This is a photo of the left main landing gear. It’s basically a three-strut design with an outboard block/axle for mounting the wheel. During landing, Strut 1 is compressed to absorb the landing loads. Strut 2 is actually in tension preventing the block from rotating CCW (as seen in this view). Strut 3 is largely cosmetic (like the drag link on the nose gear of an F-18) but it will get loaded in compression if struts 1 & 2 move rearwards due to rolling resistance, braking, or other landing loads.

All vertical loads during landing are taken up by Strut 1. You have to look at the load path (as they say, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link). The ground pushes up on the wheel, which transfers the load to the axle/block, which transfers the load to Strut 1. However, Strut 1 is only attached to the block by a ~3mm (.118”) diameter pin (with an E-chip on each side). This will place quite a lot of stress on the pin and on the holes for the pin in the block. Additionally, if one of the E-clips falls off (like that has never happened), the pin can slide out of the block/strut and the landing gear will collapse. It would be far better to use a larger bolt (and lock nut) than this type of pin.

Regards,

Jim