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From: "Greenbacks, UnLtd." <N4ZQ@verizon.net>
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Subject: Nose Gear Strut
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:34:32 -0500
Message-id: <80AD3401-6B3D-45C5-9076-673CBFB22C23@verizon.net>
To: List Lancair Mailing <lml@lancaironline.net>
MIME-version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v1085)

At the moment, my focus is intently riveted on my nose gear strut.
On the 10th landing back at KBVY yesterday, I felt (for the first time), =
a momentary vibration in my control stick. It was brief, maybe lasting 2 =
seconds. I have no idea what nose wheel shimmy feels like, perhaps one =
of you with experience in this area could elaborate.
So here's what I've got, my strut dates from 1995 and is not self =
centering. I've got 4ZQ up on jacks and and when turning the nose wheel =
from
side to side, there is no sound that might indicate air bubbles inside. =
I do notice that there is greater resistance when turning the wheel to =
the left as compared to turning to the right. There is some evidence of =
oil dampness on the strut. I have not yet removed the fork to see if =
there is any oil pooling up inside. At this point, I'm guessing that if =
this were the case, I would see it leaking down along the fork. I'm told =
by Ross at the factory, that the principle cause of nose wheel shimmy is =
a lack of fork oil, no oil....no dampening, etc.
So my plan is to release pressure from the strut, check the oil level =
and cycle the strut up/down until there is no sign of air bubbles. I got =
some 20 weight fork oil from the local Harley dealer. My plan with the =
strut extended and full of oil is to collapse the strut, close the =
valve, set the plane on its nose wheel and re-pressurise the strut, and =
go fly.

I'm all ears for nose strut advice/suggestions.

Angier Ames
N4ZQ