SM6-7A P-51 Rod End (ALT - ATE-6N Heavy)

SM6-7A rod ends for P-51 Mustang retract rod assembly

Part #: 73-33578-3 - ROD ASSEMBLY – LANDING GEAR RETRACTING STRUT CONNECTING

Condition: New Manufactured - 8130 Paperwork Provided

Aircraft: P-51 Mustang

Alternate Part #s: ATE-6N, Schafer ATE-6N

Located in each landing gear wheel well, between Station 50 and Station 75 of the wing. These critical components require frequent inspection due to their propensity to fail and potentially cause a gear up landing. Commonly called "Gear Links" or "Landing Gear Rod Ends."

73-33578-3-ACP - ROD ASSEMBLY – LANDING GEAR RETRACTING STRUT CONNECTING assembly is also PMA approved and available from AIRCORPS AVIATION 

AirCorps recommends these inspections / actions.

• Rod assemblies should be visually checked during pre-flight to verify there are no visible cracks, tube and rod ends are not bent, and Down Indicator Switch Special Bolt is not bent or rotated from alignment with the switch. Know your aircraft so any change will draw your attention.
• Replace any lightweight ATE-6N rod ends with the heavier new manufactured such as this SM6-7A rod end. (For information regarding rod end identification click HERE.) 
• Magnaflux testing rod ends if performing any landing gear maintenance work.
• Install a take-up spring as a preventative measure to ensure that, upon a failure, the broken rod does not wedge and prevent extension or retraction.
• Thoroughly inspect during each annual inspection

Read our Comprehensive maintenance article to learn more.

https://www.aircorpsaviation.com/mark-on-maintenance-p-51-landing-gear-retration-rod-end-failure-safety-spring-installation/

Drawing available on AirCorps Library

https://app.aircorpslibrary.com/drawing/viewer/73-33578/p-51