New tailwheel springs!

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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dstates
Posts: 472
Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2019 5:50 pm

New tailwheel springs!

Post by dstates »

While my plane was down for engine work I was able to get my tailwheel springs replaced. As you can see from the pictures they were in desperate need of replacement. I got to taxi with the new springs for the first time today and what an improvement! It was smoother and easier to turn and pivot about one of the mains.

Old tailwheel leaf springs - tailwheel angle is incorrect
87B80B57-46D5-456C-BF03-87BB6BD9B29A.jpeg
Old leaf springs next to new from Univair
596BC2D4-7EE4-4579-8679-D2EB166099E0.jpeg
88F25F3A-B7D9-4798-904C-BD3833C91EB1.jpeg
Treated corrosion and painted tailwheel bracket
FBABDE9A-A713-4E86-90C0-650FD5865043.jpeg
Final result!
CBAEE45F-D08C-4A7A-9B97-D41BBB8B0BC1.jpeg
N1235D - 1951 170A - SN: 20118
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IA DPE
Posts: 208
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Re: New tailwheel springs!

Post by IA DPE »

Did the thickness of the new Univair springs seem to be correct?

Several months ago people were having trouble getting the new stack into the bracket as the new springs were too thick.

There is no documentation that mine have been replaced and they look good with minimal wear but I don't want to take the chance. Been waiting for Univair to correct thickness issue...
1955 C170B N2993D s/n 26936
1986 DG-400 N9966C
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cessna170bdriver
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Re: New tailwheel springs!

Post by cessna170bdriver »

I’m glad to see you also replaced those compression-type steering springs with the correct tension springs.
Miles

“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
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dstates
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Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2019 5:50 pm

Re: New tailwheel springs!

Post by dstates »

IA DPE wrote:Did the thickness of the new Univair springs seem to be correct?

Several months ago people were having trouble getting the new stack into the bracket as the new springs were too thick.
I did notice that the new stack was approximately 1/16” thicker than the old stack (my best picture is below). My airframe has only 1300 hours and I’m assuming they had not been replaced based on that and the condition they were in.

Keep in mind this is the original tailwheel bracket design so thickness may not be as critical.
BD5AF676-3122-4A21-8E39-ECF88E75FC46.jpeg
The picture above did not include the small leaf spring that is not used on the 170A (shown at top of picture below)
95CC7906-A824-4206-813D-96401C754261.jpeg
Doug
N1235D - 1951 170A - SN: 20118
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