the outer cylinder. Carefully withdraw the inner cylinder from the outer cylinder. Pull the metering pin and bulkhead from the inner cylinder with a smooth controlled force. Tag or keep parts together to expedite reassembly. Cleaning Thoroughly clean all parts of the recoil strut assembly, using P-D-680 dry-cleaning solvent (spray or dip) or a similar cleaning solvent. Dry thoroughly with clean, dry, compressed air, paying particular attention to all recesses and internal passages. Use the cleaning solvent in a well-ventilated area. Avoid prolonged inhalation of fumes. Keep solvent away from open flames. Cleaned parts that normally come in contact with fluid during operation of the strut should be coated with hydraulic fluid. Depending on local conditions, it may be desirable to also coat external highly machined surfaces. Wipe the lower bearing clean with a clean, lint-free cloth dampened with hydraulic fluid. Do not touch machined surfaces with your bare hands. Do not use compressed air to dry bearings. Clean the bearings with new cleaning solvent and dry with a lint-free cloth. Inspection Perform a thorough visual inspection of the disassembled parts for serviceability. Packing grooves and surrounding areas should be inspected for scratches, burrs, nicks, or other roughness that might cut packings on installation or cause seal failure during strut operation. Inspect machined surfaces for mars, abrasions, gouges, grooves, scores, scratches, and corrosion. If any parts are suspected of having cracks, the part should be inspected using one of the nondestructive methods of testing. Check all threaded parts for distorted or mutilated threads. Inspect plated surfaces for blistering, flaking, wear, or other defects. Within the limits of practicability, check all holes for concentricity and taper, using an internal micrometer, hole gauges, plug gauges, or similar equipment. Check the angle between the piston and the axle. Check to ensure that the brake flange is perpendicular to the axle. Inspect all ports, bores, and passages for cleanliness. Place bearings next to a sensitive compass to check for residual magnetism. Bearings should be inspected for obvious damage, Brinelling (shallow indentations in the raceway), or corrosion. Rotate bearing races and check for roughness, binding, or looseness. Bearing retainers must be checked for cracks, warpage, and corrosion. Refer to the tables furnished in the applicable accessories manual or the “Intermediate Maintenance Section” of the appropriate MIM for service limits established for critical areas. Repair or Replacement Repair or replace all parts that show evidence of excessive wear, scoring, or corrosion. Replace all parts that show wear beyond the dimensions specified in the inspection standards tables found in most 03 manuals or MIMs. Each time the strut is disassembled, all preformed and special packings should be replaced, although they may appear to be serviceable. NOTE: Never work on machined services with metallic tools. Always use brass O-ring tools for checking scratches and removing or replacing seals and gaskets. Blend out minor scratches, nicks, and burrs from machined surfaces of steel parts with a crocus cloth. Use aluminum oxide abrasive cloth to polish aluminum parts. The smoothness of the repaired area must be equal to or smoother than the finish of the surrounding area. Do not attempt to remove normal wear marks from the sliding surface of the piston. NOTE: Partial removal of plating from the inner cylinder will condemn the part from further service, pending replating of the cylinder. Portable brush-type plating equipment is available in some intermediate maintenance activities for touch-up plating of minor areas. Areas with damaged paint or other protective finishes must be restored to a serviceable condition. If any bushings require replacement, the mating bushing must also be replaced. Reassembly Reassemble the strut assembly in essentially the reverse order of disassembly. Exercise adequate precautions to ensure that dirt, dust, grit, or other foreign 12-27