SonexBuilders.net

I was wondering if anyone else has had issues with the nose gear bending at the forks? Have you done anything to correct the issue?

Steve
Waiex, Jab 3300

Yes. I bent mine at the forks. Like a grocery cart that was slammed down. Made my plane pull to the right during taxiing. I had thought it was a grabbing brake or wheel bearing.

After one flight, I left the plane outside the hangar to go to the bathroom which is at the end of the row of hangars. On walking back to the plane from a distance I noticed the wheel canting to the side. Not really noticeable while doing a preflight up close.

Seems one of my later landings which wasn't much to write home about did it in. I remember one where I was exploring the edge of my reserve lift gauge and plopped down rather hard. Probably that one.

I had intended to convert to a tail dragger and had purchased everything necessary to make the change but was having too much fun flying.

The episode forced the issue. I'm now a happy taildragger.

I also bent my nose gear after a hard landing and had to completely replace it. The forks were too bent to attempt straightening. As I look at the bent gear I wonder if there is a way to strengthen it. Haven't made a hard landing since then, good teaching moment.

I bent my Onex nose gear in a snow bank. I ordered tubing from McMaster Carr and a friend welded the fork on. $50.00 versus several hundred from Sonex.