FAA Aviation Mechanic Airframe (AMA)Landing Gear SystemsHard
A technician replacing a main landing gear shock strut assembly must correctly install the component that transmits steering loads to the wheel while allowing the strut piston to extend and compress. This component is the
- Aaxle sleeve
- Btrunnion pin
- Ctorque link (scissor) assembly
- Ddrag brace
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. torque link (scissor) assembly
Torque links, also called scissor links, connect the upper (fixed) cylinder to the lower (moving) piston of the shock strut. They transmit steering/braking torque to the wheel while allowing the strut to telescope during compression and extension, and they also prevent the piston from rotating.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. An axle sleeve is not a standard landing gear torque-transmitting component.
- B. The trunnion pin is the pivot point for gear retraction, not the torque transfer link.
- D. The drag brace supports fore-and-aft loads and helps lock the gear extended, but doesn't transmit torque during telescoping.
Torque Link (Scissor) Assembly
A hinged linkage connecting the upper strut cylinder to the lower piston, transmitting torque to prevent piston rotation while allowing strut compression/extension.
- Prevents wheel/piston from rotating within the cylinder
- Allows telescoping motion of the shock strut
- Also used to actuate shimmy dampers or steering feedback in some designs
Memory trick: Torque link scissors keep the strut from spinning like a loose bolt