The last few flights the aircraft has been exhibiting a vibration from either the engine or prop on take off.
I have tried different TO techniques but it is somewhat intermittent. Some times slight to moderate vibration type shutter and sometimes no shutter at all.
I was thinking it was something I was doing wrong like TO to early so I extended my TO on the ground but it continues to happen to some degree.
I have an annual coming up so is there anything I should be looking for like bolts or do you think it is poor TO's. Something is wrong my gut says it is the airplane but I always question my flying technique?????

Hey Bill,

Are your sure its not your tires spinning.

Have you pulled the prop through on each cylinder and listened to each one? You might have a sticky valve

I experienced a similar concern many years ago and realized that it was my tires spooling down. Try putting on the brakes once you are flying and see if it stops.

Hey Floyd,
Now that you mention it upon reflection it might just be the tires? that never occured to me ! the engine and the prop have been excellent. I'll try Scolopax's suggestion and try the brakes after I am airborne.
Thanks

Scolopax wrote:I experienced a similar concern many years ago and realized that it was my tires spooling down. Try putting on the brakes once you are flying and see if it stops.

Exactly what I was thinking...

I've had it be the mains spinning and maybe they are tossed out of balance due to a chunk of mud or something, that vibrates good. Also for nose draggers, which your's isn't, it's common there too for a shimmy on the nose wheel to do the same thing, tends to be flat spots or wearing out bearings.

If you fly a retractable,then you get in the habit of hitting the brakes before the gear is cycled

wilm tel wrote:If you fly a retractable,then you get in the habit of hitting the brakes before the gear is cycled

Now I have heard that hitting the brakes after take off is not a good idea. The only reason is that there can be a good chance the valve stem can break off especially if you have oversize tires (I guess easier for the tire and tube to slip on the rim). Has anyone heard of this happening??

58Skylane wrote:Now I have heard that hitting the brakes after take off is not a good idea. The only reason is that there can be a good chance the valve stem can break off especially if you have oversize tires (I guess easier for the tire and tube to slip on the rim). Has anyone heard of this happening??

I've never heard of it, but I can imagine how it'd be possible.

Tadpole wrote:

58Skylane wrote:Now I have heard that hitting the brakes after take off is not a good idea. The only reason is that there can be a good chance the valve stem can break off especially if you have oversize tires (I guess easier for the tire and tube to slip on the rim). Has anyone heard of this happening??

I've never heard of it, but I can imagine how it'd be possible.

Maybe we can get Mythe Busters to do a show on this issue??

Damned treadmills!

Bill,

Do you have a constant speed prop on your Maule? If so, it could be a hub issue.

bmurrish wrote:Bill,

Do you have a constant speed prop on your Maule? If so, it could be a hub issue.

No I don't but I am leaning toward the 8.50 wheels being out of balance & or flat spot. At least I am going to take the advice of the veteran flyer's I met at flyin's and try the wheels first. Since I am going to have an annual this month I'll make the IA and A &P aware of the issue so they can take a look at all possibilities.
Thanks

Maybe the brake trick will work for you then. I do think it is an interesting theory of spinning the tire on the rim which could cause the valve stem to rip. I have never heard of this happening, but I imagine if you jammed the brakes hard enough it could. I guess I'll start teaching my students to apply pressure gently until the wheels come to a stop. Anyhow, good luck on solving your vibration. Let us know what the outcome is.

Let's think about this for a moment, folks....A tire spinning on a rim when you apply brakes after takeoff???

Hmmm, wouldn't there actually be a LOT more force applied in that way when you LAND the thing??? If they don't spin and cut the valve stem when you LAND, they sure as heck won't do so if you apply braking after takeoff to stop the tires.

I'd vote for a fouled plug, or an out of round tire. Apply brakes after takeoff before you take it to the mechanic, so you can eliminate that or prove it.

MTV

I have to agree with MTV, it does sound far fetched.

mtv wrote:Let's think about this for a moment, folks....A tire spinning on a rim when you apply brakes after takeoff???

Hmmm, wouldn't there actually be a LOT more force applied in that way when you LAND the thing??? If they don't spin and cut the valve stem when you LAND, they sure as heck won't do so if you apply braking after takeoff to stop the tires.

I'd vote for a fouled plug, or an out of round tire. Apply brakes after takeoff before you take it to the mechanic, so you can eliminate that or prove it.

MTV

You do have a good point. I didn't think about the force on the tires as you land.

After the tire suggestion I am pretty sure it is the culprit. I was thinking engine bolts loose because I have seen cracks in the heat shields on the mufflers. I am replacing the heat shields and adding hose clamps for better support.
I have to agree with MTV on the brake scenario.
As soon as I can I will let you know what is for certain but the tire balance & or flat spot seems likely. Especially since so many others have had the exact same experience.
Although I do appreciate all the inputs at least I have a list to consider.

The way I think about the tire slipping on the rim at landing versus appling brakes after take off is it depends on what kind of tires and wheels.

In some cases the wheels are lighter than the tires and in all cases the tire's diameter is much larger than the wheel's. Also,when landing the tires have to spin the wheels, and when braking after takeoff the wheels have to stop the spinning tires. That makes a difference.

To prevent slippage when landing the lighter smaller diameter wheel must spool up at the same time and speed as the heavier larger diameter tire.

When braking after take off the heavier larger diameter tire has to stop at the same instant as the smaller diameter lighter wheel.

I would say applying pressure gently on the brakes after take off is a good policy.

tcj wrote:The way I think about the tire slipping on the rim at landing versus appling brakes after take off is it depends on what kind of tires and wheels.

In some cases the wheels are lighter than the tires and in all cases the tire's diameter is much larger than the wheel's. Also,when landing the tires have to spin the wheels, and when braking after takeoff the wheels have to stop the spinning tires. That makes a difference.

To prevent slippage when landing the lighter smaller diameter wheel must spool up at the same time and speed as the heavier larger diameter tire.

When braking after take off the heavier larger diameter tire has to stop at the same instant as the smaller diameter lighter wheel.

I would say applying pressure gently on the brakes after take off is a good policy.

Well, maybe we can have some fun in the hanger this winter and do some mythe busting? Just got to come up with some kind of a testing contraption!!