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06-12-2020, 11:38 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 36
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Tailwheel shifts to "castering" mode too easily
Hi, all.
I've got an RV8 with (I think) a Bell tailwheel. Lately, when taxiing, and turning right (right rudder), the tailwheel shifts from steerable to castering with only minimal pressure. Going left, it does not have that problem.
I took the tailwheel assembly apart yesterday, cleaned all the parts (including the spring and the dog that it fits into, and the rectangular hole in the bolt that the dog fits into) with solvent, re-greased, and put it back together. Same problem.
Took it apart, cleaned it, and looked at it (should've done that first time). There is some metal wear; the rectangular hole really is not exactly rectangular, and the place where the dog "breaks" from steering to castering also looks slightly worn.
I was thinking of just replacing all those parts...does anyone think there is an easier solution that I am missing?
Thanks,
Seth
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Seth S Leopold
RV8
N86472
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06-12-2020, 11:42 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 1,005
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search 'castoring tail wheel'
There is a large number of threads dealing with this.
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Ralph
built a few RVs, rebuilt a few more, hot rodded some, & maintained/updated a bunch more
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06-12-2020, 11:57 AM
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been here awhile
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 4,301
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The most important thing is to lightly file or sand the long edges of the pin. Wear creates burrs on those edges making the pin stick and causing the issues you are seeing. I'm still using the original pin and spring in my 1999 RV-6 with Bell fork...it has been serviced several times.
Last edited by Sam Buchanan : 06-12-2020 at 11:59 AM.
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06-12-2020, 12:05 PM
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sherman, CT
Posts: 794
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan
The most important thing is to lightly file or sand the long edges of the pin. Wear creates burrs on those edges making the pin stick and causing the issues you are seeing. I'm still using the original pin and spring in my 1999 RV-6 with Bell fork...it has been serviced several times.
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Ditto Sam's reply, I pull my assembley out every 25hrs. to clean and lube. Might keep an extra spring and pin in stock, Flyboys has them.
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Jake
RV6 #20477 completed 1991 sold.
RV7 #72018 N767T first flight 11/21/2017 350+ hrs.
IO-360M1B MT 3 blade, Dual AFS 5600 QUICK Panel.
Manual Flaps. (KOXC)Oxford, CT, (0NY0)North Creek, NY.
1941 J3 Cub skis,floats.
2020 dues gladly paid.
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06-12-2020, 01:10 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,646
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For me it was not the pin but the control arm/yoke. The slot in the arm had worn just enough for the pin to not lock in. With a a new part from flyboy accessories, https://www.flyboyaccessories.com/Do...g-p/1102-t.htm, everything back to normal.
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Steve M.
Ellensburg WA
RV-9 Flying, 0-320, Catto
Donation reminder: Jan. 2021
Last edited by alpinelakespilot2000 : 06-12-2020 at 01:14 PM.
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06-12-2020, 01:23 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Yorkshire, England
Posts: 2,052
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Ours is doing the opposite.
Just changed to the Flyboys tailwheel with new pin and spring and it is reluctant to break out.
10 years old - may just replace the whole stinger/knuckle.
Does anyone know if it comes pre drilled from Vans ?
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"I add a little excitement, a little spice to your lives, and all you do is complain!" - Q
Donated in 2020
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06-12-2020, 02:49 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: 08A
Posts: 9,500
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__________________
Dan Horton
RV-8 SS
Barrett IO-390
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06-12-2020, 03:02 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ralph Inkster
search 'castoring tail wheel'
There is a large number of threads dealing with this.
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Thank you, Ralph. I was misspelling "castoring", which is why I didn't get those threads. I am a real newbie.
Much appreciated,
Seth
__________________
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Seth S Leopold
RV8
N86472
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06-12-2020, 03:04 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanH
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Dear Sam, Jake, Steve, Dan, and Mike,
Thanks for the great suggestions. Will give the steps in the article a try (need to go buy a little file) and see if that helps. I did not notice any burrs. But I will look again.
Seth
__________________
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Seth S Leopold
RV8
N86472
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06-12-2020, 03:11 PM
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been here awhile
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 4,301
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Leopold
Dear Sam, Jake, Steve, Dan, and Mike,
Thanks for the great suggestions. Will give the steps in the article a try (need to go buy a little file) and see if that helps. I did not notice any burrs. But I will look again.
Seth
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Fine-grit sandpaper will work, you just want to smooth off any sharp edges on the pin.
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