Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

I've been working on this G&P Hornet for a while now (on and off) and I'm trying to figure out how you install the stearing arm on the rectract (nose gear) and have your servo hooked up at the same time. I've never done this before and I must say I'm baffled. If anybody has any pics or a good document, even the time to type it up, I'd really appreciate it.

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

It might help if you tell us the manufacturer of the gear or post a pic. All retract manufacturers do not engineer the steering in the same manner.

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

Here is what another fellow did. I'm looking at the picture and it just isn't working for me. When the retract goes up, how does the servo linkage not twist off. I'm using spring air 101hd's so mine is slightly different, but if someone can explain to me how that servo linkage stays on the clevise with the gear goes up I'll take it from there

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

The steering arm has a brass rod that the white nylon piece slides on. The clevis from the servo steering rod pivots on the white nylon piece while it is sliding on the brass rod. So, when the gear retracts, the pivot point on the retract brass rod steering arm actually changes and keeps things from twisting or binding. If this doesn't help, I will plug the problem into my Marconium Wave Extrapulator and see what comes out.

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

The main thing is to make sure you install the steering arm with the steering tiller (brass rod with the steering horn on it) so that the steering tiller is pointed towards the top of the airframe. You can't get the linkage geometry to work with it turned the other way.

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

Donut boy!
Why you never just call me up I'll never understand LOL. I've used these retracts a million times and have installed that system over and over again.

As was said already they nylon piece slides on the brass rod and when the retract is in the up position the nylon piece will be approximately centered on that rod allowing the servo to move in both directions.
If you have any problems just call me :)

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

oh...that Donut boy!!!!:D

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

Doh!!! I'm cursed by me desire for the donut. :)

Thanks for the info people, must have been having a blonde moment. If I need any more info, I'll give ya a call Jeremy. I don't know why I didn't call ya either, yet another blonde moment.

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

I took pics of one I had laying around...this might help explain.......

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

That's not "one laying around" that's off a crashed airplane!~:D:D:D

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

well that explains alot!,
i have a DJ3, could i make a FIXED retract leg, into a steerable one?

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

Well, not quite...it is the tailwheel off my byron mustang. The bulkhead departed the airframe on takeoff...flew just fine without it :D

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

The clevis connection needs to be fixed at the axis the gear retracts on so it doesn't get jammed when retracted and prevent the wheel from coming down. If the rod passes through a bulkhead put the hole in the right spot, otherwise make an auxiliary bracket.

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

Thanks for the pics Nony. I think I got it. I'll let ya know.

RE: Stearable Retract - how ya do it?
 

I have a DJ-1 and did exactly what you are looking to do, well kinda at least. I replaced the non-steerable Pilot nose gear with a Robart mechanical nose gear. The dimensions are very close, but the Robart is a little bit taller and the retract sticks out the bottom of the fuse about 1/16". If you are really set on modifying the Pilot gear, do a search for "toki" by Easytiger. He posted pictures a couple of years ago on how he made his Pilot gear steerable.

John