Piper PA-28-161, Maintenance Manual

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PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.
PA-28-161, WARRIOR III
MAINTENANCE MANUAL
PAGE 5
Nov 30/06 1I1
12-10-00
3. Landing Gear
The landing gear consists of tires, brakes and oleo strut assemblies. These should be inspected for
scored piston tubes, possible hydraulic fluid leakage and security and condition of all connection points.
Check the brake linings for wear and frayed edges, and brake discs for scoring. Replace if necessary.
Minor servicing is described in the following paragraphs. For detailed services and overhaul instructions,
refer to Chapter 32.
A. Servicing Oleo Struts
CAUTION: DO NOT EXCEED SPECIFIED TUBE EXPOSURES.
Air-oil struts are incorporated in each landing gear oleo to absorb the shock resulting from the
impact of the wheels on the runway during landing. To obtain proper oleo action, the nose gear oleo
strut must have approximately 3.25 ± .25 inches of piston tube exposed, while the main gear struts
require approximately 4.50 ± .5 inches of tube exposure.
WARNING: DO NOT RELEASE AIR BY REMOVING THE STRUT VALVE CORE OR FILLER
PLUG. DEPRESS THE VALVE CORE PIN UNTIL STRUT CHAMBER PRESSURE
HAS DIMINISHED.
CAUTION: DIRT AND FOREIGN PARTICLES ACCUMULATE AROUND THE FILLER PLUGS OF
THE LANDING GEAR STRUTS. THEREFORE, BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE
THESE PLUGS, THE TOPS OF THE STRUTS SHOULD BE CLEANED WITH
COMPRESSED AIR AND/OR WITH A DRY SOLVENT.
These measurements are taken with the airplane sitting on a level surface under normal static load
(empty weight of airplane plus full fuel and oil). If the strut has less tube exposed than that
prescribed, determine whether it needs air or oil as follows:
(1) Raise airplane on jacks.
(2) With strut extended remove air valve cap at top of housing.
(3) Depress valve core to allow air to escape from strut piston until it is fully compressed.
(4) Let foam from air-oil mixture settle.
(5) Determine if oil is visible up to bottom of filler plug hole.
(6) If oil is visible at bottom of hole:
(a) Check valve for unsatisfactory condition.
(b) Add air per instructions in inflating oleo struts.
(7) If oil is below bottom of hole:
(a) Check oleo for leaks and other unsatisfactory conditions.
(b) Add oil per instructions in filling nose gear oleo strut or filling main gear oleo strut, below.
B. Filling Nose Gear Oleo Strut
To fill the nose gear oleo strut with hydraulic fluid (MIL-H-5606), whether it be only the addition of a
small amount or if the unit has been completely emptied and will required a large amount, it should
be filled as follows:
(1) Raise the airplane on jacks until the nose wheel is completely clear of the ground.
(Refer to 7-10-00.)
(2) Place a pan under the gear to catch spillage.
(3) If not previously accomplished, remove the engine cowling and release air from the strut
housing chamber by removing the cap from the air valve and depressing the valve core.