Nose Gear Strut Crack

[SWeidemann]

Ref: Hairline Crack in Vixen Nosegear

I discovered what I am pretty certain is a crack outside the weld where the vertical piece is welded to the angled strut of my nose gear. It showed itself as "cracked paint", however after scraping the paint off right over the suspicious fracture, it looks like a crack. I view ANY cracks as not good. It is not a large one, but I think it will only get worse. Has anyone else had something like this show up? If so, what do you do? Is there a welded repair available, or do you replace? I suspect there may be some kind of heat treatment that won't work with welding, but maybe not?

Any experience or ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks much,

Skot

[n85ae]

The weld bead looks very "Mig" like, which it is common to have brittle area
like this. Likely you can take it to any good welder, and have it rewelded and
fixed. I do a good bit of oxy/acetylene, and would not hesitate to reweld it
myself if it were mine. Then just make it a periodic inspection item. You'd
likely never have another problem there.

Oxy/Acetylene, or Tig would be easy to fix this with.

Jeff

[Pilot4Life]

"If so, what do you do?"

Remove nose strut....install tail wheel!

Seriously though...looks like an easy rewelding fix. Best of luck to you

[Paul Z]

"If so, what do you do?"

Remove nose strut....install tail wheel!

Seriously though...looks like an easy rewelding fix. Best of luck to you

That's what I did!

[Paul Z]

I'd go to a certified welder and give his some cash to repair, an then go to a Powder Coat Paint shop give him some more cash and than reinstall and go flying .

[PapuaPilot]

Can you think of any reason this crack has occurred? Have there been hard landings, rough strips or other things that have given the nose gear a beating? Has this happened to other nose wheel Kitfox planes?

I wouldn't hesitate to have it welded. You could even consider adding a doubler to that area to beef it up a little.