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Welcome to the new Commander Owners Group Forums. Please bear with us as the kinks are worked out and things are tweaked. If you have any questions or issues with the new platform, please post them here.
New Shimmy Dampners
- Thread starter jrichards
- Start date
Richard Lerma
New member
Murrieta, CA
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- formerly N260BG
- Serial Number
- 14238
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
Jim, You can count me in. Just rebuilt mine with the aerodyme kit. Works great...for now. Thanks.
Jim, You can count me in. Just rebuilt mine with the aerodyme kit. Works great...for now. Thanks.
South Burlington, VT
- Aircraft Year
- 1978 580
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N555LP
- Serial Number
- 14405
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
Thanks all for your continuing support.
We completed the new damper design in January, including several significant improvements that will eliminate oversteer loads on the dampers and extend the service life of the steering collars to which the dampers attach. Dis-assembly and re-assembly is also simplified, no more snap rings!
We are now preparing CAM files for all the parts, and starting the fabrication of prototypes.
Jim
Thanks all for your continuing support.
We completed the new damper design in January, including several significant improvements that will eliminate oversteer loads on the dampers and extend the service life of the steering collars to which the dampers attach. Dis-assembly and re-assembly is also simplified, no more snap rings!
We are now preparing CAM files for all the parts, and starting the fabrication of prototypes.
Jim
nruzic
New member
Hampton, VA
- Aircraft Year
- 1992
- Aircraft Type
- 114B/115
- Reg Number
- N114PW
- Serial Number
- 14542
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
Hi Jim I wonder if the torque on the bolts/nuts of the nose gear leg were all kept in proper torque through frequent inspections
THEN
would the need for damping be less and hence the damper last longer?
I realize tthe correct torque would eliminate "end play" but that's a static condition and hence we still need the damper is to take out the dynamics right?
Hi Jim I wonder if the torque on the bolts/nuts of the nose gear leg were all kept in proper torque through frequent inspections
THEN
would the need for damping be less and hence the damper last longer?
I realize tthe correct torque would eliminate "end play" but that's a static condition and hence we still need the damper is to take out the dynamics right?
Pat
Guest
Sturgis, MI
- Aircraft Year
- 1993
- Aircraft Type
- 114B/115
- Reg Number
- N374JW
- Serial Number
- 14595
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
Sid,
To your point, I rebuilt the shimmy dampner and the nose gear bushing/bolts on Scott Sedam's plane 2 years before Scott bought it. I knew the plane when Jim Saunders owned it.
Scott flies it alot and I do not believe he has had many problems.
How about it Scott.
Sid,
To your point, I rebuilt the shimmy dampner and the nose gear bushing/bolts on Scott Sedam's plane 2 years before Scott bought it. I knew the plane when Jim Saunders owned it.
Scott flies it alot and I do not believe he has had many problems.
How about it Scott.
Pat
Guest
Sturgis, MI
- Aircraft Year
- 1993
- Aircraft Type
- 114B/115
- Reg Number
- N374JW
- Serial Number
- 14595
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
Another thing that I think is important to the life of the shimmy damper. The steering/bungee cables must be adjusted. There is a common thread about the plane not steering on the ground with the rudder pedals. These maintenance items do not take much time and the instructions are in the maintenance manual.
I do not know if proper maintenance will correct the neglected plane but they will extend the life of functioning components.
Another thing that I think is important to the life of the shimmy damper. The steering/bungee cables must be adjusted. There is a common thread about the plane not steering on the ground with the rudder pedals. These maintenance items do not take much time and the instructions are in the maintenance manual.
I do not know if proper maintenance will correct the neglected plane but they will extend the life of functioning components.
South Burlington, VT
- Aircraft Year
- 1978 580
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N555LP
- Serial Number
- 14405
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
Hi All,
Agreed, it is not the job of the damper to compensate for loose, worn and/or improperly installed nose gear components, but simply to stabilize the dynamics of our very short caster gear design, and thus reduce the wear and stress on all the components.
Also of note: it is not the job of fastener torque to eliminate play from any of the nose gear component joints. Over-torquing can crack these weak aluminum and magnesium alloy castings. It is important to always address the root issues such as worn bushings and bearings, and proper use of shims.
Jim
Hi All,
Agreed, it is not the job of the damper to compensate for loose, worn and/or improperly installed nose gear components, but simply to stabilize the dynamics of our very short caster gear design, and thus reduce the wear and stress on all the components.
Also of note: it is not the job of fastener torque to eliminate play from any of the nose gear component joints. Over-torquing can crack these weak aluminum and magnesium alloy castings. It is important to always address the root issues such as worn bushings and bearings, and proper use of shims.
Jim
Last edited:
Pat
Guest
Sturgis, MI
- Aircraft Year
- 1993
- Aircraft Type
- 114B/115
- Reg Number
- N374JW
- Serial Number
- 14595
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
Jim
I also agree never over-torque. I think we have all seen inadequate maintenance done on our planes. I have seen planes after service the nose linkage was still loose and the steering cables hanging (not just loose). Robin Miley did an inspection of the planes at the Las Vegas Commander Fly In in the early 1990s and 8 out of 10 Commander had loose nose linkage. This was 20 years ago.
I believe this forum is the best thing that has happened for the Commander.
But the best shimmy dampener will not compensate for bad maintenance.
Jim
I also agree never over-torque. I think we have all seen inadequate maintenance done on our planes. I have seen planes after service the nose linkage was still loose and the steering cables hanging (not just loose). Robin Miley did an inspection of the planes at the Las Vegas Commander Fly In in the early 1990s and 8 out of 10 Commander had loose nose linkage. This was 20 years ago.
