SECTION Vll
LANDING GEAR AND BRAKE SYSTEM
7-1. INTRODUCTION. In this section are instructions for the removal, disassembly, inspection, overhaul and
installation of the various landing gear and brake system components used on the alignment of the nose gear, and
the repair and service of the brake system.
7-2. DESCRIPTION. The landing gear incorporated on this airplane is a fixed, tricycle type, fitted with two 600
x 6 main wheels and a 500 x 5 nose wheel. The landing gear struts are of the air-oil type. The nose gear,
steerable through a wide arc, enable a short turning radius in each direction. (For turning arc of the airplane, refer
to Table 11-1.). To aid in nose wheel and rudder centering there are styeering rods attached to the rudder pedal
torque tube assemblies. A shimmy dampener is also incorporated in the nose wheel steering mechanism.
The two main wheels are equipped with a single disc hydraulic brake assembly which is actuated by a hand
lever connected to a cylinder located below and behind the center of the instrument panel, or by individual
cylinders attached to each rudder pedal. The hand lever also doubles as a parking brake-and may be operated by
pulling back on the handle and pushing in on the button at the side of the handle. To disengage the parking brake,
pull back on the hand brake handle. A brake fluid reservoir is installed on the left forward face of the engine
firewall.
7-3. TROUBLESHOOTING. Troubles peculiar to the landing gear are listed in Table VII-I, at the back of this
section, along with their probable causes and suggested remedies. When troubleshooting the landing gear
system, it may be found that it is necessary to place the airplane on jacks. If so, refer to Jacking, Section 11.
7-4. LANDING GEAR SYSTEM.
7-5. NOSE LANDING GEAR.
7-6. DISASSEMBLY OF NOSE GEAR OLEO. (Refer to Figure 7-1.). The nose gear oleo strut assembly may
be removed and disassembled from the strut housing with the gear removed from or installed on the airplane.
a. Remove the lower engine cowling by the following procedure:
1. Release the cowl fasteners, two on each side and remove the top cowl.
2. Disconnect the electrical lead to the landing light at the quick disconnect at the inside of the bottom
cowl. Remove induction air hose between filter and airbox.
3. Remove the bottom cowl attaching screws from around its aft end and remove cowl.
b. Place airplane on jacks. (Refer to Jacking, Section 11.)
c. Place a drip pan under the nose gear to catch spillage.
d. To remove air from the strut, depress the air valve core pin found at the top of the strut assembly. After the
pressure in the strut chamber has diminished, remove the valve core pin, and attach a small hose to the air valve,
and drain the fluid by slowly compressing the piston tube. If it is desirable to extract more fluid from the strut
chamber, remove the filler plug, insert the siphon hose and drain fluid from the upper area of the housing.
secures the steering horn attaching bolt to the tube retainer nut. Then remove the steering horn attaching bolt and
the flat head pin, thus relieving the steering horn from the top of the strut housing.
PIPER AIRCRAFT
PA-28-161 CADET
AIRPLANE MAINTENANCE MANUAL
Issued: FEBRUARY. 28, 1989
LANDING GEAR AND BRAKE SYSTEM
1H20
