Front Prop Clearance and Nose Strut Deflated

[CO_Skymaster]

I am trying to understand how to inflate my nose strut, but I do not have the equipment to do this yet (jacks, nose gear holder, nitrogen bottle, information how to release nose gear only). I found a two way to do the nose gear release so I could service the strut on this site, but I don't feel comfortable enough to use them. I am currently out of Annual and was thinking about taking my aircraft to an off-field facility and have them service the strut during annual. My nose strut is completely deflated, and I wanted to know if there could be an issue with prop strikes or gear stress if I flew it for a temporary flight to have my annual done.

Thanks for any help,

Karl

[Learjetter]

I would not recommend flying with a deflated nose strut.

On my G-model, the nose strut pressure specification is 35psi.

The procedure is pretty simple. I’ll try to post the pages from the g-model service manual. Nitrogen is best but air works too.

Pretty good article:
https://www.cessnaflyer.org/maintena...-ins-outs.html

[mshac]

No need for jacks. In a pinch like this, I'd just put some weight on the tail until you lift the nose, then fill it with shop air to 35 psi (or three inches of chrome showing is the old school way) then have the shop doing the annual check the fluid and refill it with nitrogen. The moisture in the shop air is the issue, it could cause rust. Worst case scenario is a busted o-ring, and if that's the case it may not hold air no matter what you do.

[CO_Skymaster]

I was thinking of just filling the strut with air until I could get it to another shop for annual, then have them perform the service with nitrogen. The problem I have is to fill the strut with air, the valve is on the backside of the nose strut and when the strut is down it's in an alcove (I have a 1966 337A). I can reach around in the cramped space, but I can maneuver to remove the cap (which I think I can feel there) or get an inlet nozzle on it. From what I read in the forum, I have to be able to release the nose gear lock and shift the nose gear forward to get to it. There are 3 ways to do this from reading the forum:

1. Lift the entire aircraft up as you are performing gear retractions which requires a lot of jacks.

2. Lift front nose with jacks or pushing the tail down, pull the landing gear circuit braker, set the gear to up position, turn the master switch ON, then for a moment push in the circuit breaker, then pull. (I worry about the main gear and if I'm setting up a gear collapse situation either during the procedure or while taxing. I also don't have a circuit breaker I can pull manually).

3. Someone mention taking the rear door on the back of the nose gear which I don't think I can do that as just an owner, that sounds like A&P territory.

I plan to go down tomorrow with an endoscope I bought to attach to my phone to confirm I am indeed feeling the service value, but I can try to reach it again, but I don't think there is enough room to work with the value.

If anyone else has a non-gear retract or a way to safely release the nose gear uplock that doesn't sound like it would give me a gear collapse situation, I would appreciate it.

Karl

[Frank Benvin]

My mechanic filled it while I pulled down the tail and rested the tail on a upside 5 gallon bucket with a pillow on top of it. The nose gear was down and locked while he filled it

[CO_Skymaster]

I am headed to the hanger tomorrow. I will check again. Maybe I can get to it if the strut is extended or maybe I was looking in the wrong place. Let you know if it works.

Thanks,

Karl