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FlyboyTR
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama
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 Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 11:02 am Post subject: Vixen (series 5) Cracked Engine Mount |
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My Vixen has 409 hours total. On Monday I did an oil change and during inspection noted the firewall engine mount was cracked in two places. The Vixen is a nose dragger. There are two tubes that come from the engine mount down to the nose gear suspension support. That area also bolts through the firewall. The cracks were just above the weld on both down-tubes.
During repair, a gusset plate was installed between the two down-tubes and a small rib gusset was also added to allow another welding point between the tubes/gusset and their attach point. It was decided upon completion that the repaired area is "now" much stronger than the original configuration.
I have also found that if the nosewheel swivels easily, it will shake violently when landing on a hard surface runway (probably also does it on grass a little bit...you just can't tell it!). I tighten this part regularly so it does not swivel freely...although this does make ground steering a little more difficult. This could have been a causal factor...or landing frequently on rough grass strips.
I have attached a few pictures. I encourage all Vixen owners to inspect this part ASAP.
Travis 
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_________________
Travis Rayner
Mobile, AL
Skystar Vixen, N-789DF
Continental IO-240, Prince P-Tip Prop
ADI-II Autopilot
AnyWhereMap Navigation with weather
www.enotam.net (My Flying Info Website) |
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jdmcbean(at)kitfoxaircraf
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject: Vixen (series 5) Cracked Engine Mount |
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Travis,
Good catch.. Be sure to check the nose gear strut as well...
There ARE probably a couple things at play here...
One..
The Nose Gear Fork should be tightened so that a minimum of 13 lbs
of pressure needs to be applied to start the pivot of the fork. In other
words... With the tail down and the nose in the air... If you were to grab
the aft of the tire is should take a minimum of 13 lbs before the tire
starts to pivot. This will seem very tight... but much less and it will
shimmy.
Two..
Refer to the manual for the nose gear pivot installation.. A common
issue is not allowing for enough free movement of the piston and it will get
on a bind.. possibly cracking the nose gear strut or the mount.
Suggest referring to Service Bulletin #58 for more info.
Fly Safe !!
John & Debra McBean
Ph 208.337.5111
www.kitfoxaircraft.com
"The Sky is not the Limit... It's a Playground"
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FlyboyTR
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 215
Location: Mobile, Alabama
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject: Re: Vixen (series 5) Cracked Engine Mount |
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John,
Thanks for the reply. I find that I have to frequently (20 hours or so...) make an adjustment to the nose wheel pivot to keep it under tension. One click of the castellated nut is too tight, the other is too loose. I have two different thickness shims I use as needed. Is there a better solution to maintaining the rotational tension?
I have reviewed bulletin number 58. Thanks for the heads-up...don't remember reading that one! I have about 5/8" vertical clearance/freeplay in the nose wheel pivot assembly. However, when it's hot (motor been running/flying) there is no freeplay at all. ...I assume it is from the rubber/elastomer puck/spring swelling when it gets hot.
I also noted the stainless steel friction washers had been digging into the pivot assembly center rod. I lubed this when I put things back together and it felt a lot smoother. I am concerned about continued wear between the stainless and the steel.
Travis
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_________________
Travis Rayner
Mobile, AL
Skystar Vixen, N-789DF
Continental IO-240, Prince P-Tip Prop
ADI-II Autopilot
AnyWhereMap Navigation with weather
www.enotam.net (My Flying Info Website) |
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jdmcbean(at)kitfoxaircraf
Guest
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| Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 2:52 pm Post subject: Vixen (series 5) Cracked Engine Mount |
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Travis,
It may be time to change the washers and elastomers... There are
also the spring tension washers for the fork.. they may be worn out as
well.. contact us off-list.
Fly Safe !!
John & Debra McBean
Ph 208.337.5111
www.kitfoxaircraft.com
"The Sky is not the Limit... It's a Playground"
--
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kitfoxs6(at)gmail.com
Guest
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| Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject: Vixen (series 5) Cracked Engine Mount |
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Same as mine Kitfox S-6 912 S
760 hrs
Alberto Barba
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