I have my 180 in for annual. There has been a grinding noise coming from the gear motor/transmission area for a while now and the mechanic pulled the transmission/motor unit. The gear transmission unit is the problem. The motor is nearly new but, alas, the gear transmission box is not. So, it seems getting this little puppy overhauled is not an easy task. Webco is out for the count at the moment pending approval of their process. Lock Haven is approved but they start at $1695 and they overhaul the whole system (motor, gear box, etc.). Not sure I can get any credit for my nearly new motor.

Lordy, such a small item but such a big cost. I have found one used unit I could pull form a scrapped airplane for $1500 but there is no gaurantee it won't go out any time soon.

Anyone else dealt with this particualr problem? Maybe someone has a gear transmission box sitting around?

Bill
ICS #13927

With all the information I hear about landing gear collapsing and poor maintenance, I would say bite the bullet and pay the $1,600. Seriously, I know that transmission looks so little, but so much is riding on it (literally). And given the result of having something bad happen when you land, I would say $1,600 is not a whole lot of money. Just my humble opinion.

Call Webco and have them sell you a serviceable transmission (they have lots). Your mechanic can then swap out the units and retain your good motor.

Do you have a Dukes or a Dura transmission? Dukes will overhaul their transmission. I am not aware of anyone with approval to overhaul a Dura transmission.

If you don't know, you can tell by counting the number of screws that hold the end cap on. 5 = Dura. 6=Dukes.

I think Webco can sell you all the parts. I think ours is the Dukes not sure though. We bought the parts off them and did it ourselves or at least our engineer did it for us.

Alan