Scott 3200 bolt Q

[tj_od]

What size bolt do folks who run a Scott 3200 tailwheel assembly have connecting it to the tail leafspring? Cessna and Stinson diagrams indicate AN8-21a. I have a smaller bolt in mine, it’s also upside down (compared to those diagrams) and only has a washer on one side… I noticed this due to a recent windstorm that somehow shook my spring connecters loose from the chains. Gust locks installed from here on out.

Thanks again for any help,
TJ

[3Dreaming]

Bolt size is determined by the hole in the spring. If you don't have one, you need a bolt spacer for the tailwheel assembly.

[Hank Jarrett]

Post a photo of your set up. It sounds like your springs weren't moused or they wouldn't have come loose! Also make SURE the sleeve is still in place that brings the bolt diameter up to match the hole in the fuselage. The little tube can fall out when the tail wheel bolt is removed and the springs can rock back and forth without it making things a bit more exciting than you will want!

[tj_od]

I didn’t take the assembly off yet to check the hole size.I had an A&P pal help me reattach the chains to the springs, but we noticed there was some slop in the connection between the assembly and the leaf spring. I came back later to tighten it with what I thought was the right sized wrench but it was too big, got the right size then noticed the lack of a washer on the nut side, tapped the proverbial brakes and thought I’d pose the question to the forum. I am puzzled why the chains could have shook off the springs. I wonder if my rudder stops are not to spec ( too much movement?). I’ll take some pics and post to supplement.

[Hank Jarrett]

This is what a moused spring looks like. If there is a lot of bouncing around it prevents the spring from popping loose.

[tj_od]

I’m not moused (yet), that looks smart. Here’s what things look like. My thinking that the rudder stops might be off is evidenced by where the rudder slapped the elevator when the chains were slipped. I was out of town for the windstorm and didn’t get to see any of this in action, just aftermath. Weirdly the photos are pasting in above the text.

[Hank Jarrett]

In the second photo the rudder throw bolt is not adjusted to restrict rudder movement. The rudder should NOT be able to hit the elevators. The way the rudder horns are dented this has happened before and you might want to inspect the area carefully for hidden damage. In number 2 and 3 I really like leaving the aft triangle open so trash doesn't collect there and let the fuselage tubes rust. I WOULD take the area apart and clean the area at every annual and treat any corrosion. The tail area is a really bad dirt trap area and dirt hides cracks and corrosion. I remove the tail wheel, springs and fasteners at every annual, clean, repair and repaint to check for damage. IT DOES NOT take very long and having had a tail wheel spring failure while rolling slowly I DO NOT want it failing on landing! PM sent

Hank Jarrett

[astjp2]

nut for the wheel bolt should be on the bottom typically and I used castellated nuts and cotter pins, if bush flying, get the spring drilled for the bigger bolt for the 3200, if not just bush it.

[tj_od]

@astjp2 Yes, all of the diagrams I can find of the 3200 have the nut on the bottom. The Taylorcraft parts manual lists a bolt that would have a 9/16ths head, the Scott diagrams indicate a bolt with a 3/4 head and mine is 11/16ths... I guess they shot the middle? Thanks for your input!

[astjp2]

Well I had a spring break and a 3200 mount crack, so I went with either an an7 or 8 bolt, I believe it was the 8 and drilled the new spring drilled, there is also a spacer needed to match up the spring with to the groove in the 3200. It needs to be adequately right to not have a problem.

[tj_od]

Just an update for those curious. Suspicions confirmed: bolt was wrong sized and upside down, rudder throw bolts were out of spec. All tidied up, rudder patched. Also constructed a wooden 1x3, closed cell foam lined, gust lock to slide over the vertical stabilizer and rudder to lock things down.