Welcome! Becoming a registered user of ShortWingPipers.Org is free and easy! Click the "Register" link found in the upper right hand corner of this screen. It's easy and you can then join the fun posting and learning about Short Wing Pipers!

Page 10 of 25 FirstFirst ... 8910111220 ... LastLast
Results 91 to 100 of 241

Thread: Tailwheel Shimmy and Spring Arch

  1. #91

    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    The Woodlands, Texas
    Posts
    180
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Recommended Tailwheel Spring for PA-22/20

    image.jpg

    I dont know why that picture came out sideways? But anyways here is my new tailspring from Airframes Alaska. I flew down to Clayton's place yesterday, and he very kindly helped me put it on. We even removed the wheel itself and took it apart, cleaned and regreased it. I learned a lot. Thanks again Clayton, and also to all of the advice on this thread.

    i can say that with the new spring taxiing is dramatically improved. I have to learn how to taxi with responsive steering! I found myself over steering because I had to lead turns so much with my old spring to get any response, now I barely have to lead my turns! I only had time to do one landing but it did not shimmy, and it felt really solid. So far I am really liking my new spring. Thanks again to everyone!

  2. #92
    Clayton Harper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Seabrook, TX
    Posts
    1,346
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Recommended Tailwheel Spring for PA-22/20

    "I flew down to Clayton's place yesterday, and he very kindly helped me put it on. We even removed the wheel itself and took it apart, cleaned and regreased it. I learned a lot." The credit goes to Steve P.. He show me a couple of weeks ago and I showed Patrick. Isn't that wonderful how that works.

  3. #93
    Jim Hann's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Ballwin (St. Louis), Missouri
    Posts
    1,609
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Recommended Tailwheel Spring for PA-22/20

    I taxied my Pacer today. I already like the tailwheel better! Positive control and breaks out very nicely. Besides the re-arching of the leaves I removed two of the five compression springs as is allowed, it works the way I thought it should work. It was a real bugger to break out previously.I don't notice a difference in the view out the front but I haven't looked at anything besides a hangar door out the windscreen for two years!

    The jury is still out on the pawl, I have the short one as originally equipped. If I find myself in spots where the earlier breakout would be beneficial I'll consider swapping it out.

    Jim
    1957 PA-22/20 "Super Pacer" based 1H0
    Lifetime EAA member
    Vintage Aircraft Association member
    Lifetime EAA Chapter 32 member


  4. #94
    Administrator Steve Pierce's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Graham, Texas, United States
    Posts
    15,454
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default Re: Recommended Tailwheel Spring for PA-22/20

    I think the short pawl will be more benificial in a Short Wing unless you are taxiing around multiple hazards on the landing area.

  5. #95

    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    The Woodlands, Texas
    Posts
    180
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: Recommended Tailwheel Spring for PA-22/20

    Mine is taxiing great with the short pawl. It seems really snappy compared to how it was before. I can't imagine how snappy it would feel with the long pawl!

  6. #96
    richas's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    362
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default The Shimmy Shake

    I have had a tailwheel shimmy that is just getting worse. I have read Steve's thoughts on spring arch and castor angle (Thank you Steve) and wonder if it is time for me to re-arch my springs. I can also feel play somewhere in the tail wheel assembly if I give it a good shake (Scott 3200), so I will go through the tailwheel as well.

    Can anyone tell from this picture if the castor angle is incorrect?

    Thanks

    Rich
    Attached Images Attached Images

  7. #97

    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    460
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: The Shimmy Shake

    http://www.shortwingpipers.org/forum...g-for-PA-22-20

    Youre already shimmed a lot, look at the angle from the main tailwheel bolt to the aft mount, makes me wonder how much sheer the main bolt will take before it cuts in half? The spring should be almost flush with no down angle at the main bolt. I think you should invest 200 bucks in the spring linked below.

    http://www.airframesalaska.com/ABI-P...abi-pa18-1.htm
    Last edited by Semper Fi; 06-22-2015 at 09:53 AM.

  8. #98
    pa20's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Wellington, NV (NV33)
    Posts
    1,341
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: The Shimmy Shake

    Rich,
    Plus one for what Semper Fi stated. Either re-arch or get a new spring to get the angles correct without all the shims
    When you order parts, make sure you replace the mounting bolts, too. BTW...It looks like the mounting bolts for the spring and tailwheel are too short, as there appears to be no threads protruding from the nuts. It is a perfect time to replace all of those bits, and it is is cheap money for such an important system. Also, if your rudder arms are not already severely worn, you should also install the eye bolts to keep the springs from doing additional damage to the cast aluminum.
    Some you have researched all the data on this site, you should have a pretty good idea of what to look for. Additionally, you are correct to be disassembling the tailwheel for a close inspection. Don't forget to also inspect the dust seals, as they keep the dirt out and the grease in.
    Last edited by pa20; 06-22-2015 at 10:17 AM. Reason: Took a second look at the photo!
    Mark Ohlau
    PA-20 N7744K 2023 Donation Paid

  9. #99

    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    460
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: The Shimmy Shake

    Once you fix your picture, the caster angle doesn't look too negative, but if you are getting a shimmy than I would order the new spring.. less than $195. for the new spring from http://www.airframesalaska.com/

    The pictures I linked to below arn't all SWP but if you notice the angle that the spring is mounted to the plane looks much nicer to me, I started shimming my tailwheel at the aft mount like yours is to raise the caster angle so it was postive and did not like how the front main bolt was not lined up with the hole in the tailwheel with the shims in... it was scraping the bolt.. cutting into it.
    These are images I found on google, I like that the tailwheel is mounting almost flush with the plane, no angle and no cutting into the bolt that holds the tailwheel on
    http://www.shortwingpipers.org/forum...6&d=1432217729

    http://www.shortwingpipers.org/forum...ine=1419271766

    http://starduster.aircraftspruce.com...01203small.jpg
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by Semper Fi; 06-22-2015 at 10:36 AM.

  10. #100
    pa20's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Wellington, NV (NV33)
    Posts
    1,341
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Re: The Shimmy Shake

    Quote Originally Posted by Semper Fi View Post
    Once you fix your picture, the caster angle doesn't look too negative, but if you are getting a shimmy than I would order the new spring.. less than $195. for the new spring from http://www.airframesalaska.com/
    In this case, I think that there is more to the story than one can glean from a single photo. I noted that spring for the PA-18 is only a 3-leaf spring. Is it an 1.5" spring? He currently has a 4-leaf spring, but if it is the 1.25" spring that could be the reason it is losing the arch.
    Mark Ohlau
    PA-20 N7744K 2023 Donation Paid

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •