I have found an easy, inexpensive way to secure the wheel pants and it has worked for years. Instead of drilling a hole through the pants for the axle to pass through I cut a groove in them where they will sit on the axle. Still need to epoxy in a hardwood back plate. Then drill 4 small holes (2 on each side of the gear) that will accept two nylon wire ties. Sit the pants on the axle, pull the ties through the pants, around the gear and back through the pants holes on the other side of the gear. Snug up the ties, cut off the excess and you have a vibration / shock absorbing mount and if you land "firmly" the ties break off before the pants can cause the plane to flip or do more damage. They will sit slightly higer than the conventional method but barely noticeable and on grass fields it really looks just fine.

At least it has worked for me on all size planes over a lond period of time.

Thanks,
Mike