Straightening groves gear

[JamesD]

Hi all,

I’m looking for info and experience from anyone that may know if it’s possible to rebend groves kitfox 5 gear?Aircraft suffered a ground loop.

Many thanks

James
australia

[Av8r3400]

It can be straightened, but then needs to be re-heat treated. Your best bet is to contact Grove Aircraft and discuss it with them to see if it is cost effective over just replacing the spring.

[ClickClickBoom]

He is Down Unda, try a local spring fabrication shop. Plenty of hot rodding down there, gotta be a spring shop or two.

[Av8r3400]

Not any spring shop can work with aluminum springs. Call Grove.

[pakitdvr]

Had same problem cost and time to do wasn’t worth it. Got new. Grove hear schedule can be very long

[David47]

It can be straightened, but then needs to be re-heat treated. Your best bet is to contact Grove Aircraft and discuss it with them to see if it is cost effective over just replacing the spring.

Totally agree. You don't know what aluminium alloy it is nor what heat treatment it's been through after forming. I assume you're insured and if so, why aren't the insurers paying for it ?.

[rogerh12]

Last time I talked to Grove about straightening my used gear, they told me my gear was the older aluminum type with they don't use anymore, and to heat treat it they would have to change the settings on their oven and run my gear through by itself,,,,at great cost. However, if you have the newer type gear, it would be cheaper to re-heat treat than the older.
Hope this helps
Roger

[oldfox]

Yep you can do. You will have to cold bend it. Do not heat it up to bend it back you will soften the gear but it can be bent back. Bolt to steel table and use a hydraulic port a power unit takes a lot to bend it into the right pace but can be done .