D-501A Lang Tailwheel (Tire Replacement)
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This is a fairly simple process but there are a couple of common tools needed. A large 6” or bigger vise (mounted to the bench). Something that you can put over the vise jaws (thin alum or steel) to protect the hubs from damage form the jaws. You will also need a nice large flat screw driver and some soapy water and a clean rag.
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Assuming you have removed the tire/wheel assembly from the Lang put the assembly into the vise and rotate it so that two of the hub bolts are accessible with the screw driver. Tighten the vise to take a little pressure off of the bolts, Loosen (don’t remove) the two bolts. Rotate the wheel to access the other bolt…remove it. Rotate and remove the first two bolts. Remove from vise.
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Remove the hubs from the tire, clean and inspect the hubs.
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Lay the hub (inner) with the Garlock seal in it flat on the bench top. Take your new tire (notice the nubs in the tire and the grooves in the hub). Apply soapy water to your shop towel and wet the inside of the tire and nubs. Place the tire over the hub and align the nubs and grooves. Press down firmly so the nubs enter the grooves. Soapy water the exposed tire nubs again and align and push on the remaining hub.
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Now the aggravating part. Pick up the tire hub assembly (keeping them for the most part together) and look through one of the bolt holes to check alignment with the other hubs holes. They should be fairly close. Insert one of the bolts. Make sure you are inserting the bolt through the hub cap side, and by manipulating the hubs push the bolt all the way through. This will help align the holes. Insert them now too (no nuts yet).
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Put the wheel assembly into the vise with two bolt heads accessible as before. Tighten the vise to bring the hubs together (tight!). Now that the pressure is off the bolts, you can install the two nuts on the backside. Rotate the wheel and install nut three. Snug them all loosely then retighten the vise and finish tightening the bolts.