Tailwheel update and hardware question.

[pgerhardt]

After over 220 hours on my Waiex S/N148YX built by Scott Uding, I have had a couple of minor tailwheel issues.

1st the Titanium Rod bent to the point that the tailwheel main bolt was hitting the ground. I bent the rod with a conduit bender by putting a small wire spool under the back of the plane and used my whole body weight to bend the rod back into shap. This works 'OK' but it did loosen the rod in the holder a bit. Would have been better to remove but that did not seem easy. Three years later and still ok as far as the rod.

On condition inspection The same year noticed the steering rod attachment to the tailwheel assembly was pretty loose. Installed a plastic bushing. This year it was loose again and thought the bushing had worn out but the bolt itself had worn and the castle nut was no longer being held by the threads. The cotter pin fell apart while taking it apart too.

Oh it does have the Kip tailwheel which is holding up well too.

The steering rod attachment bolt needs to be ordered can anybody tell me the size I forgot to bring it home with me. It looks like about a 3/16" Shoulder Bolt with a sloted end, maybe an inch or 1 1/4" long with a cotter pin hole and a castle nut. The threads are worn to the point where the nut would not tighten correctly and that is why it was loose this time.

Must have 3-4 hundred landings on it by now.

Put the Hyd brake kit on two years ago now too and no problems...so much better and safer.

Have the bing carb jetted down to 235 and works fine but a bit too lean for winter starting. Sometimes needs a shot of either. Should change it to 240 for the winter I think really but have not bothered.

Anybody know the fastner size for the steering rod to tailwheel ?

Thanks...

[N111YX]

Glad to hear the tailwheel bracket is holding up!

It may be a good time to look into a rod-end conversion for the tailwheel drive. I have 950 landings on mine and it's been maintenance-free with the exception of some spay lube every now and then. You can find more info on this site.

The bolt that you need is a AN23-10 clevis bolt for the rear bracket and a -11 on the front drive plate.

Regards,

[pgerhardt]

Thanks Kip!

[pgerhardt]

Kip where can I get the rod end conversion?

[N111YX]

You basically construct one from some steel tubing and rod ends.

Check out this thread...

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=757

[Bryan Cotton]

I got mine from Peter:
http://www.ansoneng.com/sample-page/products-summary/
Scroll down to tailwheels and accessories. Not expensive to ship from Australia either.