Champ Help

R

Rob

New member
I have just begun, and I mean "just" begun restoration of my Champ 7FC. You ask, how far are you, well ... I cannot get the main gear, right wheel off. It will not turn to even move my plane into the shop. Brake or bearing frozen I would guess. I removed the wheel pant, the cotter pin the retainer, (the three screw plate) and it will not come off, should it?? or am I missing something ???

Thanks

Rob

rdunlap@execnet.net
 
I guess you've already thought of the areas that come to my mind; either the bearings are rusted solid and stuck to the axle, or the brake shoes are rusted to the drum. Unless, of course, it has disk brakes - if so, you *did* remove the caliper bolts, didn't you? Have you removed the brake line to make sure there's no pressure holding the brake?

I have serial # 7FC-183 but she now has a tailwheel.

Jon B.
 
Jon,

Thanks. I have to admit, I have no idea what I am doing yet... I just removed the pin that was in the outer, what I am calling axle stub. Then there were three retaining screws that held on a plate that went over the axle stub. I can see the bearings ?? I am assuming I am just removing the tire ?? I did disconnect the brake line, as for disk. I think the bird is too old for them. I have owned her for over 30 years. I am going to spray the bearings with PB Blaster and see if that helps ??? Sledge hammer seems drastic..

I guess you've already thought of the areas that come to my mind; either the bearings are rusted solid and stuck to the axle, or the brake shoes are rusted to the drum. Unless, of course, it has disk brakes - if so, you *did* remove the caliper bolts, didn't you? Have you removed the brake line to make sure there's no pressure holding the brake?

I have serial # 7FC-183 but she now has a tailwheel.

Jon B.[/quote]
 
Rob-

The cotter pin safeties the retaining nut which MUST be removed to pull the wheel off the axle. The three screws you removed hold on a wheel bearing retainer plate behind which there should be a felt dust seal.

Tom-
 
Hi Rob,
You should see the brake disc if it is disc brakes. Does the wheel turn free or does it have some resistance when you try to turn it? If it is shoe brakes it will have a drum and brake shoes , anyway if it is shoe brakes after you remove the cotter pin screw the axle nut off and the tire and drum should come off as an assembly, if the shoes are adjusted to tight it will be hard to remove or if the drum has a lot of wear and a lip inside the drum it would be hard to remove also.I put a set of brakes on a 7AC a few weeks back someone had been adjusting the brake shoes closer to the drum with the cable. The linings came from Univair they had to be drlled and counter sunk for the rivets. Make sure you check the AD's there's one on the rims if I remember correctly.


Woodie
N29763
 
Thanks, but.... the wheel does not turn at all......... I have taken everything off I can take off. I can not get the thing to budge. Any way to release the brake adjusters externally or take the whole damned thing off so I can work on it with out standing on my head... Thanks Guys for the trying.

quote="wjwilson2000"]Hi Rob,
You should see the brake disc if it is disc brakes. Does the wheel turn free or does it have some resistance when you try to turn it? If it is shoe brakes it will have a drum and brake shoes , anyway if it is shoe brakes after you remove the cotter pin screw the axle nut off and the tire and drum should come off as an assembly, if the shoes are adjusted to tight it will be hard to remove or if the drum has a lot of wear and a lip inside the drum it would be hard to remove also.I put a set of brakes on a 7AC a few weeks back someone had been adjusting the brake shoes closer to the drum with the cable. The linings came from Univair they had to be drlled and counter sunk for the rivets. Make sure you check the AD's there's one on the rims if I remember correctly.


Woodie
N29763[/quote]
 
I assume it has cable brakes, if so all you need do is take the cable alose from the brake lever on the back side of the wheel and brake assembly. Once the cable is disconnected the lever can be moved to where the brakes are as lose as they will go. I really don't beleive the bearings are holding it on so tight, bad wheel bearings usually get lose rather than tighter. Check and make sure the parking brake is not set before you losen anything!!!! If all this fails to losen it take a hammer and hit the tire not the wheel and see if you get any results. The 7AC I replaced the brkaes on did not have an adjuster like a car does that you can tighten or losen. I think this should get your tire of , like I said make sure that parking brake is released . All the parking brake does is pulls both brake cables at once to hold the brakes. If the brkes are good and the parking brake pulled secure you want move the tire and wheel neither will you remove it.

Woodie
N29763
 
Sorry but I have Hydraulic brakes. I have no idea on how to get this wheel off. I am currently soaking the whole thing in PB Blaster for lack of.....

Woodie
N29763[/quote]
 
Tom,

They are drum brakes which seem to be frozen, stuck, etc, Any ideas on how I can release them to get the @#$% wheel off...
I am getting pretty frustrated. The first step in restoring my plane is to get it into my shop, and I can't even do that.
Thanks


Tom said:
Rob-

Are they hydraullic disc or drum brakes?

Tom-
Click to expand...
 
Rob,

I suggest that you order a maintenance manual and a parts manual for your aircraft, and that you take a trip to the local airport and befriend a mechanic. Tell him you'll buy him lunch, or a six-pack, or whatever kind of bribe it takes, if he'll stop in and show you a few pointers every now and then. The brake system could be "anything" on an aircraft that old, and might not be "standard". You need someone who can look at it and 'decipher the system'. Without pictures none of us here can help all that much, regardless of how much we want to.

Sorry, Wish I could help?!?!?
Rareblair
 
Sounds like something I should do. Any ideas on locating a maintenance manual and or parts list for the Champ 7FC ?????
Thanks Guys for all the helpful ideas. As I go along I am sure I will be back.
rareblair said:
Rob,

I suggest that you order a maintenance manual and a parts manual for your aircraft, and that you take a trip to the local airport and befriend a mechanic. Tell him you'll buy him lunch, or a six-pack, or whatever kind of bribe it takes, if he'll stop in and show you a few pointers every now and then. The brake system could be "anything" on an aircraft that old, and might not be "standard". You need someone who can look at it and 'decipher the system'. Without pictures none of us here can help all that much, regardless of how much we want to.

Sorry, Wish I could help?!?!?
Rareblair
Click to expand...
 
Maintenance and Parts manuals are available through the Club; check your Publication Catalog for a list of books for your model. If you need assistance, email me directly: robert@bellanca-championclub.com.

Regards,
 
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