HI all, after 3 seasons of bad landings on my Hotspot, I decided to change the tire slicks, pretty worn, so I did a search on RCU to see how others where doing it and confirmed my beliefs that it was not going to be easy.
I took the best ideas,which where, use hot water to soften the tires. Second ,find some Dubin( silicone). Third, find an old spinner the same size as the tire and lastly,get a piece of wood with a hole in it.
Well, it took me longer to heat the water, a few seconds and the tires where on, great, that was so easy, now I just got to get those small screws in.
Rcpete

What's the light bulb for?

To heat the water! (That's why it took so long Pete)

George

Hey Pete!

I just replaced the tires on my Mav. Same method, except I didn't bother with heating the tires, and used WD-40 as the lubricant. Didn't even break a sweat.

Make sure the tire is seated properly. Place it on an axle and spin it to ensure this is the case. To do the screws, I used a #57 drill in the drill press, after making sure the tray was exactly 90 degrees to the drill. Drill down through the threaded side. Push the screws in from the non-threaded side. Tighten. Done.

See you in the spring!
...jim

I think Drill Press is the easiest way to put those screws in. Some people have great luck with a torched T Pin

Sean is right, the drill press makes this job easiest , however, make sure to set the speed on high and move the drill inand out going deper bit by bit ... i found sometimes that the bit will chase and wonder off center if done in one shot ... with the t pin method, you are manually aiming for the hole on the other side ... also, when drilling, drill with the thread part on top, this prevents anyt chace of messing up the threads with the drill ..


Wojtek

I used the drill press method------once. THe red hot "T" pin method is much faster and easier. I have never missed lining up the hole with the 'T" pin. Make sure you use the large pins and not the small ones. Also there is no way you are going to screw up the threads like you can with the drill. Scott

Jim, those tires had a lot of clicks on them when I last saw you in Maine. Did they survive the rest of the tour??!!
Also is "the deal" still on?

Seasons Greetings,

Chris

Hey Chris,

Yeah, they survived the rest of the tour. But the old Spring Air retracts didn't. Both of the main retracts had a nasty crack right at the 90 degree bend of the mounting flange on one side. Too many hard landings, not that I did very many of those, must have been the previous five owners. Heh. They have now been replaced by another old pair I had in a drawer, that are in much better condition. And I've straightened the wing mount too! As you may recall, there was a 2 degree difference in the incidence of the left wing compared to the right wing. Made inverted manouvers interesting. Shouldn't be a problem next season.

Deal? Man, my memory is going. I remember we talked about something, but the details escape me at the moment. Probably too much turkey. Jog my memory if you would. Thanks.

...jim

It was something about you acquiring a jet of the turbine persuasion.

Good to here you straightened out the Mav, should be able to fly even lower (if thats possible[X(])

Chris

I have an easy way to put those screws in.... DON'T put them... Just a waste of time.... hahaha..
I flew for years with out any screws on BVM wheels.. worked great.

Eddie, when you are landing an isobar downwind with the gear up and engine off, I can see why the screws wouldn't matter much HAHAHA

In eddies defense he did miss the runway on that particular flight

Another trick you can try, befor you drill the holes for the screws, take a long zip-tye and fasten it all the way around the tire and pull it up tight. This will seat the tire all the way down into the rim for when you drill it.

I have to disagree with Eddie, do use the screws. A freind of mine started to complain about his brakes not working, when we looking into it the tires were spinning on the rims very freely. They had lapped them selves in with time.

Steven

Oh, that deal! I thought you were talking about a deal between us. The other deal is still pending.

Not sure if it is possible...

...jim

(Pic by Gerry Yarrish.)

I like using a drill press as well.

OK Jim, thats low enough.

Chris

I have a neat way of putting in the screws. I start screwing the screws from the threaded side and they line up each time. You can then come out and put them in the other way or just leave them. You can forget the drill press. (KISS.) I never had one back out. A set of three tires should take about 10 min if you are slow.
Burt
Have a good Holiday.