I believe this forum is the best thing that has happened for the Commander.
But the best shimmy dampener will not compensate for bad maintenance.
Jamesdub
New member
Enterprise, AL
- Aircraft Year
- 1978
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- N114JA
- Serial Number
- 14365
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
From the peanut gallery . . I installed Jim's bushing kit for the nose gear and it eliminated all shimmy indications. I also bought the damper rebuild kit but am afraid to tinker with something that may not be broken . . . Had a nasty shimmy when I picked up the plane a few years ago, none since the install . . super kit – highly recommend.
From the peanut gallery . . I installed Jim's bushing kit for the nose gear and it eliminated all shimmy indications. I also bought the damper rebuild kit but am afraid to tinker with something that may not be broken . . . Had a nasty shimmy when I picked up the plane a few years ago, none since the install . . super kit – highly recommend.
Lawrence Massachu$etts
- Aircraft Year
- 1975
- Aircraft Type
- 112/A
- Reg Number
- N1226J
- Serial Number
- 226
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
yeah, that kit's the way to do it. Why not just replace all the bolts and bushings at one time and be done with it? A nice project for your next annual.
yeah, that kit's the way to do it. Why not just replace all the bolts and bushings at one time and be done with it? A nice project for your next annual.
Richard Lerma
New member
Murrieta, CA
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- formerly N260BG
- Serial Number
- 14238
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
Gentlemen,
I rebuilt my shimmy dampner with Jim's kit a couple of months ago AND replaced the bushings with some added shims. This elliminated what was a nasty shaking when the nose gear touched down and during rollout. Very easy to do both at the same time. instructions are very straightforward.
Gentlemen,
I rebuilt my shimmy dampner with Jim's kit a couple of months ago AND replaced the bushings with some added shims. This elliminated what was a nasty shaking when the nose gear touched down and during rollout. Very easy to do both at the same time. instructions are very straightforward.
Murrieta, CA
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 112TCA
- Reg Number
- N4637W
- Serial Number
- 13167
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
Rich,
Did you move to F70 or are you still at AJO?
Gentlemen,
I rebuilt my shimmy dampner with Jim's kit a couple of months ago AND replaced the bushings with some added shims. This elliminated what was a nasty shaking when the nose gear touched down and during rollout. Very easy to do both at the same time. instructions are very straightforward.
Rich,
Did you move to F70 or are you still at AJO?
nruzic
New member
Hampton, VA
- Aircraft Year
- 1992
- Aircraft Type
- 114B/115
- Reg Number
- N114PW
- Serial Number
- 14542
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
Another pilot technique that helps the nose gear:
Hold it off Yoke back all the way after landing
Hold it back even after the Nose Gear is on the ground this keeping wt off nose gear when speed is highish. This helps in the caster dynamics.
I've noted some commander pilots getting a Nose Gear vibration and from right seat I I pulled the Yoke back all the way and gained alleviation.
I know its a bit awkward to have the Yoke back in your midriff but its only for a little while.
Once speed is down below 30 knots the dynamics are far better.
Another pilot technique that helps the nose gear:
Hold it off Yoke back all the way after landing
Hold it back even after the Nose Gear is on the ground this keeping wt off nose gear when speed is highish. This helps in the caster dynamics.
I've noted some commander pilots getting a Nose Gear vibration and from right seat I I pulled the Yoke back all the way and gained alleviation.
I know its a bit awkward to have the Yoke back in your midriff but its only for a little while.
Once speed is down below 30 knots the dynamics are far better.
South Burlington, VT
- Aircraft Year
- 1978 580
- Aircraft Type
- Super Commander
- Reg Number
- N555LP
- Serial Number
- 14405
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
Yes, we have seen two cases of cracked torque tubes that arose from inattention to continuing shimmy. And those tubes are VERY expensive.
Jim
Yes, we have seen two cases of cracked torque tubes that arose from inattention to continuing shimmy. And those tubes are VERY expensive.
Jim
Georgetown, DE
- Aircraft Year
- 1975
- Aircraft Type
- 112-390
- Reg Number
- N1410J
- Serial Number
- 410
milojevicp
New member
Ontario
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- Fulfilled Former Owner of C-GFNC
- Serial Number
- 14308
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
My aircraft maintenance engineer used many of Jim's products and they are all superb. I look forward to Jim's complete damper assembly.
My aircraft maintenance engineer used many of Jim's products and they are all superb. I look forward to Jim's complete damper assembly.
CenAir
New member
Worcester, MA
- Aircraft Year
- 1977
- Aircraft Type
- 114
- Reg Number
- N530CD
- Serial Number
- 14250
Re: New Shimmy Dampners
Add me into that club with a Commander that wont steer on the ground and looks like loose bungee cables to me, its in the shop right now being corrected and with a few other issues in my new 114. Should be done Tuesday and back flying it and some more testing on the plane, had a real slow left main gear light 40+ seconds it took and the gear is being tested and swung to see if its the gear/hydraulics etc and doubt it thinking it a gear micro switch or the bulb.
Add me into that club with a Commander that wont steer on the ground and looks like loose bungee cables to me, its in the shop right now being corrected and with a few other issues in my new 114. Should be done Tuesday and back flying it and some more testing on the plane, had a real slow left main gear light 40+ seconds it took and the gear is being tested and swung to see if its the gear/hydraulics etc and doubt it thinking it a gear micro switch or the bulb.