Tail wheel steering problems

[McRay7ac]

when taxi Taylorcraft taxi good straight but when
to the right turn very hard to get tail to come around with out hard right braking left does just
fine coming around will shorting right chain help or do i have other problems - thanks Ray

[flyguy]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

What kind of springs do you have? And what kind of tail wheel?
Darryl

[McRay7ac]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

have the stander taylorcraft BC12D taylorcraft tail wheel

[lfries]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

Left turn engine works for you, right turn it works against you.

[cvavon]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

First there is no standard tail wheel for taylorcraft.With that said a couple good photos would help but it sounds like your tail spring is flattened out and caused the wheel to lift the plane to make it turn witch puts an extra load on the little steering springs and make it hard to turn.

[woodmw]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

Ray...

I would put the tail up on a short sawhorse, first check that you have full rudder deflection to the stops when rudder pedals are pushed. Then check tail wheel deflection when rudder is moved. Basically, check rudder and tail wheel rigging and spring strength.

Haven't seen plane in a while. Still at CXO? Move to Huntsville? I have some projects going this weekend. Should be at hangar both afternoons. Stop by.

[McRay7ac]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

that a good idea I will try that I have 2 more tail wheels if needed - I move the Taylorcraft to Madisionville may build me a hanger talking to city - the only problem is the sky divers they are every were - Ray

[flyguy]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

From your description, that I read again, it sounds to me like the lock mechanism on the tail wheel is not breaking loose when turning right until you hit it hard with a shove from the brake. I say this because you use the term "coming around" speaking of the turn. And in addition you would be in deep caca if it would not steer to the right at all, we would hear about that for sure. So like Mike says put it up on a stand and then check the locking mechanism to see why it isn't releasing correctly.
Darryl

[astjp2]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

If it has a hard tire without a tube, invest in a bushwheel or scott 3200, I went through several including the Maule tundra and they all only lasted about a year before needing a major rebuild and some you really cant get parts for anymore. I have ground looped 2 times because of tail wheel problems, so don't skimp. Ask Peter Roy, I put one on his '41 airplane last year. I think he really likes it. Tim

[N74DV]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

For what it's worth, I had a Matco 6" tailwheel on my Tcraft for 10 years. It worked flawlessly. Never had to do anything other than grease it at annual. Keep in mind, to install legally would require a field approval. I never got it approved though.. just bolted it up and never looked back (literally).

[astjp2]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

No field approval required, but matco stuff is not PMA'd. We had that discussion a few months ago, tailwheels do not require a TSO or any other cert. but mains are required to be. Some of the Irony of the FAA.

[McRay7ac]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

Put tail wheel on saw horse check rigging and travel with rudder peddles all check normal. Grease and oil tail
wheel taxi check work normal - tail wheel appears to be a new Matco model numbers not found - guess grease
and oil did the fix - Ray

[McRay7ac]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

Put tail wheel on saw horse check rigging and travel with rudder peddles all check normal. Grease and oil tail
wheel taxi check work normal - tail wheel appears to be a new Matco model numbers not found - guess grease
and oil did the fix - Ray

[astjp2]

Re: Tail wheel steering problems

I have a customer PA-12 with the fat bushwheel, the owner was complaining about shimmy, the previous mechanic kept doing the same rebuild and repairs. I added 2 extra springs between the fork and the mount, for a total of 5, and found a few worn parts. the owner flew it 35 hours in about 3 weeks, came back and was saying that it was hard to turn. 6-8 pumps of Texas 880 grease and it was just like new. Tore it down for the annual a month later, it was sticking when on a saw horse when turning right, several shots of grease and works as advertised! Grease is your friend on a tail wheel. The 12 weights about 147 pounds on the tailwheel when loaded....heavy airplane so it needed the extra springs and lots of grease to keep it from shimmying. Tim