Originally Posted by
Scoop
Sailing, Sailing, Sailing,
My dear man - you must be a 777 pilot, or something similarly impressive - but surely not a lowly 737 pilot. The pin as you so cavalierly called it, is actually a "
frangible fitting" which protrudes next to where the gear retracts. Theory being, a damaged tire will break the fitting, which will bleed out hydraulic fluid, causing the gear to free-fall, if it where indeed, in the retraction process. If the gear was down - same result, you cannot raise it, due to no hydraulic fluid in the "gear-up" lines.
Scoop - Lowly 737 Pilot
Pin, is a Boeing term.
"""This pin is designed to detect any loose tire tread during gear retraction. If any object impacts on it during retraction, then the gear will automatically extend. The affected gear cannot be retracted until this fitting is replaced. There is one pin at the aft outside of each main wheel well.
I know its a frangible fitting however the point is that a gear with tire damage can not be retracted on the 737NG series. I never flew the earlier versions so have no idea about what they have.