RV-8 Tailwheel Steering Geometry

[smithflys23]

Originally Posted by titanhank

My stinger was laser straight before bending. The 9deg bend was with a harbor freight pipe bender with the smallest die installed. I bent it cold. I used the tailwheel hanging weight on the end to ensure it was plumb. Overbent to 12 degs with spring back to the desired 9 degs. Worked like a champ.

Was the 12 ton pipe bender enough, or did you use the 16 ton?

[dmat]

Looks like I will need to do this to mine as well. did you guys use a 12 or 16 ton from HF?

[smithflys23]

Originally Posted by dmat

Looks like I will need to do this to mine as well. did you guys use a 12 or 16 ton from HF?

12 ton is plenty.

[rv8ch]

Originally Posted by smithflys23

12 ton is plenty.

Did you do this while it was on the aircraft? Is there enough room for the hydraulic pipe bender?

[smithflys23]

Originally Posted by rv8ch

Did you do this while it was on the aircraft? Is there enough room for the hydraulic pipe bender?

No, using the bender from HF, you definitely have to remove it.

Also, it’s difficult to make sure you get the bend just right so that it’s not cocked off to one side. Unfortunately, I ended up replacing my stinger and starting over.

[Capt]

This is the ideal angle, obviously not an RV but one of my 'toys' -)

[rv8ch]

Originally Posted by Capt

Attachment 13686

This is the ideal angle, obviously not an RV but one of my 'toys' -)

I've read all I can on this recommendation but do we have any videos or math or physics or other data that shows that this is the correct angle? How is it possible that all the shopping cart wheel manufacturers around the world got this wrong?

[rv8ch]

Found this article which mentions some of the factors that can contribute to shimmy.

https://glasair-owners.com/glastar-s...-wheel-shimmy/

From what I understand in the article, even though we have a negative castor we don't always have shimmy because the "trail" is large enough.