Service difficulty report · Bushing · Piper PA34200T

Difficulty date
November 9, 2017
Submitted
November 9, 2017
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N47404
Make and model
Piper PA34200T
Aircraft serial
347770392
Aircraft time
3,209 hours
Part
Bushing
Part number
67026012
Condition
Loose
Location
Rt Mlg
Part time
3,209 hours
Component
Truss Bracket · Piper
Component part number
95643009
Stage of operation
IN
How discovered
V
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

WHILE PERFORMING A 100H INSPECTION THE MAIN LANDING GEAR WAS BEING OBSERVED WHILE THE LANDING GEAR WAS IN MOTION DURING THE RETRACTION AND EXTENSION CHECKS. THE 5/8" OD MAIN GEAR SIDEBRACE STUD WAS OBSERVED ROCKING IN ITS ONE-PIECE BUSHING, AND THE BUSHING WAS ROTATING IN THE MAIN GEAR TRUSS BRACKET. SERVICE MANUAL DOES NOT SPECIFY THE TOTAL LATERAL MOVEMENT ALLOWED IN THE MLG SIDE MOTION, NOR THE SERVICE LIMIT CLEARANCE FOR THIS BUSHING. THE MANUAL DOES NOT MENTION INSPECTION OF THE BUSHING FOR SECURITY IN THE TRUSS BRACKET. THIS TRUSS BRACKET IS THE UPGRADED VERSION. THERE IS NO REPAIR SCHEME FOR AN OVER-SIZED OUTSIDE DIAMETER BUSHING, REPLACEMENT OF THE EXPENSIVE ($1900) MAIN GEAR TRUSS BRACKET IS REQUIRED. I HAVE FOUND THIS CONDITION TO BE PREVALENT ON MULTIPLE PA34-200T AIRPLANES.

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