I currently have a main gear off the airframe (pa-30) to facilitate a oleo housing change. Is there any reason not to service the oleo - at least the fluid on the bench? I understand that the nitrogen will need to be fine tune with weight on wheels, but I think that it would be easier to do on the bench as much as possible.

Thanks,

Ps I have only done it on the airplane in the past...

It doesn’t really matter, other than it easier to install with just the weight of the housing rather than the entire gear leg. It’s also easier to fill the strut with fluid when it’s attached to the plane, rather than loose sliding around on the bench.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff,

So, you insert the gear leg into the housing after the housing is installed on the airplane?
- That would be lighter for sure, but I wondered about fighting with the gear leg and snap ring... Obviously, I am not experienced, the only other time that I did it was when everything was removed for a major inspection, then I put it back as a whole unit.

Thanks again for any tips.

Once the trunnion is back in place I insert the leg with all the associated parts, seal, scraper, washer, etc in the proper order and push it up into place with a couple wooden sticks taped to the strut.

There are may different methods to get everything back in place so you can install the lock ring, but my preferred method is to take a simple paint stirring stick like the ones you get free with a bucket of paint, cut a couple pieces abut 4" long and tape them to the strut. Now you can push all the stuff back in place simply by pushing up on the gear leg. The wood wont damage anything and is thin enough to fit inside the end of the trunnion so you can compress the seal pack enough to easily insert the lock.

Put a dab of grease on the lock buttons so they don't fall out and roll into the floor drain...

Jeff