B-25 Drag Link Removal... Any Suggestions?

[The Inspector]

So is Wintergreen (ask your pharmacist it's used to kill off the nasty taste in liquid medicines) a teeny speck of rust will cause this sort of thing, and I mean teeny-or a piece of sand or grit

Dennison, you're one sick puppy, I LIKE YOU!!!

[skymstr02]

Mouse Milk is wonderous !!!! I just haven't figured out how they milk all those meeces to get all those bottles of the stuff Guess it takes patience just like it takes to actually use the solution......soaking for a bit of time.

Yeah, and if you have cold fingers, she'll kick the pail over and you have to start all over again!

[cooper9411]

How many fleas does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

two, the trick is getting them inside.

[Coert Munk]

There's one expert organization available: just contact Aero Trader, Chino CA.
The Bendix MLG manual describes "what to do", but it's not an easy job.
In really do hope there are enough drag arms available.....
Kind regards, Coert

[sdennison]

Are these drag arms damaged once removed? What is the assembly process? Thanks, just curious ya know.

[Stoney]

Saw a half dozen new ones at Aero Traders last Sat.

[Lynn Allen]

I'm told now that these things either slip right out or they're a major pain in the rear! It is our right gear that is being the pain. Yesterday, we wrapped it in dry ice and filled the center cavity, then after a good cold soak we heated the top of the strut and pulled out the hammer. It didn't budge. At that point, I made arrangements to take it to our machine shop owning member. We're going to start Friday with liquid nitrogen and see where we go from there. We will not stop until it is out! Since we were having this much trouble, I figured we'd just pull the other strut and I'd take both of them. Why make two trips? We got it out of the plane fairly quickly. As we were lowering the strut, by hand onto a pallet, the *()$#&^% drag link slipped right out! Oh well, that's one strut that will be back in the plane in a day or so... More Friday night.

Guess you needed to say please first. I was amazed when I was in the wheel well years ago to find links for the gear with Chevy Bow ties on them. Wait until its time to change that oil bypass valve in the wing...

[K5DH]

Question for the WIX braintrust...
Since this issue first came along, I've been wondering about the availability of spares. Assuming the worst possible case -- that all of the flying B-25s need to have both drag links replaced -- will there be enough spares to go around? If not, where will they come from? I suppose that new ones could be manufactured. All it would take would be "cubic dollars" and finding someone who'd be willing to take on the potential liability issues. Are the drag links cast or machined? I assume they're made of some kind of aluminum alloy?

[C45 driver]

Question for the WIX braintrust...
Since this issue first came along, I've been wondering about the availability of spares. Assuming the worst possible case -- that all of the flying B-25s need to have both drag links replaced -- will there be enough spares to go around? If not, where will they come from? I suppose that new ones could be manufactured. All it would take would be "cubic dollars" and finding someone who'd be willing to take on the potential liability issues. Are the drag links cast or machined? I assume they're made of some kind of aluminum alloy?

The link is forged steel, machined to spec. Considering the failure rate from current inspections, there are not enough spares for the current fleet. Aero Trader has plans to produce the part as necessary, but such a short run - tens, not hundreds - is not gonna be cheap. I wonder if the SB will affect participation at Dayton this year?

Be assured, we will be practicing our landing techniques to minimize strain on the part!

Carry on!
Mark

[Perry R]

Are these drag arms damaged once removed? What is the assembly process? Thanks, just curious ya know.

It depends how stuck they are. If you have to remove them they are written off any way, the manual describes that any repair on the drag arm is not possible.
Assembly should be very easy after thourough cleaning. The trunion pin is the only tool to hold it on its position in the gear.

[sdennison]

Dumb question, why do they go bad? Stress from landing cycles? Was this routine? What happens if they fail?

[Fearless Tower]

Dumb question, why do they go bad?

When these things were designed (1939) and most of the parts manufactured in the early 40's, no one was thinking about the airplane still flying 70 years later.

What happens if they fail?

The affected landing gear folds up.....in the opposite direction it was designed (forward) as happened with Panchito.

[b29flteng]

I heard Aero Traders is developing a repair for the fitting. Can anyone confirm this?

[sdennison]

Waht is the failure of the part? Cracks? Any close up pictures to share?

[Yak50]

Link to Mandatorey Service Bulletin:
http://www.warbirds-eaa.org/news/2012%20-%2001_03%20-%20Service%20Bulletin%20-%20B-25%20Landing%20Gear%20Shock%20Strut%20Inspections.html#TopOfPage