How to Service Aircraft Main Struts

Fluid Level

• 1

  Jack the aircraft.

• 2

  Remove the valve cap from the strut and press the valve core to release the nitrogen charge from the strut.

• 3

  Remove the valve core with a wrench.

• 4

  Attach the rubber hose to the threaded section that holds the valve core with the hose clamp.

• 5

  Fill the 2 quart container with the correct hydraulic fluid for the strut and lace the other end of the rubber hose in it. Cover the container with a rag to control any spills.

• 6

  Slowly lift the strut by hand or with an additional jack to release any additional air from it. Lower the strut again to suck the hydraulic fluid from the bucket into the strut. Continue to slowly raise and lower the strut until you cannot hear air bubbles from the container when the strut is completely compressed.

Adding Nitrogen

• 7

  Remove the rubber hose and reinsert the valve core while the strut is still completely compressed.

• 8

  Lower the strut from its compressed position.

• 9

  Use a pressurized nitrogen source to inflate the strut to the proper pressure for your aircraft.