What am I doing wrong?

[TimHicks]

I bought new "compression-type" tailwheel springs from ACSpruce.
I took off the old "Tension-type" springs. Spruce said these were for TCraft. But even with no links of the chains used, there still is way too much slop in the system. Any idea what I'm doing wrong?

[flyguy]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

Your AI will probably have apoplexy, but larger chromed key rings have been working perfect with those same springs for me for years. Try different sizes and use two for each end of the spring. They get slight wear marks on them, so I rotate the rings occasionally. Not STC or PMA, but stronger than the dinky clips provided by some manufacturers of springs. Works fine, last a long time.

Question: Did those links come with the springs? Are they drilled for safety wire (I see little dots on the nuts.) Would be nice on a plane that they fit.
As my friend says, "welcome to aftermarket parts, LOL"
DC

[TimHicks]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

Right. The links came with the springs. They are, indeed, drilled for a cotter pin or safety wire (the directions say use a cotter pin).
Thanks for the tip on the keyrings. That certainly sounds like a good solution.
But you're right. I'm not sure that my AI will like that idea. I'll pass it by him. It sounds like you're confirming that these are the right springs, just the wrong length clips. Right?

[Marv]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

Tim you are not doing anything wrong. When you order one of those kits,i think you will get the same kit for a Taylorcraft or a Stinson 108. Supposedly you use the chain links etc. I done the same thing 25 years ago and ended up goung to the hardware store and using regular springs. 5 years later iused the compression kit on a 108-3. marv

[mohawktipi]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

I had the same problem when I bought my springs. Went to the hardware store and found some shorter links. Drilled them myself and installed. Still a little loose but work fine. Don't forget to run some safety wire throught the springs, just in case.

[Pearson]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

Tim,

Do yourself a favor and install an eyebolt on each end of your rudder horn. From the pictures it looks like it would be best if they were installed with the eyelet on the bottom. They will prevent the spring or clips from elongating the holes in your rudder horn.

[flyguy]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

Tim,
Yes the springs you have appear to be the same as what I have. As the other guys say, you have to use shorter links of some kind. I just found the rings to be a simple solution that works well and allows a certain amount of adjustment.
You do want to leave a little play in the linkage as that is the whole point of the compression springs; they take the spring load off the rudder while in the air.
Darryl

[mulwyk]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

Jeeze, thanks for posting this Tim. I had the same problem...and assumed I'd just have to live with loose springs cause after all I got these from Aircraft Spruce so they must be right...

Well, tomorrow I go key ring shopping.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

This isn't a compression set up but this is what I copied from what I have seen on old photos as what came from the factory. They put the spring hook itself through the steering arm at the front. The back had a wire loop (I bent these to match an original) and used sash chain links. The most important part is to make sure you mouse the springs because they can (and have) come loose and safety each connection. All you have to do is see ONE LANDING with a spring off to check that tail wheel on EVERY preflight!
Hank

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

Might help to actually attach the picture!
Hank

[Marv]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

Hank you canno't hook a compression spring up that way. Look at one the ends of both pieces are bent. That is why i did not use mine on the Taylorcraft. marv

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

I understand. The main reason I showed it was so you could see how the factory did it and that they used Sash Chain and a loop of wire at the back end. I have seen a lot of chrome key rings on springs but I really don't trust a Chrome key ring designed to take a few grams of load in a critical load path (especially a Chrome plated ring). I haven't seen one break, but then if it broke, it would be gone! My plane had what looked like original loops and when I opened the gap up to take them off, one broke in two. They were steel wire bent into an oval loop. I substituted SS wire in the next size up using the old ones as a pattern (SS is actually weaker than what looked like the music wire that broke) and I safety wired the loop for easy inspection (SS wire is also not as stiff as music wire and the loop could open up without safety wire).
I like the compression springs, especially for the case where the spring itself fails. At least you don't get an immediate ground loop, but they are not original and I would want my A&P/IA to sign off on the substitution (not that I think that would be a problem, even HE thinks I can be a bit anal about following the rules).
Hank

[NY86]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

Compression springs are fine until the coils bottom out. Then, the next weakest link bends...

[Robert Lees]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

I managed to get my compression springs to fit just fine by hooking one end directly to the tailwheel.

[TimHicks]

Re: What am I doing wrong?

OK, you've got to tell me how you did that. I cannot imagine the order of assembly.
First of all, I cannot imagine getting the curvy link through the tailwheel yoke hole. But even after you do that, it seems it would be impossible to assemble the spring.