What's hanging off of MD80 nosewheels?

[ReverseThrust]

I've wondered for a long time the purpose and advantage of the piece that hangs off the back of the nosegear on the MD80 aircraft.

[SilverFox441]

Are you referring to the scissors link? That folding thing at the back of the strut?

The scissors stabilizes the strut so that the axle part and the strut stay lined up... very important so the wheels point the way you want.

[Ivan]

He means the spraycatcher... which keeps the water under the fuselage when landing on wet runways.
It also keeps dirt, gravel and othre stuff away from the engines.

[expat]

It was used before chined tyres came about.

Matt

[Nexus]

The man landing gear's got them aswell, but they aren't as visible.

[ReverseThrust]

Thanks, everyone.  I knew about chinned tires--the planes I work with (bizjets) have them--but I had never seen the catcher except on MD80s.  Thanks for your info.

[expat]

The man landing gear's got them aswell, but they aren't as visible.

Because the engines are behind and above the gear in the spray path.

Matt