Landing Gear Ooops

[jchw]

When pulling out of the yard, I "discovered" that the curb side landing gear slide/foot legwas not fully retracted (yes, my negligence), drug, and brought me to a stop. I've used a sledge hammer just above the foot to try to straighten out "everything", but I still can't get the foot/leg slide to go the last 6" up in to the fully retracted position.

Upon closer examination inside the front compartment it appears that the lower clamp on the whole mechanism is slightly bent backwards (corresponding to my forward direction of travel).

Question: Is it possible to remove the whole assembly from the Monty, remove the foot/leg slide, and use my trusty sledge hammer to get the upper housing/mechanism portion back in proper alignment so the lower foot/let go back to the fully retracted and locked position?

Or should I shell out the $150 for a new 29 1/2" to get a new upper slide?

Suggestions??

[twindman]

You can try the sledge approach but my guess is it won't work perfectly when all done. But if you can get it to raise more, at least you can pull the unit. It is pretty easy to remove the assembly and I think (at one time) the supply company was Venture and they were good to deal with.

[BB_TX]

You might try removing the bent part and take it to a metal shop and see if they can straighten it using a hydraulic press. I think that would work better than a large hammer.

[mlh]

Forget the sledge hammer instead get out the $150. I don't think you can straighten it so it doesn't bind with a sledge hammer or press. I've been in the machine shop business for oh about 50 years.
Lynwood

[DQDick]

I agree. Would be very surprised to see the sledge hammer approach not result in more problems.

[jchw]

Oh well... went the $150 route. Thanks folks for the input!!

[mlh]

Some times it's just best to bite the bullet and do what's best.
Lynwood

[1retired06]

Not much else you can do