Adapting simulated avionics, Airframe, Airframe structure reassembly, Converting original avionics

Exchanging landing gear lever wheels

Boeing landing gear lever after installation of FDS NG-style smaller wheel knob.
Boeing landing gear lever after installation of FDS NG-style smaller wheel knob.

Having previously installed my original Boeing landing gear lever, I decided to remove the old, yellowed ‘large’ wheel typical of the -200, -300 and -400 models, and exchange it for a smaller one more typical of the NG series.

For the small one, I decided to use the wheel and bracket from an FDS landing gear lever that I had left over from the disassembly of their MIP.  This was easily separated after removing four hex screws.

Drilling out rivets from original Boeing landing gear lever with large, classic style wheel knob.
Drilling out rivets from original Boeing landing gear lever with large, classic style wheel knob.

The Boeing bracket holding the wheel was riveted in place, fortunately with solid rivets instead of blind rivets, which are generally much harder to remove. I was able to quickly drill out the rivets and remove the old bracket/wheel combination .

Tapping Boeing landing gear lever to accommodate FDS smaller, NG-style wheel knob holder.
Tapping Boeing landing gear lever to accommodate FDS smaller, NG-style wheel knob holder.

Installing the FDS bracket/wheel required tapping some threaded holes to accept the hex screws. This was a quick modification that looks really good in the end, even if replacing the rivets with screws is not completely authentic.