The dampers are made by Alf Hagon (we used to call him Ali-Alf) who does
motorcycle dampers and in my experience the characteristics are good, the
longevity less so - I wouldn't have used them in my racing days, but I would
(and do) on the road.
There are plenty of other damper manufacturers - Ohlins being particularly
good, but there are others up to the task: it's a case of matching length,
stroke, diameter where it matters,fixings, and damping to the originals (in
good shape) - you will probably be able to specify adjustable compression
and rebound damping, and gas pressurised with a remote reservoir would be
better for a variety of reasons.
However you definitely gets what you pay for - I'd would guess a set of
Ohlins to cost more than $500, but then if they last 1000 hours (before
rebuild - unlike the hagons) and you can tailor them to really suit your
style (!) it would seem to be worth it.
Miles
----- Original Message -----
From: "Terry Seaver" <terrys@cisco.com>
Subject: Bouncy landings
> A few weeks ago my build partner, David DeFord,
> and I were out doing some pattern work and were
> having problems with our landings. The plane was
> bouncing rather badly, even on what would usually
> be considered a good touch-down. We later
> removed the main gear shock assembly and
> inspected the dampers. We had borrowed
> a pair of new ones from a fellow builder, and
> compared them to our old ones, which have
> about 100 hours on them now. Our old ones
> felt the same as the new ones, but we noticed
> some oily fluid at the bottom of one.
>
> We replaced the old dampers with the new
> ones and then went out to check the landings.
> The bounce was gone, the dampers really
> work well.
> I just hope our bad one was an anomaly,
> not the norm, as this could get expensive,
> at about $250 every 100 hours or so (not
> counting the half day it takes to replace them).
>
> Has anyone else had this happen?
> If these do wear out this fast, is there
> an alternative damper that might last
> longer?
>
> Terry Seaver
> A135 / N135TD
>
>
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