Landing gear boxes

Ask Questions and Offer Advice Related to the Cessna 120 & 140 Type

Moderators: 6643, 6183, V529

Forum rules
You must be a member of the Cessna 120-140 Association in order to post new topics, reply to existing topics, or search for information on this forum. Use the "Join" link in the red menu bar.
8426
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Mar 17, 2019 3:31 pm
Name: Rick M
Aircraft Type:
Occupation-Interests:
Contact:

Re: Landing gear boxes

Post by 8426 »

Josh,
Yes I bought this 120 last month in Georgia. The prebuy consisted of a flashlight inspection of what could be easily accessed, and a pull through of the prop to check the compression. The guy that performed the inspection was paid what he was worth. Nothing, he did it for free. It was me. Although I thought I looked it over fairly well, I missed the gear problem. If I were to guess, a lot of others missed them for many years also. As you can see from one of the photos, a mirror is required to find them. So, if you are in the market, and are worried about finding cracks, you should consider this one. I have already found the cracks for you. (I am trying to maintain a sense of humor through this)
Rick
User avatar
8413
Posts: 78
Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2019 3:11 pm
Location: Bonney Lake, WA
Name: Josh C
Aircraft Type: 140A
Occupation-Interests: Telecommunications
Contact:

Re: Landing gear boxes

Post by 8413 »

Rick,
I thought it looked familiar. I was interested in that one too, but it was too far away. I hope you are able to find a way to get her fixed and back in the air.
Josh
8376
Posts: 32
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2019 12:07 am
Location: Anchorage, AK
Name: James K
Aircraft Type: 140
Occupation-Interests:
Contact:

Re: Landing gear boxes

Post by 8376 »

Any resolution to you gear boxes?

I am currently starting the removal process due to cracks in the welds where the gear enters the box and several below where the brake line runs through (both sides)... unknown how long they have actually been there.

If anybody has removal pictures or recommendations that would have made it easier I am open to hearing all suggestions.
8376
Posts: 32
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2019 12:07 am
Location: Anchorage, AK
Name: James K
Aircraft Type: 140
Occupation-Interests:
Contact:

Re: Landing gear boxes

Post by 8376 »

Can the 140 gear boxes be welded or have they been heat treated?

They will be coming out in the next few days and just trying to determine if they can be repaired or if they need to be replaced.

Thanks,

Jimmy
V529
Posts: 552
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: Michigan
Name: Victor G
Aircraft Type: C-120
Occupation-Interests: Work on airplanes till the cows come home..........they're still out.
Contact:

Re: Landing gear boxes

Post by V529 »

As best as I can see from the reference info, just weld them up and re-install.
User avatar
6597
Posts: 331
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: Vancouver WA KVUO
Name: David Sbur
Aircraft Type: '46 140 0-200A
Occupation-Interests: Agriculture
Contact:

Re: Landing gear boxes

Post by 6597 »

Tig weld, rosebud to heat/stress relieve, sandblast, zinc chromate. I recall only one rivet hole was out of alignment when we put it all back together.
Attachments
gearboxweldingA.JPG
gearboxweldingA.JPG (20.5 KiB) Viewed 4128 times
8376
Posts: 32
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2019 12:07 am
Location: Anchorage, AK
Name: James K
Aircraft Type: 140
Occupation-Interests:
Contact:

Re: Landing gear boxes

Post by 8376 »

Sounds great I appreciate it... the floor came out today and it’s amazing how much debris was cleaned out after all the years of service. The mud gobbers and bees really made a home at some point many many years ago.
8376
Posts: 32
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2019 12:07 am
Location: Anchorage, AK
Name: James K
Aircraft Type: 140
Occupation-Interests:
Contact:

Re: Landing gear boxes

Post by 8376 »

Attached are the cracks that I have where the brake line comes through the box on each side of the plane. Any thought as to if it needs to be repaired or can be monitored.
Attachments
00EB21A8-C26D-4CE6-82AA-11EE8B5A0394.jpeg
00EB21A8-C26D-4CE6-82AA-11EE8B5A0394.jpeg (25.52 KiB) Viewed 4101 times
21EDF275-F9EA-45F1-9346-D4D8D27E3F47.jpeg
21EDF275-F9EA-45F1-9346-D4D8D27E3F47.jpeg (29.04 KiB) Viewed 4101 times
2066
Posts: 600
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Location: North Carolina
Name: Mac Forbes
Aircraft Type: '46 Cessna 140
Occupation-Interests: Retired - Current 120-140 Assoc. NC Rep.
Contact:

Re: Landing gear boxes

Post by 2066 »

James K. wrote: "...needs to be repaired or can be monitored...".(?)

FWIW, I'm aware of a couple that have been monitored for several years after having been discovered (...really hard to see, as you know). On both aircraft (120 & a 140), there's been absolutely no change over the years and hours. Those small "panels" ("Angle - Support"...maybe .025 stamping?) were added on later SNs (14163>), but were apparently(?) not "needed" in earlier years, and for some reason they seem prone to flexing and cracking until they "settle down"(?) on some aircraft. IAs involved with these two were comfortable with monitoring. Again, FWIW -- with your floor removed you're getting pretty close to them, so a "repair" may make sense if now accessible. It's hard to see from pic, but one does appear to be a bit corroded, also(?). Mac
8224
Posts: 95
Joined: Tue May 01, 2018 7:00 am
Name:
Aircraft Type:
Occupation-Interests:
Contact:

Re: Landing gear boxes

Post by 8224 »

Rick, I am in the process of restoring a ‘47 C-140 and had to remove both of the steel gear boxes and repair them. I have some pictures and some experience so if I can help let me know. Steve Hawley, South Carolina
stevehawl@windstream.net
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 19 guests