Front Prop Clearance and Nose Strut Deflated

[SteveG]

This sounds like you're considering jacking the nose wheel off the ground using only a front jack. IMHO that's a poor idea. The front jack point is primarily used to stabilize the aircraft while supported by wing jacks. Lifting the nose without tail boom stands risks dumping the aircraft over backwards. Take care.

[mshac]

Originally Posted by SteveG

This sounds like you're considering jacking the nose wheel off the ground using only a front jack. IMHO that's a poor idea. The front jack point is primarily used to stabilize the aircraft while supported by wing jacks. Lifting the nose without tail boom stands risks dumping the aircraft over backwards. Take care.

This is why its really a two-man operation to safely lift the nose. If you do it alone, try to find something to support the tail or you could be buying new lower tail cones

I'm just throwing ideas - old tires stacked up, a rolling toolbox/bench covered with cardboard or towels, the open gate of a pick up truck. A tail stand would be ideal, but finding one tall enough for the 337 can be a challenge.

Let us know how it goes, and remember, without pictures, it never happened.

[CO_Skymaster]

Finally, I was able to remove the nose strut valve cap. Victory is mine!!! Que the maniacal laughter

I was going to upload some photos of how I lifted the nose and that gave me enough room to stick my hand behind the gear to remove the valve cover, but the Managed Attachments for files are failing. I don't know if it is a size issue, but how are people loading the picture that only show up as a link?

I have a nitrogen bottle and regulator which should arrive before next weekend. I will try to charge the strut. I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks to everyone who helped me with this,

Karl

[CO_Skymaster]

OK, I used Snipping Tool in Window which cuts down on the original picture size. Here are the pictures.

Karl

[mshac]

Love the memory foam, or whatever that black stuff is. Great way to protect the airplane. Where did you find it?

[mshac]

Here is how you can make your photos appear inline in the forum instead of as an attachment:

[CO_Skymaster]

I ordered it off amazon "Foam Rush 6inch x 18 x 20 High Density Upholstery Foam Cushion". The lift is a "Powerbuild 2-ton triple lift floor jack", I like that it has a safetly feature of placing a metal rod when lifted up, just in case the jack hydraulics fail.

Karl