• 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

Re: New Shimmy Dampners

Jim ... I am coming up on 10 years of ownership and about 1600 flight hours during that time. I am also fond of grass strips and I like to screw around a bit, turning off at 800 feet on the home base just to show up Bonanza drivers, etc. In short, I am not exactly gentle on it. I do not every recall having a shimmy or shake from the damper. If it has every been rebuilt ... well, I am going to check, but I have zero recollection of that. How is it possible, given everything I have read here? I suppose it is just dumb luck, but it is almost worth looking at to see if there is anything unique about it. Maybe someone switched it out sill a Billstein gas shock 12 years ago! Strange, eh? (Now watch ... the shimmy starts next trip.)

The only thing I can think of is that I like to keep the nose off until it falls through because there is zero lift left. Just for fun, I guess. could that make that much difference?
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

Mine shimmied when I bought it but since CPAC rebuilt it during the pre-buy annual it's worked fine. wouldn't mine a spare though As it seems to be a common affliction on our aircraft.
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

Sign me up, Jim. Thanks
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

I would take 1 or 2 depending on price, it appears from the parts 15
March 1997 114/114A/114B/114TC parts manual that the basic shimmy dampner would work on all models with just a change in the attachment bushing.

Why not offer the Shimmy damper with both bushing so it can be used by
all model 114X owners

Thanks for taking on this project!
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

Put me down for one...thanks.
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

Jim ... we checked and I did need new seals about 7 years ago, but nothing more than that. Strange that I have not had a shimmy problem ever. But regardless, I am in for one of yours, hoping you can get the kit done for 3 figures.
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

Hi All,

Thanks everyone for the very enthusiastic response for new dampners. We seem to have the basis for an initial run of 50. I will get started on a cost/price analysis and post again in 4-6 weeks with a prospective pricing. Then, I can collect firm commitments and proceed if enough of you are still on board.

Jim
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

Jim,

I'm interested.

Jon
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

Jon ... I have flown into Boerne Stage many times. Nice place, beautiful setting flying in. (Except for the pathetic transient parking situation and overnight fees. Basically no where to tie down, a lot of loose gravel, etc.) My sister is a custom homebuilding and lives in Cordiellera Ranch and my Bro-in-law has an office in Boerne. Have not seen your bird there ... probably in hangar? Was there twice this past summer.
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

Hi Jim, appreciate your work.
I would only need it as a backup at this point,
so interested depending on price...
Look forward for the Specs and price

Heinrich in deep winter snow
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

Jim, we don't need one, but, we would keep one in the bucket of spare parts, otherwise known as the junk pile. And, speaking about junk....The first time I walked into Rob's hangar "workshop" I said to him, "Boy, you have a lot of junk here!" He said that was about the end of the relationship. Well, I'm beginning to find out how important that junk is. For instance, I needed a new landing gear motor for my Zlin 526 and no where to be found. We ended up finding one and they guy said $1,000. Rob said that's a lot of money for a little motor. The guy said, it's easier to come up with $1,000 than a Zlin 526 landing gear motor. So, I handed over the cash.
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

My husband is in the middle of my annual and says:

PLeaase post on Commander website

More on shimmy dampers:

The tiny nylon ball under the hex set screw is the seal that keeps the oil in. DO NOT try to reuse the ball, it will leak unless you are VERY careful to get it perfectly aligned, (after being used once it is no longer round), which is a frustrating and time-consuming task. Small Parts Inc. sells these balls for $2.74/hundred, shipping $7 or so. I ordered 100, anyone who needs one call or e-mail, we will send one or two for the cost of a couple of stamps. (Provided Small Parts comes through).

Also, it is not necessary to remove both set screws/balls, nor is it necessary to submerge the entire damper in 5606, as instructed by the maintenance manual. Fill the damper up about 1/2 way, hold it vertically, pump the rod up and down a time or two, push the rod most of the way down, and fill the damper to overflowing, drop in the new ball, and put the hex set screw in.

And, by the way, you engineers, it is a DAMPER, which damps vibrations, not a DAMPENER, which you use to wet cloths before ironing, for applying decals, etc. The last thing you want your shimmy damper to do in dampen you or your nose gear (presumably with 5606).

By my husband Robin T. Harrison, P.E., who has worked professionally in the area of vibration dampers for years!
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

That was a crack-up Sooooz. Kind of like oriented vs. orientated. Orientated literally means "to turn oneself toward the Orient." I hear that one all the time.
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

Susie,

I may have a couple of those nylon balls in my hangar. Let me know if you need one right away.
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

I am starting to experience a growing shimmy. I would definitely take one as well. What do I do in the meantime? What is the best way to address this problem?

Thanks,

Andy
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

arties1 said:
I am starting to experience a growing shimmy. I would definitely take one as well. What do I do in the meantime? What is the best way to address this problem?

Thanks,

Andy
Click to expand...

Andy

Before going to the expense of changing your Shimmy Dampner there are some other things that will cause shimmy which re not related.

I had a severe shimmy develop last year which was caused by a combination of a worn and overinflated nose tyre and a loose torque link on the nose gear.

New tyre and a torque link rebuild kit cured it for about £150 ($240)

Worth checking, especially the tyre pressure.
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

I could use a nylon ball or two. I looked everywhere down here in S FL.; but no luck.
As for the new Shimmy Damper =-) Put me down for one.
 
Last edited:
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

yes please Jim
 
Re: New Shimmy Dampners

Hi Andy,

Ditto Lawrence's advice. You should do a thorough evaluation and refurbishment of your nose gear. Please note: the wear can only be properly evaluated on jacks with the springs unhooked and actuator dettached.

We offer various kits and parts which include technical support.

Jim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top