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Chasr263
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 12:35 pm 
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Location: Sanger tx
Bob;

Are you seeing any wear or evidence of stresses on your tailwheel socket from the vertical bolts?

I haven't drilled yet, trying to determine what is best, any input would be helpful.


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fytrplt
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 5:55 pm 
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The stresses on the socket are rotational. The orientation of the bolts will not matter. That said, I will tell you that my fitting does have some play in it. I think it is due my replacement of the fitting a while back. This was due to wear in the locking mechanism. When I drilled the new fitting (with a drll press), I may have slightly oversized the hole.

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Chasr263
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Fri Feb 28, 2014 4:35 pm 
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Location: Sanger tx
I have done my research and spoke to the local A&P, AI turns out the two bolts installed in the horizontal plane on the tailwheel rod to socket is the best.

The largest loads on the tailwheel are from the sides. Local mecanic has seen more wear on parts when the holes are drilled vertically. Thanks for the input!


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jrevens
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Fri Feb 28, 2014 6:02 pm 
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Like Bob said, it makes little to no difference from an engineering standpoint. The best thing you can do is have a good fit between the tailwheel assembly & the rod/spring. The loads on the bolt are all shear loads and there should be no appreciable wear on the bolt or holes with a proper fit. You're preventing rotation as well as axial movement (the wheel assembly pulling off the rod).

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado

T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE


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Rich Brazell
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 12:20 am 
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A good fit equals almost a press fit . I said almost . When I got my tail rod back from Tom Hunter , the bolts went in "snug" with no play . ;) A slight tap with my noggin and the bolts were in place ! :o That area of the AC takes a lot of shakin and abuse , so close tolerance bolts are in order ! ;) No Macarena here ! ???

RB O0


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Bill Williams
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 9:40 am 
For loose bolts, install them using Loctite 680


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Ryan Allen
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 10:11 am 
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Bill Williams wrote:
For loose bolts, install them using Loctite 680


timely tip. I just found a small bit of play where the rod slides into the socket (over the wheel). i'll try this. thanks.


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Hagle347
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 5:36 pm 
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Hi Guys, I've got 6 folks who have expressed interest in the Tail Springs. I'll call Langair on Monday and get them coming. I also have the aft attach fittings being fabricated. Hopefully, in 2 weeks I can have all the parts together for shipping.
Send me a private message with your shipping address and I can come up with a close shipping estimate for FEDEX ground.
OR I can bring some to Sun N Fun like I did last year....

Terry


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Rich Brazell
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 3:56 pm 
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Location: Jamul, CA (San Diego area)
Attachment:
Powder coated tail wheel 002.JPG
Powder coated tail wheel 002.JPG [ 640.23 KiB | Viewed 17552 times ]
Attachment:
Powder coated tail wheel 001.JPG
Powder coated tail wheel 001.JPG [ 629.18 KiB | Viewed 17552 times ]
Just got the rod , fork and other tail wheel hardware back from the powder coating shop . No more painting ! ;) Since I had the wheel off it needed a new bearing and rather than put a new bearing on a worn tail wheel I replaced the wheel also . Now was also a good time to clean up the eye bolts and stainless steel hardware . BOOM !

RB O0


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James Grahn
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 2:24 am 
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Ahh. Now I got the trim system cover you talked about!
Cubes


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dan
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:18 am 
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I have a fiberglass mold for that piece that goes on the bottom of the rudder, it makes the rudder flush with the bottom of the fuselage...........also have the mold to make the fin cap, both molds were used to make carbon fiber units........Dan


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Rich Brazell
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Mon Mar 03, 2014 3:22 pm 
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Location: Jamul, CA (San Diego area)
Nothing more than a piece of .025 bent up . RAC install instructions say the unit should not be exposed to H20 . So far the little unit has worked 4.0 for almost 200 hours . :o

RB O0


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leewwalton
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 7:51 am 
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Updated Tail Spring drawings/text.


Attachments:
trusty_tail_spring_text.pdf [226.98 KiB]
Downloaded 513 times
trusty_tail_spring_drawings.pdf [140.36 KiB]
Downloaded 541 times

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
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jrevens
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 5:14 pm 
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Long shot... anyone have a spring &/or mounting parts for sale?

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado

T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE


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James Grahn
 Post subject: Re: Trusty Tail Spring
PostPosted: Sat May 23, 2015 7:14 pm 
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Actually, John, I just bought 8 springs. I have them in stock. I need to manufacture the mounting brackets.
Cubes


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