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Main gear doors

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robinfly(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:29 am Post subject: Main gear doors

I have a 54 E35.  For the last 4 to 5 flights, during pre-flights,  I have noticed my main gear doors did not close completely  sometimes.  One time, they were open about 1/2 inch.  But  they closed completely after my last flight last weekend.  What  are they trying to tell me?  Can I safely operate my Bonanza until  next annual which is Jan 07?

 [quote][b]

thender(at)adelphia.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:49 am Post subject: Main gear doors

Hi Robin-

  

 Hopefully the more experienced folks will chime  in.  But let me get the ball rolling.

  

 Sounds like you may have a tired  motor.

  

 On the ground, you should be able to turn the  handle 1/8 to 1/4 turn before it hits the stop.  If you can turn it more  than that, it is stopping prematurely and that explains why the inner doors  aren't closed all the way.

  

 In flight, you can do the same test with the  gear  up.  Just turn the opposite direction.  The same 1/8 to 1/4  turn applies.

  

 Verify that 1/8 to 1/4 is the proper tolerance for  your airplane.  I believe that applies to all the 12V airplanes (except for  maybe the straight-35's) but double check.

  

 You might also time the extension and retraction  process;  for the 12V airplanes I think normal is 10 sec or so.  Much  beyond that is also an indication of a tired motor.

  

 I don't have any good advice about flying the plane  with a tired motor, if in fact that is what it turns out to be.  It would  make me nervous, but I'm paranoid. 

  

 Good shops for overhauling the motor are Aircraft  Systems in Rockford, ILL and Cruiseair in Ramona, CA.

  

 Again, hopefully folks that have more experience  than I will chime in.

  

 -Tom H.

 Ventura, CA

  

  

 [quote]   ---

brucebell74(at)sbcglobal.
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:21 am Post subject: Main gear doors

For some reason the landing gear motor is shutting  off too soon. I would put it on jacks and get it checkout before anymore  flights. Something is out of rig!

 Bruce Bell

 A35 Bonanza 1730 N723B

 [quote]   ---

cook.thom(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 4:18 pm Post subject: Main gear doors

Robin,

   It may not be the motor at all .  Have you checked the rods under the front seats that connect there.  You can have as much as 3/4 inch of play on the closing if they are not adjusted and tightened properly.

 Thom



On 10/10/06, Bruce Bell <brucebell74(at)sbcglobal.net (brucebell74(at)sbcglobal.net)> wrote:[quote]        For some reason the landing gear motor is shutting  off too soon. I would put it on jacks and get it checkout before anymore  flights. Something is out of rig!

 Bruce Bell

 A35 Bonanza 1730 N723B

 [quote]   ---

Gary Strong

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 6

Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 6:48 pm Post subject: Main gear doors

Robin,  

There is lots of info on the American Bonanza site on this issue.  I had the same problem and it was a tired gear motor.  There should never be a reason to adjust the linkage on a Bonanza.  If the parts are worn  in the linkage replace them, but I believe 99% of the time it’s a tired gear motor.  I wouldn’t wait to replace it.  While we can definitely lower the gear manually, its not much fun to do this in IMC!  

   

Gary  

         

  

From: owner-beech-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-beech-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Robin Hou

 Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 1:26 PM

 To: Beech Matronics

 Subject: Main gear doors  

  

   

I have a 54 E35.  For the last 4 to 5 flights, during pre-flights, I have noticed my main gear doors did not close completely sometimes.  One time, they were open about 1/2 inch.  But they closed completely after my last flight last weekend.  What are they trying to tell me?  Can I safely operate my Bonanza until next annual which is Jan 07?   	  Quote: 	
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_________________
Gary S.
1973 B55 Baron
N761T

bonanza(at)vodamail.co.za
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 9:55 pm Post subject: Main gear doors

I had the same thing, it just got inconsistent and then the gear started taking longer to extend.Finally one

day, select gear down, and nothing. That got my attention! Uneventful manual extension, and later on the jacks

the gear worked ok, but slow. Pulled the motor and it was full of carbon dust. Rebuilt-end of problem; retract

speed much better and trouble free ops since then.



Good luck

Bob Verwey

A35 ZU-DLW 



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thender(at)adelphia.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:04 pm Post subject: Main gear doors

Hi Bob-



I think timing the gear extension/retraction process from time to time is a 

good diagnostic tool.  I try to do it before and after our annual 

inspections, and again at about the midway point between annuals.



Ours has consistently been between about 9.5 seconds (12 V Debbie).  I try 

to check the free-play in the transmission at the same time.



Hopefully that will help identify a motor or rigging issue before it becomes 

a problem.  But so far, nothing has changed, which is good news!



-Tom H.

Ventura, CA

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bonanza(at)vodamail.co.za
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 10:55 pm Post subject: Main gear doors

Tom,

Lets face it, these airplanes are talking to us if we would just listen!Anything to avoid the "pucker factor"

<g>

  Bob Verwey

 	  Quote: 	
		   A35 ZU-DLW


	




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aeroads(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 4:35 am Post subject: Main gear doors

The gear motor does grind up a lot  of carbon dust     I clean mine every year and have had  to clean a few in the Out Islands of the   Bahamas       Its an easy job to pull the  passenger's seat, disconnect the wires (mark for reinstallation), back out the  three motor mounting machine screws, pull the motor toward the rear, catch the  first gear.     With the motor removed and on the bench,  remove the black plastic brush holder, pull the brushes.     Remove the long motor assembly screws allowing disassembly of the  motor.     Finally clean everything with a tooth  brush and lacquer thinner      If you go thru this  ritual periodically you will have a more reliable gear and fewer motor  overhauls     and operating with a dirty motor is  inadvisable    Murray Randall

   [quote][b]

robinfly(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:22 am Post subject: Main gear doors

Thanks.  I will check free play on the ground, and put it on jacks  to time retract & check free play again.  Will report back  what I find.  Robin

   [quote][b]

thender(at)adelphia.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 9:50 am Post subject: Main gear doors

Robin-

  

 Do the retract/extend timing in the air as aero  loads can affect the timing.  

  

 You can check the free play in the air  too. Just remember which way to turn for the up and down  checks.

  

 One issue with ground swings is that the system  voltage can affect motor performance.  In the air, loads are higher due to  air forces but motor voltage is higher too;  probably ~14V vs ~12V on the  ground (battery only)

  

 Some folks will argue that the lower voltage  offsets the air loads.  But the best place to verify the free play and the  timing is in the air.

  

 My $.02.

  

 -TH

 [quote]   ---

bonanza(at)vodamail.co.za
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:19 pm Post subject: Main gear doors

Murray I would have thought the thinner might damage certain insulating materials?

Bob Verwey

A35 



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