Inflating Oleo Struts; Brake System; Filling Brake Cylinder Reservoir - Piper PA-32R-301 SARATOGA SP Maintenance Manual

0. FILLING MAIN GEAR OLEO STRUT. (cont.)
(b) Method II.
1 Remove the filler plug from the top of the strut housing.
2 Raise the strut to full compression.
3 Pour fluid from a clean container through the filler opening until it is visible at the top of
the strut chamber.
4 Lower the gear until the wheel touches the ground and then fully compress and extend the
strut three or four times to remove any air from the housing.
5 Raise the strut to full compression and if needed, fill with fluid to the bottom of the filler
plug.
6 Apply thread lubricant (Parker 6PB) to the threads of the filler plug. Reinstall the filler
plug and torque to 45 foot-pounds.
5. With airplane raised, retract and extend gear strut several times to ascertain that the strut actuates
freely. The weight of gear fork and wheel should extend strut.
6. Clean off overflow of fluid and inflate strut as described in Inflating Oleo Struts.
7. Check that fluid is not leaking around the strut piston at the bottom of the housing.
P. INFLATING OLEO STRUTS.
Make certain that oleo strut has sufficient fluid and that torque link is properly connected. Attach a strut
pump to air valve and inflate oleo strut to proper visible piston extension, or a pressure of 250 ± 25 psi (for
the main gear struts) and 225 ± 22.5 psi for the nose gear strut.
When using pressure method pistons must be fully extended by raising aircraft off ground. (Refer to
Chapter 7 Lifting and Shoring) .
When using the extension method, the aircraft should be fully serviced with fuel and engine oil and resting
on its landing gear. Inflate strut until correct inches of piston is exposed. Rock aircraft several times to
ascertain that gear settles back to the correct strut position. If a strut pump is not available, raise aircraft
and use line pressure from a high pressure air system. Lower aircraft and, while rocking it, bring strut
down to proper extension by releasing air from valve.
Check for valve core leakage before capping valve.
Q. BRAKE SYSTEM.
The brake system incorporates a hydraulic fluid reservoir through which the brake system is periodically
serviced. Fluid is drawn from the reservoir by the brake cylinders to maintain the volume of fluid required
for maximum braking efficiency. Spongy brake pedal action is often an indication that the brake fluid
reservoir is running low on fluid. Instructions for filling the reservoir are given in Filling Brake Cylinder
Reservoir. When found necessary to accomplish repairs to any of the brake system components, or to bleed
the system, these instructions may be found in Chapter 32.
R. FILLING BRAKE CYLINDER RESERVOIR.
The brake cylinder reservoir is located on the left side of the firewall in the engine compartment. It should
be checked at every 50 hour inspection and replenished as necessary. Fill with MIL-H-5606 fluid to level
marked on reservoir, No brake adjustment of is necessary, though they should be checked periodically per
instructions given in Chapter 32.
PIPER AIRCRAFT
PA-32R-301/301T
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
1F14
12-10-00
Page 12-11
Reissued: July 1, 1993