Piper Cherokee PA-28-140 (Oleo Struts)

[rpor...@iamerica.net]

I'm considering purchasing a Cherokee 140 from an individual. During my
test flight I did 3 landings which were uneventful. However, during the
taxi after the last landing I noticed one wing was lower than the other.
When we arrived at the hangar I saw that the right strut had "collapsed".
The owner said that the aircraft had only had 10 hours of flight in 4
years and that the air charge must have gotten low. He charged the strut
with air from a compressor, but this required about 150 psi.

My questions: Is it uncommon for a strut to "collapse"
Should I insist on having the strut rebuilt? And if so
what does this entail as far as labor and cost?

Thanks

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[Ray Andraka]

The struts on cherokees are a perennial pain in the patoot. You might
find that on the next flight it works fine. Rebuilding the strut is
fairly simple as long as the chrome is not badly pitted (if it is, you
should replace it because it will just tear up new seals). The rebuild
takes an hour or two of labor and a couple of special O rings. Not a
big deal as far as aircraft maintenance goes. Unfortunately, even a
freshly rebuilt strut will occasionally go flat for whatever reason.

One tip, to keep your rebuilds to a minimum, you should wipe any dirt
off the struts after flying and again during your preflight. Once the
dirt gets inside it tends to tear up the O-Rings. Also, the struts
should really be charged with nitrogen rather than compressed air. The
Air tends to oxdize the hydraulic fluid and can dry out the O-rings.

-Ray A. N3351W

[Terray and Pam Wood]

With only 10 hours of flight time in 4 years, I would be alot more
concerned with the condition of the engine than the struts.

Terray

rpor...@iamerica.net wrote in article <8758072...@dejanews.com>...

[nos...@usa.net]

"Terray and Pam Wood" <woo...@voicenet.com> wrote:

>With only 10 hours of flight time in 4 years, I would be alot more
>concerned with the condition of the engine than the struts.

amen have comprsssion checked carefully

>> When we arrived at the hangar I saw that the right strut had "collapsed".
>> The owner said that the aircraft had only had 10 hours of flight in 4
>> years and that the air charge must have gotten low. He charged the strut
>> with air from a compressor, but this required about 150 psi.

air should not be used according to my mechanic only nitrogen. also strut seal
may be going. Granvilles may fix it "short term" but eventually o-ring seals may
need to be replaced.