Guide & FAQ

What titanium gear is, how it installs, how to look after it, and how to set up a big tailwheel. These notes come from The Landing Gear Works. For technical data, use the Cessna 180/185 service manual (Section 5) and the instructions that come with the parts.

Why titanium?

How much lighter is it?: A titanium leg weighs about 23 lb (heavy duty) or 21 lb (light duty). Cessna's steel legs weigh about 37 lb (185 heavy duty) and 34 lb (light duty). That's up to 14 lb per side, and over 30 lb off a 185 with both legs changed.
How strong is it?: Up to 50% stronger than Cessna steel gear. It flexes further, carries more weight and springs back to its original shape.
Does it lose its spring like steel?: No. The titanium alloy is rated beyond 100 million flex cycles. The spring steel in Cessna gear is rated around 100,000. That's why old steel gear sags and titanium doesn't.
Will it rust or corrode?: It won't rust, because titanium contains no meaningful amount of iron. Under normal conditions it won't corrode either. Only strong industrial acids or unusual cleaning agents attack it (see FAA AC 43.13-1B, Chapter 6, paragraph 6-181).
What about heat and cold?: Titanium shrugs off weather extremes. It won't deform in heat or cold, which is why it's recommended for ski planes and hot, dusty strips alike.
Why does the leg look thicker than steel?: Titanium bends differently from steel. To give the same feel as Cessna steel gear, the leg is made a constant 0.875 inch thick.
Is it hard to make?: Very. Titanium resists abrasion so well that it's slow and difficult to machine. That's a big part of why so few shops make titanium gear. The Landing Gear Works is the only FAA PMA holder for 180/185 titanium main gear.

Installation notes

Will it bolt into my existing gear box?: Almost. The gear box's outer corners and width need opening up by as much as 1/8 inch. The Landing Gear Works supplies a template and instructions for this with every set.
Can I reuse my shims and wedges?: Yes, your existing gear shims and wedges work. Titanium wedge shims (XP0441023-2) are available if you want to replace them.
Can I reuse my axles?: Yes. A titanium axle (XP1441003-11) is also available if you want to upgrade.
Can I reuse my bolts?: No. Titanium gear must be installed with the hardware listed on the STC. The BK 20 bolt kit comes with every set. Ski axles need longer hardware, so tell us if you're on skis.
Does it work with a P. Ponk beef-up kit?: Yes, it's designed to. Expect some minor adjusting during installation. On heavy-duty gear with a P. Ponk kit, the outer gear-box bracket needs modifying or replacing.
Do I need new brackets?: Only in some cases. If you're installing heavy-duty titanium legs with Cessna aluminum outboard brackets, replace them with steel or titanium brackets (XP0713495-611 / -622, or -611T / -622T). Light-duty legs use the -61 / -62 brackets (or -61T / -62T in titanium).
What about the brake lines?: Titanium legs have no dimple for the brake line clip. Bonded titanium clips are used instead: .890" (XP0741001-202) on heavy-duty legs and .810" (XP0741001-205) on light-duty legs, two per leg. Hard stainless brake line sets that replace the soft aluminum lines are also available. They're pending PMA approval and need an installer logbook entry.
What comes in the box?: Both legs, the BK 20 bolt kit, the FAA STC, the gear-box template and the installation instructions.
Is it good for ski planes?: Highly recommended. Titanium's resistance to fatigue suits the repeated loads of ski flying.

Care & finish

Does it need special cleaning?: No. Clean it as you would the rest of the airplane.
Does it come painted?: No. The legs are delivered as bare, brushed titanium and don't need paint. Painting or polishing can be arranged on request.
Can I paint or powder coat it?: Yes. Paint, powder coat or polish it however you like, with no restrictions.
What happens if I leave it bare?: It stays bright for a few years, then dulls slightly as the surface absorbs oxygen. A polish brings the shine back.
Can I weld or machine it?: No. Any welding or machining makes the leg unserviceable. Avoid contact with cadmium, chromium and high heat, which can make titanium brittle.
What if I nick a leg?: Titanium is very resistant to nicks. If you do find one, contact us and we'll have The Landing Gear Works assess it.
Can I trade in my steel gear?: It's considered case by case, depending on the type and condition of your steel gear. Ask us when you order.

