N4094 Landing Gear Retract Spring

[Mike Magnani]

I installed the Left Main Landing Gear today and am wondering if anyone has a safe and sane way to stretch the Retract Spring so it will reach the mounting hole in the spar. I broke my wrist taking it apart, so I'll need to be a little more careful.

[Mike Magnani]

Thanks to my good friend Scott Royall, N4172, I was able to fabricate a tool that he invented and was gracious enough to share with me. It took a couple of tries but I was able to obtain the proper orientation of the end fittings and get the retract spring properly extended. The left main gear is now permanently installed. The last picture shows the right hand spring with the tool still installed, waiting for the right main gear.
Many thanks to Scott for his continuing support and willingness to listen to my tirades as my project seemingly takes forever to complete. It's nice having a buddy to share thoughts and ideas with as our two Mite projects grind along toward an eventual two-ship formation.