In a message dated 3/30/2005 8:37:50 A.M. Central Standard Time, goconnell@dodo.com.au writes:

Replacing the valve seemed to temporarily correct the problem but this was short lived. It has also been suggested by an Australian builder that perhaps the nose wheel precesses slightly with gyroscopic force during retraction and thus is at a slight angle different to when on the ground and thus does not depress the valve. I don't have the self centering nose wheel mod. The suggestion was to check the bearings for wear + play in the nose wheel. On landing, I have noticed some "judder" or shimmy during my roll out. This would be consistent with worn bearings would

Gerard,

 

I don't know about non-centering nose gear anymore as I switched to it as soon as possible.  Since they are of Aussie origination, maybe a drop ship to you would be a lot easier than somewhere in the Americas.

 

Any shimmy is of concern since, if it occurs at touchdown of 170 Kts, flutter destruction of everything that the nose gear is attached to is inevitable (and quick).  The nose wheel thru bolt should be tightened so that you cannot "spin" the nose tire by hand (off the ground of course) any more than 1/4 turn just in case the "judder" is caused by "loose" bearings..

 

Now remember that - the bail around the back of the wheel is to "guide" the wheel into the well should it not be straight. Regardless of the angle of the wheel slamming into the well, the "finger" on the retraction mechanism should always trip the sequence valve when the wheel is stowed and out of the way.  Then the door should close. Period. Mr Shattuck's explanatiion of the delamination possibility should be investigated.