Identifying your main gear

Not sure which legs are on the airplane now? Part numbers and serial numbers are stamped on the end or inside of the axle attach area. These measurements also help:

Gear	Part numbers	Thickness	Weight / leg	Notes
Early Cessna 170	0541114	5/8" (.640–.685)	29–30 lb	Interchangeable left/right; wheels aft
Late 170B	0541118-2 (R), -3 (L)	11/16" (.665–.685)	29–30 lb	Dimple for brake line clip; wheels aft
Early Cessna 180	0741001-1, -3 (L) · -2, -4 (R)	11/16" (.665–.685)	32–33 lb	-1/-2 wheels aft, -3/-4 wheels forward
Late 180/185 steel	0741001-5, -7 (L) · -6, -8 (R); PP0741001-7/-8	.750" (.745–.760)	36–37 lb	Wheels forward; STC SA00800SE (PMA)
Titanium	XP0741001-77 (L) · -88 (R)	.875" constant	22–23 lb	Wheels forward; bonded brake line clip; P. Ponk compatible; STC SA01087SE

One quirk: some mid-1950s 180 "heavy-duty" legs (-5/-6) measure only .700–.710". A new heavy-duty replacement (.750") is stiffer, so replacing just one leg can make the airplane list beyond the 3½-inch limit in the service manual. Plan on replacing both legs.

Tailwheel guide

Why a bigger tailwheel?

Early taildraggers dragged a skid. Castering tailwheels came later, and oversize tailwheels later still, for heavier airplanes and rougher strips. A 10- or 14-inch tailwheel doesn't sink into soft ground the way an 8-inch wheel does. It cuts blowouts in hot, dusty country, needs less power to taxi (which saves the prop from rock dings) and lifts the tail clear of rocks. Owners who fly beaches, sand bars and gravel strips say they wouldn't be without one.

Set-up

Factory Scott and McCauley tailwheels leave the factory snug, and checking periodically that they stay snug keeps them working for years. Standard 8-inch tailwheels use springs inside the assembly to damp shimmy. Bigger tailwheels need more bearing pre-load to get the same damping.

Quick check: with the tail jacked up and the tailwheel unlocked, it shouldn't swing more than 5–10° left and right. You can feel this through the rudder pedals. If it swings more, it needs adjusting. Keep Landing Gear Works tailwheels at 65–70 PSI for hard surfaces.

Using a tailwheel lock

A lock stops shimmy altogether. The technique comes from big-tailwheel airplanes like the DC-3 and Beech 18:

Taxi into position, lock the tailwheel and roll forward slowly. Rock the rudder pedals slightly to seat the lock.
Take off normally, and leave the lock alone until you're slow and in control after landing.
About 50 feet before you turn off the runway, unlock and wiggle the tail to release any side load, then turn off.

Taxiing in a strong crosswind? Leaving the lock engaged saves your brakes. Caution: never force a turn with the tailwheel locked. That can damage the lock mechanism.

Without a lock

On a crosswind or hard-surface landing, crab on final, roll the upwind main on first and keep the tailwheel off the ground while you're cross-controlled. Center the rudder just before it touches. For wheel landings, get onto the mains, slow down and let the tail come down with the rudder neutral and the upwind wing low. Good technique goes a long way toward preventing shimmy.

Ordering & approvals

Why do you need the owner's name and tail number?: The parts are installed under The Landing Gear Works' STCs, and the STC holder gives written permission for each airplane. That permission form needs the aircraft owner's name, the model and the tail number before parts can ship.
What approvals do the parts have?: The Landing Gear Works holds FAA PMA PQ5262NM for titanium and steel main gear for the 180/185 and for 180/185/188 tailwheel modifications. The titanium main gear is installed under STC SA01087SE and the tailwheels under STC SA2359NM. EASA STCs cover the titanium main gear, steel main gear and tail gear.
Are prices final?: Prices shown are list prices. We confirm price, stock, ship date and freight on your invoice before anything is charged.
How long does it take?: Many parts are in stock. Others ship within a few weeks. We'll give you a date when we confirm your order.