FlyingMonkey Posted August 6, 2013 Report Posted August 6, 2013 Hey all... I pulled my wheel pants for the first time today. Everything looked okay, except my left tire is showing excessive wear on the outside, probably due to my tendency to land left of the centerline (not enough right rudder?)... The question is, do I need to go ahead and change it, or should I keep flying on it until just before my long Michigan trip? The picture: http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj277/MrMorden00/image_zpsbf43880f.jpg How hard is it to change tires? I have the Marc brakes and 4.00-6 tires. How the heck would I jack the plane to do it?
Ed Cesnalis Posted August 6, 2013 Report Posted August 6, 2013 That's some kinda ugly! Give her new tires. I don't jack the plane, I walk out to the wing tip and pick it up by hand. Then I have someone stick a bottle jack under the wheel.
FlyingMonkey Posted August 6, 2013 Author Report Posted August 6, 2013 Cool. Any special trick to things with the brakes, etc?
Ed Cesnalis Posted August 6, 2013 Report Posted August 6, 2013 I'll let someone respond that actually gets their hands dirty. In the meantime I will guess that the you leave 1/2 the wheel mounted split the wheel change tube and tire re-assemble.
sandpiper Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 Yep, replace very soon. If those are original, and I suspect they are, you will be amazed how thin they are and how weak the sidewalls are. One picture reminded me-when you call Roger find out how to check if your BRS firing pin is properly connected and make sure the 'chute risers are from the airframe are connected to the BRS. Easy things to check.
FlyingMonkey Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Posted August 7, 2013 Do I need to take them to a shop for balancing, or is there an easier way? I'll give you a call Roger, thanks. How many landings do tires typically last? This plane only has 120hrs.
Ed Cesnalis Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 Those Aero trainers don't last too long but they look right which is way important. If you don't like the economy next time look into some Monsters. Your tires are all cracked, did they wear because the rubber is failing? Number of landings has to do with how you land and taxi and such.
FlyingMonkey Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Posted August 7, 2013 Well, until I get better I am probably landing harder than I should. Combined with my off centerline landings and probable side loads, that will accelerate wear. Though the right tire looks very good with even wear...I hope I don't have something misaligned or bent on the left side.
Al Downs Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 Use this link to go to a thread that discusses flats and how to jack the plane up. If you have the hole on the back side of the wheel mount then you can use one stands like I made to jack it up by yourself. I carry one in the plane in case I get a flat away from home. http://ctflier.com/index.php?/topic/1107-flat-tires/page__hl__flats
josjonkers Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 Hey all... I pulled my wheel pants for the first time today. Everything looked okay, except my left tire is showing excessive wear on the outside, probably due to my tendency to land left of the centerline (not enough right rudder?)... The question is, do I need to go ahead and change it, or should I keep flying on it until just before my long Michigan trip? The picture: I doubt in the short time you have flown this, you caused this type of wear. I would not even fly with this , to me they look completely worn. My guess is these are 400-6 6ply. I would highly recommend the 400-6 8ply and they last for hundreds of hours and are much sturdier and do not wear much. If you do go with this make sure to increase the tre pressure to 40psi to avoid slippage on braking between tube and main tire and subsequently tear off valve stem. Changing the tire is easy once you remove the one half of the split drum. Make sure to deflate the tire before splitting the drum! Good luck!
FlyingMonkey Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Posted August 7, 2013 Hey jonkers, I already ordered the 6 ply based on others' recommendations, but if they wear fast I will try the 8s next time around.
FastEddieB Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 I have a balancer if you need it. Tire talc is also a good idea. Baby powder is a golden oldie substitute. You probably will want to inspect and grease the wheel bearings. And cotter keys should never be reused. You really should try to find someone who's done this before to guide you through it the first time.
Doug G. Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 Desser sends a packet of tire talc with your order, "free!"
Tom Baker Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 With the Marc wheels if you have the brake disk removed you can balance pretty close with the wheel on the axle. The bearings have to be in good shape to do this.
FlyingMonkey Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Posted August 7, 2013 Yes, I have new leakguard tubes coming. Bearings are probably okay, there's only 120 hangared hours on the airplane, but I can check them. I'm going to call Roger and get the skinny on how to do all this, I'm not going to do it blind. That said, I have assembled and changed airplane wheels before, including packing bearings. Balancing them properly is the only part I'm kind of fuzzy on.
Jim Meade Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 Get yourself three bolts about 3/4" longer than the one's holding the rims together. Use those instead of clamps to squeeze the rims together until the OEM bolts will fit. Much simpler and neater and cheaper.
FastEddieB Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 When you remove the rotor, check the pins it rides on. Mine got corroded to the point the rotor could no freely float: I wire brushed off the corrosion, and now make it a monthly ritual to clean and lube them lightly with disk brake lubricant on a Q-tip. Allowing them to continue in this condition may have caused the ovalling of the rotor holes referenced in another thread. BTW. here's my balancing setup:
FastEddieB Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 Just my experience, but... ...with just enough air in the tubes to give them some "shape", I've never pinched a tube. I sprinkle some talc in the tire and mix it around, put some air in the tube, and that seems to hold it clear of the rim halves. I was also taught to slightly overinflate the tire once the halves are together, then take all the air out, and then refill back to specs. This may be a holdover from when there is a bead to seat, but it may also work to smooth out any wrinkles. And Roger, I did lightly sand the rotor holes - probably just enough to remove to corrosion, not noticeably enlarge them. So far, so good.
FlyingMonkey Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Posted August 7, 2013 I used Eddie's "inflate slightly" method with the tubes last time I did an aircraft wheel assembly, it works well.
FlyingMonkey Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Posted August 7, 2013 Based on the picture I posted, so folks think I can safely keep running that tire for a few hours until I get the new one on, or is that a safety of flight issue that should ground my airplane?
FlyingMonkey Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Posted August 7, 2013 Thanks CT. A friend of mine flies until he sees cords showing, that seems way too worn. I'm just trying to get a feel for what is "worn" vs "unsafe".
sandpiper Posted August 7, 2013 Report Posted August 7, 2013 If that is the original tire, and I suspect it is, it had no substance even when it was new. No it's disaster. You'll see what I mean when you get it off.. How long until your new ones arrive? Can you expedite?
FlyingMonkey Posted August 7, 2013 Author Report Posted August 7, 2013 I'm hoping to have them by the weekend. The one on the other side looks fine, plenty of tread and none of the obvious side wear the left one has. My plan is to change them both and keep the right one as an emergency spare.
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