---
title: Wheels, Tires and Axles
description: Wheels, Tires and Axles. Builder questions and answers from Van's Builder Technical Support.
---
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October 5, 2026
# Wheels, Tires and Axles
## Builder Tech Support answers on wheels, tires and axles
This article collects Builder Technical Support answers on wheels, tires and axles.
### Drawings for older airframes (RV-6A nose wheel fairing example)
If you bought a partially completed older RV (for example, an RV-6A with un-installed nose wheel fairing components), Builder Tech Support can send drawings and instructions for legacy components. Provide:
- Airframe model and serial number
- List of components you have on hand
- Photos of the parts
### RV-10 tire tube manufacturing defect
If a tire tube fails due to a deep stamping mark from manufacturing (oval stamp with a date code, deep enough to create a thin-wall section that bursts), this is a tube supplier issue rather than an RV-specific problem. Keep the failed tube for inspection, photograph the defect, and contact Builder Tech Support — we forward defect reports to the tube supplier. Replace the tube before flying.
### Cracked nose wheel fairing brackets
Cracks emanating from the axle bolt holes on the U-1013C-L and U-1013C-R brackets have been reported on RV-10s with around 1,000+ hours. If you find cracks, replace both brackets (left and right). If the parts aren't visible in the webstore, contact Builder Tech Support and we'll set up the order.
### Camber on the RV-14A nose tire
Approximately 1.5 degrees of camber on the RV-14A nose tire during initial fairing fit-up has been reported. Check that the aircraft is level fore/aft and laterally, with proper weight on the gear. Some apparent camber resolves when the strut is loaded normally. If camber persists, document with measurements and photos and contact Builder Tech Support.
### RV-12 nose wheel fairing cracks at delivery
Small cracks in the finish kit nose wheel fairing on RV-12iS have been seen out of the box. Send photos to Builder Tech Support - if the cracks are beyond cosmetic, the part will be replaced under warranty.
### Tow pin and fairing opening dimensions
For tow bar manufacturers asking nose wheel tow pin diameter and nose fairing opening size, contact Builder Tech Support with the specific airframe and gear revision - dimensions vary by configuration.
### Nose wheel weight limits
If you have an early RV-7A kit with the manual showing 375 lbs max nose wheel weight, and you've upgraded to the new heavy nose gear with elastomer pads, the limit does not automatically change. Operate to the published limit in your kit's documentation until Van's issues revised guidance for your serial number.
### LP4-4 rivets too short (Sect 32 page 03)
On RV-12iS section 32 page 03, riveting F-01233B-L-1 to F-1233A to F-01233B-R-1, if the LP4-4 rivets aren't long enough for the stack, do not substitute a longer rivet without confirming. Contact Builder Tech Support with photos and your builder number - the right call may be LP4-5 if grip range allows, or it may be a different rivet entirely depending on the stack-up.
### Replacement gear leg ordering
When ordering a replacement main gear leg, confirm whether you need the assembly with the axle integrated (the axle and leg are one unit on most RV airframes) and order new attach hardware. There is no single hardware kit for gear leg attach — order each bolt and nut individually using the airframe-specific drawing callouts.
### Builder Tech Support notes
Positive camber is engineered into Wittman-style spring-steel gear legs and is normal; it places the wear on the outer edge of the tire under gross-weight and landing loads. No camber check is required on the RV-14A, and the RV-14A main gear alignment target is neutral to slight toe-in. To even out tire wear, dismount, flip, and remount the tire. Camber-reducing shims exist (Aircraft Spruce stocks some), but confirm the correct part before installing.
### Overview
Landing gear and fairing questions cover a wide range of parts and modifications. This article summarizes the common ones — tailwheel parts, RV-8A to RV-8 conversion, wheel fairings, and windshield fairings.
### RV-7 tailwheel parts lookup
For specific RV-7 tailwheel parts (springs, axles, locking mechanisms), provide the year of build or kit serial number when ordering. Tailwheel assemblies have changed over the years and the correct spring depends on the configuration.
### Old RV-10 axle nut (U-1004A)
The U-1004A axle nut is a specific part — if a customer has a question about fit or torque, refer to the original RV-10 main gear assembly drawings. Van's Parts can confirm part availability and supersession (if the part has been replaced by a newer revision).
### Wheel fairings and wheel intersection fairings
Wheel fairings and intersection fairings are ordered as a set or individually depending on the aircraft. When ordering, provide model, serial number, and current configuration (taildragger or nosewheel). For replacement of a damaged fairing, photograph the damage and include the packing list number from the original shipment.
### RV-6/6A/7/7A/9/9A nose gear SBs (a related question)
Builders looking at older RVs sometimes confuse SB-00007 (RV-10) with the older nose-gear bulletins for the 2-place RVs. The two main ones are:
- **SB 98-10-1** - Replace U-603 with U-603-2.
