My tailwheel sticks or hangs up when turning to the left. When manuevering the aircraft by hand, the wheel just drags across the Tarmac. I have to get under and kick it free. Turns OK to the right.
I have had the tail off the ground and can feel where it hangs up. Is this a common problem? I just took delivery of the aircraft in March after a "restoration". Thanks, Marty
Tailwheel turning problems
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
Tailwheel turning problems
Marty,
N8249A, 52' 170B
Hangar 130(North Hangars) KSAC
N8249A, 52' 170B
Hangar 130(North Hangars) KSAC
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- Posts: 2271
- Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2002 12:11 am
Both Univair & Aircraft Spruce (among several others) sell replacement scott t/w parts. Those 2 catalogs each have good exploded drawings of the 3200,for "situational awareness" when dis- & re-assembling.
Sounds like maybe a funky spring p/n 3222 (item 18 )*. Sounds like it's maybe bent or burred,not necessarily broken. Be sure to check the notches in the arm assembly p/n 3214 (item 8 )* where the ends of the springs fit when the t/w is locked. Also check the pawl p/n 3219 (item 9) to make sure it's kicking the spring ends out as required. I've had trouble with the notches in the arm assembly & the ends of the spring getting burrs on them,some careful file work cleaned them up so they worked properly. Also have had to tweak the spring so that it provided just the right amount of pressure,it has to lock the tailwheel firmly yet release fairly easily when the pawl kicks it out. Take some care adjusting the kingpin nut ("shear nut") p/n AN320-8 (item 16). I tighten this until I can't hardly turn the t/w,then back it off one flat & safety it. Too loose & it'll shimmy,too tight & it won't release to full swivel.
Eric
Sounds like maybe a funky spring p/n 3222 (item 18 )*. Sounds like it's maybe bent or burred,not necessarily broken. Be sure to check the notches in the arm assembly p/n 3214 (item 8 )* where the ends of the springs fit when the t/w is locked. Also check the pawl p/n 3219 (item 9) to make sure it's kicking the spring ends out as required. I've had trouble with the notches in the arm assembly & the ends of the spring getting burrs on them,some careful file work cleaned them up so they worked properly. Also have had to tweak the spring so that it provided just the right amount of pressure,it has to lock the tailwheel firmly yet release fairly easily when the pawl kicks it out. Take some care adjusting the kingpin nut ("shear nut") p/n AN320-8 (item 16). I tighten this until I can't hardly turn the t/w,then back it off one flat & safety it. Too loose & it'll shimmy,too tight & it won't release to full swivel.
Eric
Actually, that's only one spring (shaped like an angular "U") and is backed up with a short stiffener. When that spring or the "pawl" breaks, the tailwheel behaves as described. The parts are readily available from Spruce 877-477-7823.
* I edited your comment, Eric. When a number "8" is followed closely by a ")" then the icon "cool" thinks you're invoking his presence. The fix is to follow any 8 with a space, before typing a closed parenthesis. 8 ) vs
* I edited your comment, Eric. When a number "8" is followed closely by a ")" then the icon "cool" thinks you're invoking his presence. The fix is to follow any 8 with a space, before typing a closed parenthesis. 8 ) vs
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
Marty, for parts, I am lucky to live in the DFW area and was able to procure the spring locally - George is right, when I replaced the two springs that was causing the problem with the one new spring things worked much better, mine had broke in two and that number had stuck in my memory. Not lucky in other things like traffic, smog, etc. Good luck with your tail wheel, Spruce is a good solution if you do not have a local source.
Joe
51 C170A
Grand Prairie, TX
51 C170A
Grand Prairie, TX