Piper COMANCHE PA-24-180 Service Manual page 225

PIPER COMANCHE SERVICE MANUAL
6-41. Landing Gear Retraction System.
6-42. Principal Of Operation. The landing gear is a tricycle type. fully retractable through an electrically
operated retraction mechanism The retraction mechanism consists of an electric motor and transmission
assembly. torque tube assembly. push-pull cables for each main gear and a push-pull tube to the nose gear
Limit switches are installed in the system to shut off the motor when the gear is fully extended or retracted
These switches also operate gear indicator lights on the instrument panel.
The landing gear selector switch is placed in the up position activating the retraction motor which
operates the transmission. The retraction transmission pushes the torque arms forward which pull the main
landing gear cables and pushes the nose gear retraction tube forward. retracting the landing gear When the
gear is fully retracted. the gear up limit switch stops the motor and the amber gear up indicator light on the
instrument panel lights The landing gear selector switch is then placed in the down position. operating the
motor and retraction transmission. The transmission pulls the torque arms back which pushes on the main
gear cables and pulls on the nose gear tube extending the landing gear. When the gear is fully extended. the
gear down switches stop the motor and the green gear down and locked indicator light on the instrument
panel lights.
6-43. Removal Of Gear Retraction Transmission Assembly. (Refer to Figure 6-14.)
a. Remove the gear retraction transmission assembly by using the following procedure'
I
Place the airplane on jacks. (Refer to Jacking. Section II.)
2. Roll the carpet back off the front center access panel by removing carpet attaching screws
3 Remove front center access panel by removing attaching screws. On airplanes with Serial Nos
24-4783. 24-4804 and up. remove the retraction transmission access door located between the two front seats
4. Disconnect transmission motor electrical leads by sliding back the protective covering and
uncoupling the quick disconnect terminals
5 Place the emergency retraction release handle (18) in the full up position
6. Disconnect the transmission retraction spring (23) located on the left side of the transmission
housing on models PA-24-180 and PA-24-250. Serial Nos 24-3558 and up: and PA-24-260 and PA-24-400
On models PA-24-180 and PA-24-250. Serial Nos 24-1 to 24-3557 the retraction spring (22) is located on
the right side of the transmission assembly connected to the brake solenoid brackets
7 Remove the cotter pin, washer and pin attaching the transmission housing to the mounting
bracket
8 Remove the transmission assembly from the well.
6-44. Cleaning, Inspection And Repair Of Gear Retraction Transmission. (Refer to Figure 6-13 )
a. Remove the six screws attaching the transmission cover (7) to transmission housing and remove
the cover noting the position of the mounting lug.
b Wipe all old grease from the transmission housing and from the actuator screw (4) and screw nut
(3)
c Check the gear release arm ( I ) and ascertain that it will snap lock in place and will require a load of
6 to 12 pounds applied at the end of the arm to release. Adjust by spreading or compressing the arm sides at
the round head rivets to obtain proper fit (early PA-24-180 and PA-24-250 airplanes did not have a snap lock
arm and requires a strap to hold the arm in place) Once the arm is released. ascertain that there is no binding
through its travel.
ISSUED: 8/18/72 LANDING GEAR AND BRAKE SYSTEM
1J9