- **SB 07-11-09** - Confirms acceptable nose leg dimensions (e.g., 1-1/4" nose leg diameter, 2.8" at the wheel fork grease zerk on U-603-3) and may show "no further action required" if dimensions match.
SB 07-11-09 inspection is the current method to confirm the nose leg configuration on a flying aircraft. If your aircraft passes the SB 07-11-09 inspection with a U-603-3 leg, it is in a "no further action required" state, even if SB 98-10-1 was never separately documented.
### Matched-hole and prepunched construction
The RV-14 was Van's first kit designed entirely around matched-hole technology. In practice this means:
- Most holes are final-size in the parts as shipped
- You drill very few holes from scratch compared to earlier models
- Edge prep, deburring, and dimpling are still on you
- Final-drilling to remove burrs is still recommended for many holes
### RV-6 Main Wheel Axle Sourcing
Main wheel axles are not included in some legacy RV-6 main wheel kits. Confirm contents against the U-51-201 parts list. If axles are needed separately and back-ordered, Beringer is a viable alternative but specs must be cross-checked - confirm hub dimensions and axle diameter before ordering.
### RV-7A Nose Wheel
The Matco cast aluminum 500-5 (5-inch) nose wheel with 3/4" axle and bearings is correct for older RV-7A airframes. Confirm bearing dimensions against your existing axle before ordering.
### Updated Plans for Beringer Install
Van's has integrated Beringer into the RV-14 plans (Chapter 33 area). For the RV-7 and RV-10, install instructions ship with the Beringer kit; Van's does not currently publish a model-specific updated plans set for those airframes.
### Decision Factors (Beringer vs. Matco/Grove)
Van's does not have long-term performance or maintainability data on Beringer due to recent introduction. Beringer technical data and parts lists are available on Beringer's website. Builders should weigh:
- Weight savings and braking performance vs. cost premium.
- Tire and tube availability in your region.
- Maintenance parts lead time (Beringer is French - parts shipping varies).
### Pitch Trim Servo Wiring Reversal
If trim runs the wrong direction on first test, the fix in SkyView HDX is in the setup software:
1. Enter SETUP menu.
2. Navigate to PITCH AXIS configuration.
3. Reverse the trim direction in the configuration page.
No need to swap wires at the servo. Verify direction with control wheel inputs after the change.
### Van's Tech Q&A: Nose Wheel Torque on Tricycle Gear Aircraft
*Copied from Van's Aircraft Tech Q&A on 2026-10-01. Source: [Nose Wheel Torque on Tricycle Gear Aircraft](https://www.vansaircraft.com/tricycle-gear-aircraft-nose-wheel-torque/).*
**Question:**
How do I properly install the bearings and torque the axle nut on MATCO mfg wheels with tapered roller bearings that have the integrated rubber grease seal on the bearing cone?
**Answer:**
MATCO mfg wheels using tapered roller bearings are equipped with Timken bearings utilizing integrated grease seals on the bearing cone to ensure the longest possible life. The torqueing procedure for bearings with these type seals is different than for tapered roller bearings without them. A common torqueing technique for bearings without integrated seals is to tighten the axle nut until the wheel stops spinning freely and then back off to the nearest locking feature. THIS TECHNIQUE WILL NOT WORK ON A BEARING WITH AN INTEGRATED SEAL. The reason for a different torqueing technique is that the grease seal produces some drag and makes the wheel feel somewhat stiff when rotated. Reducing the axle nut torque until the wheel spins freely will allow the grease seal and the bearing cone to improperly rotate with the wheel (the cone must not rotate relative to the axle). The higher rolling drag is completely normal for this bearing and allows for longer bearing life since the seal will keep most contaminants out. Timken specification state, for example, that the two 1.25 inch tapered roller bearing used on the WE51 will produce between 18-26 inch-pounds of torque (drag) when properly installed. A light coating of grease on the seal will help reduce the drag on the initial installation. The drag will also reduce after the bearings have been installed and the seal relaxes in the bore. It is important that the axle nut torque be sufficient to keep the seal from rotating with the wheel. With the bearings cleaned, dried, greased, and inserted in the wheel, the axle nut should be tightened until all play is out of the assembly. Rotate the wheel back and forth while tightening the nut to help seat the bearings. When all play is out of the assembly, and the wheel rotates freely, tighten to the next castle slot and insert the cotter pin. The rubber seal on the tapered roller bearing will remain stationary while the wheel rotates around it. If the seal is spinning on the axle, the nut should be tightened further until the seal stops spinning with the wheel.
Nose wheels on Van’s Aircraft tricycle gear aircraft use Matco wheels and bearings with integrated rubber seals. It has been our determination that the “Minimum” torque that can be used to ensure that the wheel bearing outer cone and seal does not move is 7 ft-lbs. Our “Maximum” torque recommendation is 16 ft-lbs. This value is based on the standard bolt torque for the AN6 bolt used as the nose gear axle on all models.
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