Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 35: Landing Gear & Engine Mount (part 5)

Reference: Pages 35-02, 35-04, 35-05; 3.0 hours

I was finally able to get the grease I needed for the RV-12 airplane's main wheel bearings. Matco recommends Aeroshell 22 (not Aeroshell 5) for the bearings. So today seemed like a good time to finish up the main landing gear.

Reference: page 35-02

Step 9: Fully grease wheel bearings before installing. i worked the grease down into the bear by hand.



This completes page 35-02.

Reference: page 35-04

Step 1: Slide the main gear wheel assembly and washer onto the axle and secure with the axle nut as shown in Figure 3. The axle nut should be tightened to the point that there is no play in the assembly and the rubber seal on the bearing doesn't spin with the wheel. See the instructions included with the wheel and brake package for further details on axle nut torque.

Builder's note: Because of the seal the preload is different than regular aircraft wheel bearings! Read the instructions.



Step 2: , Installed the Stationary Brake Shoe behind the Brake Disk, then bolt the Stationary Brake Shoe and Cylinder Assembly together. Torqued to Matco recommendations.



This completes page 35-04.

Reference: page 35-04

Step 3: Installed the landing gear covers that fit under the gear legs on the RV-12 airplane.



I am leaving the Fuselage inspection plates off (Step 4) until paint and final inspection. So, this completes today's work session. Also the front gear won't be installed until right before the firewall forward kit is installed (my garage is too short to make the plane yes to work around.) I am going up to Van's Aircraft to pick up the new RV12 Fuel Vent Modifications kit, so iy can be installed before closing up the fuel tank.

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 35: Landing Gear & Engine Mount (part 4) & misc jobs

Reference: Page 52-02, 35-02, 21-18, OP-50; 8.0 hours

Another snow day! We are up to 18 inches here at the house, so when it snows you can make snowmen or work on the RV-12 airplane. The RV wins. I built the towbar kit this morning while letting the garage heat up. Also, today is a catch-up day of odd jobs.



One reason for building the tow bar kit at this time is there is a modification required to the nose fork if wheel pants are not bing added to the RV-12 airplane. I'm not going to do a step by step assemble of Van's Aircraft's towbar, unless it ties directly to the landing gear.

Step 5: Final-drill 5/16" the 1/4 holes in the nose fork. Installed the bolts washer and hardware as is supplied with the towbar kit.



That's all for the towbar and nose fork at this time.

Reference: 35-02

Steps 3-5: Assembled the nose wheel for the RV-12 per plans.





This completes everything but greasing the main wheel bears on page 35-02

Reference: 21-18

Step 10: Installed the fuselage steps using the hardware called out by Van's Aircraft.

Builder's note: I ended up opening the step holes in the fuselage just slightly so the steps would slide into place without deforming the sheet aluminum.



Reference: OP-50

Another odd job I need to do is to mount the optional Fuel Pump Noise Filter to the floor of the RV-12 in the baggage tunnel of the airplane. The plans call for using RTV sealant , but this does not stick well to zinc chromated aluminum, so I used fuel tank sealant which sticks great.

Steps 5 & 6: Wire tied the Noise filter to the static tube and wires using the supplied tie wraps as outlined by Van's Aircraft. Then secured the noise filter using fuel tank sealant.



This completes the installation of the Optional Fuel Pump Noise Filter. That's it for today's work session on the RV-12 airplane.

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 35: Landing Gear & Engine Mount (part 2)

Reference: Page 35-02; 1.5 hours

Today continues the installation of the Main landing gear on the RV-12 airplane.

Step 6: Split the main Wheel assemblies.

Step 7: Dusted the inner tubes with talcum powder. Making sure the valve stem aligned with the red dot on the tire side wall. Partially inflated the inner tube (just enough to give it a little shape) to get it seated correctly. Installed the wheel halves and troqued them down.



Builder's note: I couldn't get the valve stem washer installed because it was too thick. So I ground some of the material away before installing as shown below.



Builder's note: You will need a set of allen wrench drivers to set the correct tourque on the wheel halves. I got mine at Sears.



Step 8: Inflated the tire. Installed the brake disks.



I didn't have the correct wheel grease (Aeroshell 22 is one of the recommended types. So I will have to wait until I can get out the the local FBO and pickup a tube.

Vans Aircraft RV-12 Airplane Build, Section 35: Landing Gear & Engine Mount (part 1)

Reference: Page 35-02, 35-03; 1.5 hours

Today officially starts the installation of the Landing Gear and Engine mount on the RV12 airplane kit. Technically I started it on 1/12/14 when I installed the engine mount while waiting for epoxy to cure, but it is getting documented here.

Step 1: Final drilled the two 3/16" holes to 3/8". Used a unibit to create nice clean holes. Also, to ensure holes were centered to the mount before drilling.



Step 2: Install hardware and upper engine mount and then torqued these to the specified values. I didn't have any alignment problems.



Builder's note: I jumped over the steps dealing with the nose wheel as I wanted to get the main gear on. Also I didn't have talc here to assemble the wheels.

Reference: Page 35-03

Step 1: Assembly of the two Main Gear Attach Brackets using Fuel Lube on the threads. Torque to correct values.

Step 2: Applied grease to the Outboard and inboard wear plates. And installed main landing gear legs. The SB was completed earlier during construction.

Builder's note: In the picture below you will notice the Gear Leg mounting blocks do not seat fully against the wear plates but rather just sandwiches the gear leg into place between the wear plate and block. I did talk to Van's Aircraft about this and it was designed that way on purpose and is the same design as used on the RV-8 tail wheel aircraft. So getting the torque values correct is critical!





Builder's note: The bolt grip area is lubricated to allow for more accurate torque vales (see the landing Gear Service Bulletin SB 12-11-09)



Step 3: Bolted on the main gear axles. Using the C-1211 wood block (remember the ones used as canopy spacers?) to check the alignment of the axles for toe in or toe out. There should be neither toe-in or toe-out on the main landing gear.





Step 4: Add the fluid fittings to the brake assemblies using thread sealant. The left and right side mirror each other.



This completes page 35-03 of the RV 12 construction plans. Next I will continue with more work on the RV12 landing gear.