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Rick Argente, Jerry Grimonnpre, et al,

The problem with the machine screw clearance on the NLG door is a
continuing problem which is caused by the plans recommended method for
installing the hinge. This dates from the original plans for the
L200/L235 which shows installing the hinge to the side of the NLG tunnel
with the hinge pin barrel inboard into the NLG well. This worked fine
for clearance in the original rubber doughnut trailing arm NLG fork, but
the wider oleo strut NLG fork lacks adequate clearance. Hence the
problem.
My solution is to either use Jerry's method which is Plan C for me or
try Plan B  first as follows:
The manual plans require reversing the hinge halves and installing per
the drawings with the hinge barrel inboard the NLG fork. This is the
same method used on the MLG inboard doors to get a flush fit of the
door, but a flush fit is impossible on the NLG door since in rests on
the fuselage skin. By reversing the hinge pieces and attaching to the
tunnel side with the barrel hinge outboard; the NLG door portion is
displaced 3/8 inch outboard
which is roughly the height of the anchor nuts. Since you must remove
the old hinge material from the tunnel to reverse it anyway, it is
possible to get approximately an additional 1/8 inch by grinding back
the hinge area of the tunnel and applying 2 BID so that the hinge is
flush with the tunnel surface.   Use micro to fair in the door and hinge
per plans.
If you wish to demonstrated before removing/ installing hinge on your
pet project try the following; Clamp two hinge sections on the side of
an aluminum angle mounting one per plans and one per Plan B. Position
hinges in open mode to simulate the open gear door
and using your Mk1 eyeball or micrometer you can readily see the
increased spacing away from the edge.
This is obviously several hours work to retrofit but much less labor and
material than the aftermath of landing with a hung NLG with all that
expensive stuff firewall forward.
I wish I could say I figured this out first time around, but actually
Jerry and I came up with this while viewing the minimal clearance on my
project.
Jerry, are you going to Osh Kosh?

Happy landings
Doug Raupp


[Don't forget, the self-centering strut eliminates the problem once and
for all, and is probably one of those upgrades that folks should think
seriously about anyway.  I understand that all present struts are self-centering and would imagine that Lancair knows which kits included
that component.... there should be a cutoff serial number which defines the last non-centering strut which was delivered.  Perhaps they could
tell us what it is?          <Marv>          ]

LML homepage:   http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html