Dual stage shock strut with removable second stage fluid chamber

A two stage shock strut for use in a landing gear assembly, comprising:

• a first cylinder defining a first volume;
• a fill port valve in fluid communication with the first cylinder and configured to receive hydraulic fluid;
• a first stage piston head in fluid communication with the first volume;
• a second cylinder comprising a metering pin, the metering pin in fluid communication with the first volume and a second volume defined by the second cylinder,
• wherein the metering pin is configured to receive the hydraulic fluid from the first volume and purge gas from the second volume;
• a second stage piston head in fluid communication with the second volume,
• wherein the hydraulic fluid supplied through the metering pin is configured to translate the second stage piston head to a second fully compressed position;
• and
• a bleed tube in fluid communication with at least one of the metering pin and the second volume,
• wherein the hydraulic fluid supplied through the fill port valve is exhausted through the bleed tube.