Tail Spring Bolts

[Chogf22]

Changing my tail spring today, was thinking that replacing the four bolts would be a good idea too.

Anyone know the exact sizes off the top of their head?


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[Chogf22]

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[Steve Pierce]

You have an Alaskan Bushwheel tailspring. I use an AN 6-25A bolt with a grade 8 washer on the spring side and an AN363-624 nut to hold the spring to the fuselage. AN4-16A bolts, AN960-416 washer and AN363-428 nuts for the tailspring plate. AN7-21A bolt, AN960-716 and a grade 8 washer and an AN363-724 nut for tailwheel head to tail spring.

[G44]

Yes, change them! I had my bolt that holds the head onto the spring fail while slow taxi. Low time and no rough use.

Kurt

[Chogf22]

Thank you fellas!!!


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[sjohnson]

You have an Alaskan Bushwheel tailspring. I use an AN 6-25A bolt with a grade 8 washer on the spring side and an AN363-624 nut to hold the spring to the fuselage. AN4-16A bolts, AN960-416 washer and AN363-428 nuts for the tailspring plate. AN7-21A bolt, AN960-716 and a grade 8 washer and an AN363-724 nut for tailwheel head to tail spring.

Steve,
Where do you source the grade 8 washers? I want to make sure they're really grade 8 and not some knockoff. The ones at McMaster seem larger than AN960 equivalent.

[JP]

Good idea to change on occasion. Tom Ford has a great story about a bolt that broke and John Meade has a follow on story about a gang of pirates who stole a tailwheel.

[Steve Pierce]

Steve,
Where do you source the grade 8 washers? I want to make sure they're really grade 8 and not some knockoff. The ones at McMaster seem larger than AN960 equivalent.

They do have a larger OD than an AN washer. I usually get them at McMaster Carr but have also picked them up at Tractor Supply in a pinch. Best thing I did was convert to a two bolt tail wheel head and spring. No more loose tailwheel to spring.

[txpacer]

I like drilled bolts and castle nuts for the big bolts. Lock nuts tend to loosen up after a while.

[Steve Pierce]

I like drilled bolts and castle nuts for the big bolts. Lock nuts tend to loosen up after a while.

I have wondered if they loosened or stretched. I started using the AN363 steel look nuts because I thought they were loosening buti don't think they were, I think the bolts were stretching.

[mam90]

I like drilled bolts and castle nuts for the big bolts. Lock nuts tend to loosen up after a while.

Yep, had a fiber lock on my wheel to spring bolt 2 summers ago. Had to re-tighten several times on the way to AK. Went into Stoddards and in one of the aisles there was a bin labeled “Cub tailwheel to spring hardware”. Bolt, washer, castle nut and cotter pin in a ziplock bag. Forgot how nice it was to have that kind of parts house just down the street..

[hotrod180]

Bolting through the double leaf springs has never made sense to me.
Spacer/bushing or not, seems like you couldn't tighten up the bolt properly
without binding the springs and/or putting some shear forces on the bolt.

[sjohnson]

You have an Alaskan Bushwheel tailspring. I use an AN 6-25A bolt with a grade 8 washer on the spring side and an AN363-624 nut to hold the spring to the fuselage. AN4-16A bolts, AN960-416 washer and AN363-428 nuts for the tailspring plate. AN7-21A bolt, AN960-716 and a grade 8 washer and an AN363-724 nut for tailwheel head to tail spring.

Steve, do you put a washer in the fuselage, under the nut?

[Steve Pierce]

I do, I like the Grade 8 especially of there is no bushing welded in the fuselage fitting yet.