They're worth every penny. I've installed them on many aircraft with excellent results.
Considering that failure of the fluid filled dampers is a slow process and that a failing shimmy damper makes the rest of the components in the nose gear wear out at an accelerated rate the Lord shimmy damper is a cost effective replacement.
If you're operating in winter conditions it is almost a must.
I feel that the shimmy damper does not matter. Its job is to hide shimmies not prevent them. If your strut is shimmed correctly you should have no problems. Keep the old one which can be serviced/ overhauled cheaply.
I just purchased new O rings for my C-182 old Shimmy Damper and plan to replace them. $5 overhaul and it looks very easy. To open the damper, Do not try to pry it open, just put some air pressure in the oil filler hole and the unit is supposed to pop apart.
Where did you find the O-rings to rebuild your shimmy damper? I am having a devil of a time finding them for my 172. I have the part numbers (AN622786 & AN6227818) from Cessna manual but can't find them anywhere. Tried Aircraft Spruce and internet with no luck!!
flyboy
The part numbers you are referring to are: AN6227"B"6 and "B"18, these part numbers cross referrence to MS28775-011 and MS28775-213 respectively. These can be had from AC Spruce or any local aircraft parts supplier cheap.
$700 for it, WOW! Is it really worth if over an overhauling the origional Cessna unit?
Although I have a serious problem, I cannot remove the cap. Tried tapping it, air in the oil fill hole, even staking it on the shaft inside the oil fill hole. Now it is soaking in Kroil...
