I noticed in several pictures of AirGlas forks that it appears some folks have installed some type of bumper on the nose strut—I assume to prevent bottoming out or prop strike. Would some one explain? It looks like a rubber hose with a clamp! Thanks.

Yes, many mechanics (including me) usually install a piece of 2” hose that would provide about 3/8” of cushion should all the air leak out of the strut while in flight. Theoretically it would protect the airframe (and the pilot’s heart rate!) from the banging that would happen landing on a rough strip.

There are operators that are firmly against this practice, I’ve heard rumors of moisture being trapped between the hose and chrome which eventually could corrode the lower strut tube. I mitigate this by periodically squirting some Corrosion X in there.

Halestorm wrote:Yes, many mechanics (including me) usually install a piece of 2” hose that would provide about 3/8” of cushion should all the air leak out of the strut while in flight. Theoretically it would protect the airframe (and the pilot’s heart rate!) from the banging that would happen landing on a rough strip.

There are operators that are firmly against this practice, I’ve heard rumors of moisture being trapped between the hose and chrome which eventually could corrode the lower strut tube. I mitigate this by periodically squirting some Corrosion X in there.

This ^^^^

If you don't have one of these "cushions" on your nose strut, you need one. One day, you'll plop down somewhere and the strut will be a bit "low", and bang!! That not only doesn't sound good, it can damage things.

It's the easiest piece of preventive maintenance you can do.

I did it and it saved my firewall at one point. I also did it to limit the pitting that was occuring on the windward side after I began using a utility fork. No pits below the clamp incidentally. It comes off after the dirt flying is done. You can use a bit of red grease on a rag for concerns about moisture.

The plumbing couplers at home Depot worked fine.

I’ve seen these many times but have never looked closely. I assume everyone is splitting a piece of hose and wrapping it around opposed to disassembling the nose strut. Does anyone have a picture?

It’s done both ways.

I’ve always been disassembling the strut anyways as part of the fork installation so I slide a piece of 2” hose on while it’s apart.

Otherwise you simply split the hose and hold it on with a couple of worm clamps.

It’s super simple insurance.

Thank you! I go in for annual next week. This thread has good timing!

I have used it both ways, ….. much cleaner better in my opinion using a piece of hose that is installed when strut is taken apart.ie not a split piece of hose

And, by the way, this modification's utility is NOT limited to the Airglas nose fork.....it works equally well on stock nose forks....and every one should wear one of these.

I installed a piece of hose on my 182 when installed the Airglass fork. Had my A&P working on some finalizing parts as this was a 3 year rebuild project from a barn find. Showed up at hangar one day and the hose was gone. WTF? He said he would not allow it. “You could have asked me before you removed it”? Our relationship was short lived afterward…

I like to split the hose and install it so I can take them off at annual and give everything a good clean. Doesn't take long for corrosion to happen in there.