PA-28 Main Gear Rechrome or Scrap?

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PiperFan

Filing Flight Plan
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PiperFan
Any chance this could be rechromed or this this junkyard scrap? Strut not leaking.


IMG_7942.jpeg
 
There is (was ?) a Repair Station in Alabama that was authorized to do rechroming. IIRC damage into the base metal is scrap. Suggest you do not
have a bumper shop attempt this. The process can weaken it structurally and I’ve seen some that no longer fit.

My bud has a serviceable one if your efforts fall through.
PM me if needed.
 
PiperFan said:
Any chance this could be rechromed or this this junkyard scrap? Strut not leaking.
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As mentioned, there are several FAA repair stations with procedures to repair that type of damage based on their capability list. However, there maybe other unseen issues given the amount of damage shown especially if this aircraft is flying.
 
Magman said:
There is (was ?) a Repair Station in Alabama that was authorized to do rechroming. IIRC damage into the base metal is scrap. Suggest you do not
have a bumper shop attempt this. The process can weaken it structurally and I’ve seen some that no longer fit.

My bud has a serviceable one if your efforts fall through.
PM me if needed.
Click to expand...
Don’t think I can PM you because my account it new. Interested in the serviceable one. Can you PM me?
 
It looks like the Right side?

Donor is a 140; not sure all identical

I’ll check availability and get back to you.
 
Where are you located?
You can also check Beegles (KGXY) in Colorado for a new part or possible repair. When you read about a crash and "the airplane has been moved to a secure site", that's Beegles. It also did the repair on my cherokee 15 yrs ago when I had a fire.
 
PiperFan said:
Over the past year it’s become really bad. Last annual it wasn’t bad.
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Very surprised it's not leaking given Cherokees propensity to leak even with smooth chrome due to angulation of the strut relative to the wing.

Also surprised it was "not bad" at last annual - most likely was more than ready for a rebuild then. This is an issue across GA - no one wants to do anything prophylactic, always fix it after it already broke.
 
Steamflyer said:
Very surprised it's not leaking given Cherokees propensity to leak even with smooth chrome due to angulation of the strut relative to the wing.

Also surprised it was "not bad" at last annual - most likely was more than ready for a rebuild then. This is an issue across GA - no one wants to do anything prophylactic, always fix it after it already broke.
Click to expand...

Did a strut seal kit 2 years ago. It’s only this bottom part that looks bad. The rest of the strut looks fine where it slides up/down on landing. Looking for replacement / repair as plane is going into annual soon
 
Clean it up with some wet sandpaper and send it.

The new prop and engine overhaul needed when it fails will be cheaper than a new strut.
 
Salty

You do know there are no brake discs on the Nose Wheel?
 
On a taildragger, maybe.
On a tricycle, how?

I can see how it would damage the spar when that strut digs into the runway, though.
 
IMHO a more likely scenario is damage to the bore of the housing /cylinder.

That would result in the seals unable to do their task and cost even

more $$$$.
 
Call United Plating in Tulsa. They are an FAA repair station and have experience with vintage airplanes so if there’s a shot at fixing it, they would be a good option.
 
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