Tip: Tail wheel Spring Attach Points

Ironflight · #1 05-13-2007, 09:20 PM

Here's a little tip that I got from Jay Pratt - probably something many people already know, but it was something that I had missed! A few weeks back, jay was looking at the Val, and pointed out a potential problem - I had used Van's little teardrop shaped clips to connect the tail wheel chains directly to holes in the rudder horn.

"Paul, what are you going to do when those clips pull all the way through the edge of the horn?" he asked inocently...Sure enough, the holes were already slightly elongated! Jay suggested AN eye bolts, so I ordered a couple of them from ACS, drilled the holes out for the AN3 shanks, and reconnected the chains to the eye bolts. I have never really liked the little clips either - in fact, I had one pop off on an early landing - so I replaced them with stainless steel sailboat clevises. (Now the weakest link is truly the screen-door chains themselves!)

szicree · #2 05-13-2007, 11:47 PM

Seems like a good idea. Now what about the rudder cable attach? I've always thought that these should have some sort of bushing.

check 6 · #3 05-14-2007, 05:48 AM

OK Paul what is "ACS" I did a google search and came up with everything but what I wanted. I do like the eye bolt concept. I also went with the Van's upgraded springs and cables when I installed the Aviation Products tailwheel. What a great improvement in safety on the ground. Thanks Jack

Mel · #4 05-14-2007, 06:18 AM

Jack,
ACS is Aircraft Spruce.

Paul,
Now if you add "eye" bolts to the top pf the tail wheel arm the spring will be almost horizontal and pulling straighter.

Ironflight · #5 05-14-2007, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by check 6

OK Paul what is "ACS" I did a google search and came up with everything but what I wanted.

Sorry Jack...."AirCraftSpruce".....I didn't want to start another mega-thread about AN quality hardware.....

I ordered AN41B-4A eye bolts by the way - fit perfectly!

Paul

check 6 · #6 05-14-2007, 06:36 AM

Thanks, don't know why I had the senior moment , must be Monday

Bob Martin · #7 05-14-2007, 08:07 AM

Not to change the topic of the thread, but I couldn't wait to rid of my chains and install a Jantz tail link steering and now have the Silver Bullet version.
I love it, very clean looking and works just fine.
I did use the AN eye bolts to connect the rudder cables though.
Just my 2 cents.

captainron · #8 05-14-2007, 08:20 AM

Has anyone (other than me) thought that this might become a problem? Rain, washing, and such. It ain't waterproof back there, and this is steel.......

Steve Sampson · #9 01-03-2008, 06:05 AM

Paul (Dye) - in your message below you did mean to type AN42B-4A? I dont want to order the wrong thing and get it all the way to the UK. I cant find a 41b.

Thanks,

Ironflight · #10 01-03-2008, 06:32 AM

Good catch Steve - looks like I must have typoed it....very common for me!

Paul