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Like yours, my ball lock shackle pins were not quite long enough to properly engage.  Tapping the existing tubes to accommodate threaded bolts is the best solution.  Unfortunately, when I attempted this on my 320, I discovered that the tubes turned within their mountings defeating the tapping tool.  Rob Wolf, (RWolf99@aol.com), saw me tying down my landing gear at Oskosh this summer, and gave me the name of a supplier, Avibank Mfg., Burbank, CA. The part number is BL-SP.

As it turned out, I found some longer pins at the Fly Market at Oshkosk obviating the need for Rob's supplier.  I subsequently had stainless steel rings welded to stainless washers through which the pins are run.  Works fine, but I would not trust the them not to shear in high wind conditions. I sleep better when the plane's in a hangar.

Byron Fox
LNC 2
N3144C
Mill Valley, CA

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Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.