Hi guys,
I haven’t had the chance to lift and take the ski&wheel off to see the real damage. It looks like an axle failure. Skis are airglas 3600 installed recently as per airglas instructions.
I am now reading on the topic and I think the old steel axle might have been the problem. I know I was under a layer of slush last time I flew and had to add lots of power to come up again.
It actually collapsed or moved when I was taxiing out of the hangar on the next flight. It really happened suddenly I was having no brake on the right side with the airplane also going on the right side. So came back to the hangar to notice de damage.
Maybe the axle was already tired or even broken but not visually apparent. Everything seemed fine and in place during preflight check. Thankfully nothing bad happened on my previous landing.

Any thoughts on what you see? I feel titanium axles are going to be the next purchase.. maybe a new tyre too (only 30hours on the other one).

Cheers

You got lucky.

Did you do any sharp turns on the ground? Tight turns snap gear and axles.

Luckily you didn’t lose the aircraft.

Nothing unusual! I think it is linked with the new skis and probably the overflow on the roll that required power to come over.

Axel or bearing? The pic almost looks line a collapsed bearing and race.

Looks like the retaining clip is not set in place too. Bearings failure?

I’d bet on the bearing diagnosis. The axle and the ski axle both look straight to me.

That's what I was going to say too....bearings....but it almost looks like the inner wheel half has failed. I had that happen on a 206 once.

John

Steel axles are pretty tough, not perfect, and have failed, but.... Take things apart and report back. I’d bet bearing or wheel failure as opposed to axle.

MTV

You guys were right.
Steel axle is fine and I think they are going to stay. I’m in the market for two new wheels. Cleveland are the best? 3 or 6 bolts? What’s the difference?
I need a new tyre as well, Skis are fine, brake pads need to be changed on the damaged side.

https://www.airframesalaska.com/ABI-Whe ... s/1865.htm

This is what I used to replace the 3 piece McCauley that were original on my A185F. The basis of eligibility was a bit “involved” for the A185F. Your E model should be easier. I installed Cleveland’s using their published STC and permission letter. Then I removed the Cleveland’s and installed the ABI product. I went with the 6 bolt wheels. Only miss is that there are no screw holes if I wanted to install hub caps. They saved some money over the cost of Cleveland’s, but added a bit of weight. I think they’re worth it. The Aluminium will be a bit more corrosion resistant than the magnesium also.

Definitely go with the Airframes Alaska wheels. I installed six bolt wheels, and would do so again.

Give them a call, they have a great product and great service.

MTV

Your number one failure point is the four bolts that hold the axle to the gear leg.
-Replace before further flight.
-Replace every year or every other year depending on service.

There are about ten little details a good A&P can show you about assembling wheels for long term performance, like how to torque wheel through bolts properly or preemptive corrosion proofing.

I’ve seen this failure twice and both times it was improper assembly/installation.

Note the wheel bolt where there is not proper thread engagement in the nut in one foto.

Funny story, I came out of Seattle, Tramco, as a bad ass composite repair guy, find myself on my knees doing a wheel inspection on a Seratoga for Pen Air, I finish a main wheel and the guy working with my comes to check it out and it’s all wrong. Was a big eye opener for me and my ego, ok so I don’t know it all... he sat down and showed me how to install a wheel bearing but mostly beating it into my head that this was not a boat trailer or my Big Red.

Rocket

Oh wait, I did a write up on assembling wheels, AK 10x10’s if I recall, here on the BCP some time ago.

Search my comments and you’ll find it cause I can’t do FA in this phone

Rocket

Definitely replace those four axle bolts while you've got things apart. That's the typical failure point, not steel axles, though anything's possible.

If someone can find Rocket's write up, I'd like to see it as well. No findum with search.

MTV

The 4 bolts were replaced less than a month ago when we did the install.
Thanks for the advice I’ll be changing them frequently in the future!
I am also looking for the write up on wheels..

Do you guys know how good of a fit it is to to buy the Alaskan wheels and keep my Cleveland’s brake? I think I red it is direct replacement. Does it fit well in practice? Do I have a risk of having my brake caliper to close from the tyre? Is the risk diminishing if I go 6 bolts instead of 3?
Should I buy a shim?

Thanks!

400888 wrote:The 4 bolts were replaced less than a month ago when we did the install.
Thanks for the advice I’ll be changing them frequently in the future!
I am also looking for the write up on wheels..

Do you guys know how good of a fit it is to to buy the Alaskan wheels and keep my Cleveland’s brake? I think I red it is direct replacement. Does it fit well in practice? Do I have a risk of having my brake caliper to close from the tyre? Is the risk diminishing if I go 6 bolts instead of 3?
Should I buy a shim?

Thanks!

ABI wheels (both 3 and 6 bolt) are a direct fit with Cleveland brakes, no issue. The ABI packages come with the rotor for larger tires - no spacer needed. I have an ABI / Cleveland mashup on my plane right now. Dimensionally the 3 and 6 bolt wheels do not change spacing or anything, they are a direct swap to each other and to Clevelands.

If your calipers aren’t in great shape, consider the entire ABI wheel/brake kit. It is $1850 for wheels, rotors, calipers, pads, all hardware which saves about $800 over buying the wheels and calipers a la carte. Not needed if your calipers are in good condition though.

rocket wrote:Oh wait, I did a write up on assembling wheels, AK 10x10’s if I recall, here on the BCP some time ago.

Search my comments and you’ll find it cause I can’t do FA in this phone

Rocket

This what you are talking about?

https://backcountrypilot.org/forum/buil ... eels-11339