Piper COMANCHE PA-24-180 Service Manual page 56

6.
With the oleo strut fully compressed, reinstall the core in the filler plug and the plug in the str
housing and tighten.
Second Method:
I.
Remove the filler plug from the top of the nose gear strut housing or at the top inboard side
of the main gear housing.
2.
Raise the strut piston tube until it is fully compressed.
3
Pour fluid from a clean container through the filler opening until it reaches the bottom of the
filler plug hole. (Air pressure type oil container may be helpful.)
4.
Install the filler plug finger tight, and extend and compress the strut two or three times to
remove air from the housing.
5.
Remove the filler plug. raise the strut to full compression and fill with fluid if needed.
6.
With the oleo strut fully compressed, reinstall filler plug and tighten.
e.
With the airplane raised, retract and extend the gear strut several times to ascertain that the strut
actuates freely. The weight of the gear fork and wheel should extend the strut.
f.
Clean off overflow of fluid and inflate the strut as described in Paragraph 2-35.
g.
Check that fluid is not leaking around the strut piston at the bottom of the housing.
2-35. Inflating Oleo Struts. After making certain that an oleo strut has sufficient fluid, attach a strut pump
to the air valve and inflate the oleo strut. The gear struts should be inflated to provide correct extension with
normal static load. (Empty weight plus full fuel and oil.) (Refer to Figure 2-13.) Rock the airplane several
times to ascertain that the gear settles back to the correct strut position. (If a strut pump is not available. the
airplane may be raised and line pressure from a high pressure air system used. Lower the airplane and while
rocking it, let air out from the valve to bring the strut down to the proper extension.) Before capping the valve.
check for valve core leakage.
2-36. Brake System.
2-37. Servicing 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 or air in the system. Instructions for filling the reservoir
are given in Paragraph 2-38. When necessary to repair any of the brake system components. or to bleed
system. refer to Section VI.
2-38. Filling Brake System Reservoir. (Refer to Figures 2-14 and 2-15.) The brake system reservoir should
be filled to the level marked on the reservoir. with the fluid specified in Table 11-1.
2-39. Draining Brake System. To drain the brake system, connect a hose to the bleeder fitting on the bottom
of each main gear brake assembly and place the ends of the hoses in suitable containers. Open the bleeders
and slowly pump the brake lever or brake pedals until fluid ceases to flow. To clean the brake system, flush
with denatured alcohol.
REVISED: 4/3/78
1C8
HANDLING AND SERVICIP
PIPER COMANCHE SERVICE MANUAL