This is a bit hard to visualize.  Some pictures would help.  For instance, what is the main axis of your ship, X or Z?  When you say "reposition" and "move" are you using translations as well as rotations to accomplish the action?  When you say "bend" do you mean fold?  The bend attribute should be turned off for mechanical joints.

I don't know of any tuts on this, but maybe someone else does.  I have done landing gear on many aircraft and would be glad to help, but illustrations would help a lot.

John