gear or Filling Main
Gear Oleo Strut for the main gear. For repair procedures of the landing gear and/or oleo struts, refer to
Chapter 32.
N. FILLING NOSE GEAR OLEO STRUT.
To fill the nose gear oleo strut with hydraulic fluid (MIL-H-5606), whether it be only the addition of a
small amount or if the unit has been completely emptied and will required a large amount, it should be
filled as follows:
(1). Raise the airplane on jacks until the nose wheel is completely clear of the ground. (Refer to
Chapter 7.)
(2) Place a pan under the gear to catch spillage.
(3) If not previously accomplished, remove the engine cowl and relieve air from the strut housing
chamber by removing the cap from the air valve and depressing the valve core.
(4) There are two methods by which the strut chamber may be filled as follows:
(a) Method 1:
1 Remove valve core from filler plug at the top of strut housing. Do not remove plug.
2 Attach one end of a clear plastic hose to the valve stem of the filler plug and submerge the
other end in a container of hydraulic fluid. Ascertain that the end of the hose on the valve
stem is tight and the fluid container is approximately equal in height to the top of the strut
housing.
3 Fully compress and extend strut to draw fluid from the fluid container and expel air from
strut chamber. By watching the fluid pass through the plastic hose, determine when the
strut is full and no air is present in the chamber.
4 When air bubbles cease to flow through hose, compress strut fully and remove hose from
the valve stem.
5 With strut compressed, remove filler plug to determine that the fluid level is visible up to
the bottom of filler plug hole.
6 Install core in filler plug. Apply an appropriate thread lubricant to threads of filler plug
and install plug in top of strut housing. Torque plug to 45 foot-pounds.
PIPER AIRCRAFT
PA-32R-301/301T
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
—CAUTION —
1F12
12-10-00
Page 12-9
Reissued: July 1, 1993