ORIGINAL: djstar39
The rubber grommet is Normand's idea (I think). Post 1356 on page 55 has pictures.
djstar
I saw the photos. Looks good for vertical shock. Most of the damage is from either a nose wheel landing or landing too fast. Mine usually bends if I run off the end of the runway. I replace the pin after I have to straighten it a couple of times. It depends on how bad a ding it takes. It will break if you bend it back too many times.
[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A31lDAB3qfs]Nose gear failure[/link]
SR