Are you sure you have the right tube? Did you powder the inside of the tire with talcum powder so the tube can slip around inside to locate itself better?

I remember making a tool for the valve stem location. I'll check tomorrow and see if I can send a picture.

Louis,

That would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for responding.

You a credit to this group

Don,

Here is a picture of a simple tool I made that helped me to get through the same task. Also the bag I keep it in so I don't forget what it is. It isn't fancy, but it worked. It is about 1 1/8" long with the OD same as the tube valve stem threaded end. The smaller end fits down inside of the valve stem, with the valve out, and keeps it located. The tapered end fits through the grommet and you can push the valve stem through.

Thanks for the advice. I still have questions on proper manner to secure the valve stem tween the 2 wheel halves. It currently sticks too far out and would rub on skirt support

My new tube may have a longer valve stem. I must admit I didn't catch extra length when comparing. Relate questions:

1. I want to replace brake pads. I see ones on Spruce, but looks like I need to rivit. I not too excited about that. Is there bonded pads available for my 601 XL-B brake assembly  (Grove 5x5.00)

2. When you take the tire off the axle, do you remove the brake assembly? When changing tube, I took wheel halves apart on axle, and then re-assembled (It was really cumbersome)

As Dan says, riviting the brakes is no problem with the right tool. And the tool does not cost much. I am unaware of pre-assembled brakes but they may be out there somewhere. I'll bet they would be expensive.

Yes, you take the wheel and brake disc assembly off as a unit. Yes, you take the brake off to do it, or you cannot pull the wheel assembly off the axle. By the way, be sure to deflate the tire (if it is still holding air before removal) BEFORE removing the axle nut. If the through-bolts have failed or if the wheel half has failed around the bolt heads, the tire pressure inside the tube will pop the wheel halves apart when you remove the axle nut and parts will start flying (because the axle nut is all that was holding the halves together if the attchments have failed.) That is a very rare failure, but it can and does happen and people have been hurt removing a wheel with pressure still inside it.

I am not trying to sound condesending, but if you do not know all these basic things you have no business taking a critical aircraft system apart and putting it back together. Get some good books and learn what to do. Hire a certified mechanic (or find a knowlegable aircraft owner who does a lot of their own work) and work with them the first time. Doing it wrong in aviation can have fatal consequences.

In your photo the safety wire on the two bolt heads for the pant bracket is not really correct, by the way. (Speaking of doing things right). As set up, both bolts can loosen and the wire will just shift along with the bolts. The safety wire as pictured will stop the bolt heads after they have rotated a half turn or so, but things will be loose by then. The wire should be installed in a way that does not let either bolt head move in the remove direction, ever, even a little bit. Also, the pigtail of cut-off twisted wire should be bent back on itself so that no sharp edge is available to slice open your (or the next worker in that area) fingertip. Again, a decent book or a few minutes spent with somebody who knows will help you. It is not hard to do but it should be done right.

It is legal for the owner of a homebuilt to work on it themself, but that does not make it safe unless said owner knows exactly what they are doing. Please get some training rather than making guesses or improvising your own proceedures. Most things in aviation (including working on the machines) is done in a certain way because people have died or been badly injured doing it different ways.

Bob,

I appreciate your  comment, and the reason I posted questions is to ensure that items are done in correct, safe manner. As I DID NOT BUILD this A/C, I use this forum to get advice from experienced builders. As for my experience with mechanical items, you are way off base. Too many assumptions. I spent my college years (late 60's) as a mechanic on a Interstate service center. With hundreds of semi tires and split rims in my background, I do not need to be reminded of the safety aspects. With that said, I do want to thank-you for input, excluding condescending remarks. I was of the assumption that the forum was meant to share experience and advice, not "tee-off" on someone with legit questions.

If roles were reversed, I would have attached pictures, documentation (if I had any) etc to assist a fellow owner. The safety wired brace was on the starboard wheel, and was done by the builder, not me. This is the first time I have removed the skirts.