Landing gear wedges

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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SKilbourn
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Landing gear wedges

Post by SKilbourn »

I'm looking for a source for the 0441115 wedges and the 0541105 shims, but I'm coming up dry except for used ones. Does anyone know of a source for these parts?
Thank you,
Stuart Kilbourn
N6303D 1948 C170 S/N 18015
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GAHorn
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by GAHorn »

'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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n2582d
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by n2582d »

Stuart,
There often is confusion when writing about landing gear shims. This is because the straight 170 and the 170A IPC show two sets of shims and the 170B has three different sets of landing gear shims. The earlier models have shims at each end of the gear. P/n 0541105, to adjust the height of the wingtip, is placed under the inboard end of the gear leg. Between the gear leg and the axle shims are added to adjust the camber and castor of the wheels. The 170B IPC shows an additional set of shims placed above the wedges on the outboard gear support.

Here Mark writes that the inboard shim is ".065 X 1.00 X 1.25 aluminum sheet stock with a .500 hole in the center."
Inboard shim p/n 0541105
Inboard shim p/n 0541105
One couldn't find an easier part to fabricate as an owner-produced part but if you've got more money than time it's available here.

Google "0441115" or, for the same part used on the L-19, "0641115", and you will find numerous examples of new and used landing gear wedges.
Wedge p/n 0441115 or p/n 0641116
Wedge p/n 0441115 or p/n 0641116
KRN usually has reasonable prices. The 170B uses this same wedge along with shims. These shims are available new from F. Atlee Dodge.
Gary
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GAHorn
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by GAHorn »

click to ENLARGE
click to ENLARGE
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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SKilbourn
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by SKilbourn »

Thank you for the input.

Whoever did the gear the last time tried to make their own wedges from angle iron and failed miserably, so I would really like to purchase the correct ones. I understand that it will be expensive but I would rather ensure that it's correct.

Is there any documentation that the 0441115 and the 0641115 are the same?
Stuart Kilbourn
N6303D 1948 C170 S/N 18015
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GAHorn
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by GAHorn »

SKilbourn wrote:Thank you for the input.

Whoever did the gear the last time tried to make their own wedges from angle iron and failed miserably, so I would really like to purchase the correct ones. I understand that it will be expensive but I would rather ensure that it's correct.

Is there any documentation that the 0441115 and the 0641115 are the same?
Cessna part numbers are based upon drawing numbers. While not foolproof… in the case of similar designs they are comparative. Think of the 170 being a “4” series model…. which advanced thru the A and B models to the “05” series….and the 180/182/185/L-19/O-1 commonly in the “06” series…
Therefore the “0451115” and the “0641115” are actually the drawing and part item “41115” which has applicability to both the “04” and the “06” model series.
(At least, that’s how one of our forebears explained it to me.)
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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SKilbourn
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by SKilbourn »

That makes sense. Thank you!
Stuart Kilbourn
N6303D 1948 C170 S/N 18015
Rick_Champagne
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by Rick_Champagne »

Hello,
Working on installing a set of B Lady legs in my A model. Had previously installed the P-Ponk kit with the A gear which was probably early B as there were dimples ,no hole and measured at .635. Added a .060 washer when installing P-Ponk. All fit good.
Removed wedges, and gear. New Legs measure at .700 which left me short and would not go in. Removed P-Ponk block and machined off .020.
Installed new gear leg .700, remachined P-ponk block and bolts. So far so good.
With the leg hanging and the main bolt tight, the wedges now sit way off the bracket. They slide in the gap a little , but seem to be a bit too far back. 3/4 ' or so.
I haven't tapped them yet, and I know you don't want them to bottom out , but I'm at the other end of that issue. Am I missing something here with this ?

Rick
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mschlender
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by mschlender »

Have 170B shims
Rick_Champagne
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by Rick_Champagne »

Are they a different part number than the 0441115 that I see in the A&B books?
I know there was additional shim in case they bottom out, but that is not my issue currently.

Regards,
Rick
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GAHorn
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by GAHorn »

You might want to visit with the Pponk folks. Steve usually has all the necessary info and parts to correct this sort of thing.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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c170b53
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by c170b53 »

A pic would help to make sure we get your slant (feeble attempt at humour). From memory and a reminder to myself to look harder at the shims this annual, I seem to remember the shims do not fully engage into the gap at the top of the casting but are probably at least 1/4” away from the outboard casting face. I think as long as you have removed any movement of the leg and can secure the wedges to the casting you’re probably good.
Jim McIntosh..
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
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c170b53
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by c170b53 »

Jim McIntosh..
1953 C170B S/N 25656
02 K1200RS
Rick_Champagne
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by Rick_Champagne »

In looking at Richard's posting and picture of the wedges, mine are close to being at the same distance away from the gear bracket but certainly a little more. I'll give them a light tap and see where that puts me. The 180 uses different wedges which Mcfarlane makes and they are .100 at the tapered edge. Not eligible for 170. 150 and 180 only.
I'll see if i can get a good picture to post. Thanks for the help .

RC
Rick_Champagne
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Re: Landing gear wedges

Post by Rick_Champagne »

Here are some pictures taken with the borescope . Magnified. All is tight with the gear leg hanging , no weight on it. PPonk block back in place after being machined for new clearance of B leg. I show one wedge with the B leg, (pic is upside down not wedge). I can barely fit a piece of .032 in the casting gap with the B leg. Leg is shown at mount and casting , top and bottom. The only thing I know for sure is B is .065 thicker. Lastly also show the A leg installed with wedges which sit at about 1/4" off casting and at .100 gap. This adds up to my increased .065 plus the .032 or so that is still there. The wedges are about .080 at their smallest edge. I'm glad my casting are not worn, and I know the wedges just keep the gear "snug' , but where to go from here? Make a .030 steel wedge, no wedge, etc?
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