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Main bearing race's loose in CLeveland main gear wheels on my PA30

Comanche Landing Gear

Last Post by Kate 4 years ago

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Kate

Admin

Joined: 5 years ago

Posts: 138

Topic starter 04/04/2020 1:27 pm

December 16, 2018 at 20:26

Tim Puliz

Participant

While getting my 1000 hour landing gear inspection, the mechanics at Johnston Aviation noticed that the bearing races’ in both wheels are not firmly seated, but rather have play in them. Has anyone else experienced this maintenance issue? Any suggestions on how to remedy this problem? The wheel assemblies are Cleveland part # 40-34. They cost over $4,500 ea. new. I hope to find a repair solution and/or find suitable used wheels. Do any of you have suggestions and/or comments?

Tim Puliz
775-742-3253

February 21, 2019 at 19:00

William Hughes

Participant

Tim:

That sounds like the bearing carrier opening in the wheel has become larger than specified. Or you don’t have the correct bearings installed. Check the measurement on the wheel housing and check with Cleveland if they are right. If wrong you’ll need to replace the wheel. This would be unusual in my experience as the point of bearings is that they are the wear point. Check the outside diameter of a new set of bearings and see if the wheels are ok.

Piper Pawnees use the same wheel parts and since these are spray-planes they crash a lot. You may be able to find used serviceable Pawnee wheels for a very reasonable price and plunk them onto your Comanche.

William

February 21, 2019 at 20:39

Tim Puliz

Participant

Hey William,

Thanks for your message.
Turns out, both main wheels had the baring races loose as the mechanic observed. I purchased new races and confirmed it. I purchased one replacement used wheel on ebay for $650.00 and that wheel worked correctly with the baring race. We could not locate another used Cleveland Wheel that matched the specs: ( Cleveland 6.00-6 Right Main Wheel & Brake 40-34 30-23. New replacement Cleveland wheels cost around $3K with a 6 week lead time. This wheel has 6 bolts. My research resulted in information that Cleveland makes a compatible 3-bolt wheel that should work correctly. I found that used wheel locally in Carson City, NV and will have my mechanic verify if that the wheel meets all specs. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Sincerely, Tim Puliz, Reno, NV

February 28, 2019 at 20:38

William Hughes

Participant

Glad it is working out. Good luck!

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