Design Improvements for the Zenith 601 HDS:
Thrust Bearing of Nose Gear
Thrust Bearing of Nose Gear
The nose gear turns easily if thrust bearings are used.
These are small sleeve bearings from Aircraft Spruce with
1/4 inch ID. One drills a hole through the nose gear tube
and installs the bearings, one in front and one in back of the tube,
with an AN4 bolt and nylon stop nut. Care must be taken when tightening
the nut so that the tube does not become distorted.
Sealer must be used with the bolt and nut to prevent moisture from
entering the tube.
In addition, one must create a support
surface for the two bearings. The support surfaces are a bit indented
so that the bearings require a bit of force to move from the
straight-ahead position. We have found that without such indentation,
the rudder gradually moves off-center in flight. Ball bearings
instead of sleeve bearings must not be used since the shocks imposed
on the bearings during touchdown destroy ball bearings.