Rudder Steering Arm

[Dano"T"]

What kind of bolt is used to attach the rudder steering arm to the rudder tube. I broke mine off Sunday when I landed and lost tailwheel steering. the rudder arm is just cast aluminum with a post that slides into the rudder tube and is bolted. Should a harder or softer bolt be used for this? I think it broke as a result of a shimmy that I had been exp[eriencing in my Maule tailwheel.

Dan

[Robert Lees]

Re: Rudder Steering Arm

Saw your previous post, Dan...

Steel AN bolts are used, to the best of my knowledge.

Shimmy (like flutter) will break anything, so proper maintenance is the only prevention. But the effects may only come to light after many hours of use.

[jgerard]

Re: Rudder Steering Arm

I installed 3 NAS bolts because they are just a tiny bit larger diam. than a plain old AN bolt. NO slop now!!

http://gallery.taylorcraft.org/view_photo.php?set_albumName=N43643&id=tundra_tw

Jason
N43643

[Don Eide]

Re: Rudder Steering Arm

Hey Guys,

Just more info. I see in the Taylorcraft Service Manual that the bolts that hold the tail wheel steering arm to the rudder are AN515-8-18 Machine Screws (MS35206), AN960-8 Washers and AN365-8 Nuts, three of each. In the Taylorcraft Owners Club Newsletter dated June 2003 page 2, same thing only two washers on each screw. I looked at my Taylorcraft that I'm rebuilding and see that the holes have been redrilled for a AN3 size bolt, so thats what I'll use.

Don