Help in something I'm lacking in (Installing Wheel pants).
 

Hello everyone, having a problem with installing wheel pants on a bird. The bird being the GP Shoestring, I did as the manual instructed but did not last long as the epoxy lost its grip on all of the wooden blocks. I'm sure I'll have no problems re attaching them but....

I've see and heard of several methods but still unclear. One method was brought the field, allowed the pant to move freely around the axle so as not to damage the pant when landing.

I have seen one application which used nose gear steering arms which also allows the pant to move freely.

Does anyone have any helpful tips I can use perhaps pictures as well.

Thanks
Blackie

RE: Help in something I'm lacking in (Installing Wheel pants).
 

I do it two ways. Both require a ply plate inside the pant. You have to rough up the glass really good to get a good bond to the wood plate.

The first method is to set the pant where you want it, drill a hole through the halco gear into the pant and block above the axle, and put a blind nut on the inside and a screw through the halco gear through the pant and block into the blind nut. I use 2-56 screws for that. It holds really well and is solid. You have to drill the pant and block for the axle bolt head on the axle.

The second is the steering arm method. You do the same thing, with the block, but on the inside, you put a steering arm with the screw to the bottom so you can put it on the axle and tighten it. On the inside, you just mount the arm into the block at any angle you want but make sure it is solid. I use a second plate so the arm is flat inside and screw it in, then glue around it with epoxy and cotton flox or something like that which is really strong. It won't let go. Straight epoxy will work, but is not as strong. Again, the pant needs to be drilled for the axle and bolt head on the out side of the gear. Then you put the pant, wheel and collar on, and set the pant where you want it and tighten everything up. It holds well too, but can move it if needs to. I find they tend to break the wheel pant before it gets moved so either method works really well.

Good luck. I used the first method on my shoe.

RE: Help in something I'm lacking in (Installing Wheel pants).
 

Sullivan has Wheel Pant Brackets. They are available for different size wire. They get epoxied to the inside of the wheel pant, then slid on the axle and tightened with a 3/32" hex wrench. They hold very well and, depending on how tight you put them on, will allow the pant to move (hopefully saving it) in a "less than perfect landing."

RE: Help in something I'm lacking in (Installing Wheel pants).
 

Thanks for the mount, I believe I will give that a try.

Thanks
Blackie