hey, just bought a 180 and it seems the gear is out of alignment (toe out), and tracks crooked down the runway. I am new to this owning an aircraft thing and not that i am going to do it i am getting my ame to do it but how hard is it to align gear on a 180 or i guess how long of a job is it for an ame?
thanks everyone
C-180 gear alignment
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Firefighter2143
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SeptRepair
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Re: C-180 gear alignment
If I remember correctly, there should be a procedure in the Maintenance manual and it involves using tapered shims under the base of the axle. First though, have the gear inspected for proper attachment. There are 2 stacks of shims that secure the leg against the "porkchop". I have seen these shims loose and allowed the leg to move a bit.
Re: C-180 gear alignment
A friend of mine owned an early serial 180 and the wheel alignment was out to lunch so he wore out a set of tires real quick plus the airplane was a bitch to land. I watched an AME do a proper alignment and that totally transformed the airplane.
There was not much in the way of parts required but it was a time consuming process. As mentioned, just shims. On the other hand I saw a Cessna 188 Agwagon with a problem that was caused by bent parts because the airplane ran off a road and ended up in a ditch. That was expensive. Biggest thing I saw was the requirement for space. The AME had to project a chalk line out from the wheels to a point in front of the airplane and then align the wheels with shims, both in 3 point and in level flight attitude with a certain weight in the airplane. If the hangar has a seam in the concrete, that will help. Just align the airplane on the seam. In this case, my friends airplane was not bent, it was just poorly switched over from floats to wheels. Hope this helps.
There was not much in the way of parts required but it was a time consuming process. As mentioned, just shims. On the other hand I saw a Cessna 188 Agwagon with a problem that was caused by bent parts because the airplane ran off a road and ended up in a ditch. That was expensive. Biggest thing I saw was the requirement for space. The AME had to project a chalk line out from the wheels to a point in front of the airplane and then align the wheels with shims, both in 3 point and in level flight attitude with a certain weight in the airplane. If the hangar has a seam in the concrete, that will help. Just align the airplane on the seam. In this case, my friends airplane was not bent, it was just poorly switched over from floats to wheels. Hope this helps.
Re: C-180 gear alignment
I have done many 140,170,180,185,188 etc alignments. There are many shimming combinations and you need a bunch of shims on hand to try different combinations. The shims are VERY expensive and none of the Cessna dealers in western Canada stock them. I'm fortunate that I have acquired a drawer full of shims over the past 25 years of business, so I can do an alignment without having to special order them. The gear legs can also be shimmed to correct a wing low issue also. With shims on hand, it can take 2-6 hours to do an alignment with wing leveling also.
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Jungle Jim
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Re: C-180 gear alignment
Guys,
I remember doing this job on my Dad's 180 and it went prety quick. We made a couple of grease sandwiches with aluminum plates with grease between them under each wheel. This eliminated any tendency for the tires to grab when the plane was put back on it's feet after installing the shims. We tied a string from the axle nut on one wheel to the other axle nut with the string going across the front of the tires. It was a simple job to use a carpenter's square along the side of the tire to the string. We shimmed until both tires were pointing straight.
Jim
I remember doing this job on my Dad's 180 and it went prety quick. We made a couple of grease sandwiches with aluminum plates with grease between them under each wheel. This eliminated any tendency for the tires to grab when the plane was put back on it's feet after installing the shims. We tied a string from the axle nut on one wheel to the other axle nut with the string going across the front of the tires. It was a simple job to use a carpenter's square along the side of the tire to the string. We shimmed until both tires were pointing straight.
Jim
Re: C-180 gear alignment
I've used large black garbage bags and some lubricant between them under the wheels. You've got toe in and out to check and the camber. The toe in and out, when out can make the airplane difficult to track straight during the landing. Either out will show up as wear to the inside or outside of the tire. As mentioned the wedges, and the casting that accepts the top portion of the gear needs a good look at. The bolt and nut that holds the gear in needs checking and all of those checks need to be done with the gear leg suspended.
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Firefighter2143
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Re: C-180 gear alignment
Looks like my mechanic got all the gear setup. Next question does anyone have experience with the kenmore stc for 8.5x6 on the 180? I have three bolt Cleveland. Does the stc need six bolt? It's a 1955 early model 180. Just put me on for curiosity sake and looks like they will rub the brake pads.
