I have the older style Tail wheel spring/unit on my RV4 (Nut at the bottom) and want to upgrade to a better design. I see Screaming Eagle and JD Air have units that will do the job. Has anyone got any advice on what to go for/stay clear from etc? Can I get hold of complete units in the UK?
Cheers
Paul
Vans RV4 Tail Wheel assy
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Vans RV4 Tail Wheel assy
Paul Lewis 31688
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Alan George
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:22 pm
- Location: Bristol
Re: Vans RV4 Tail Wheel assy
Nut at the bottom, I have not seen that, how does it work?
Our RV-4 has the standard Vans fully castoring tailwheel. It works OK but does wear, for instance the locking pin and the bolts that mount the assembly to the spring/rod. In fact we are on our second unit in something like 900 hours. So we do spend some time on maintenance, cleaning and lubricating at each 50 hour check. We do fly to grass airfields so the tailwheel is often dragged through the mud.
So in my opinion this unit is OK but not amazing.
Hope this helps, Alan.
Our RV-4 has the standard Vans fully castoring tailwheel. It works OK but does wear, for instance the locking pin and the bolts that mount the assembly to the spring/rod. In fact we are on our second unit in something like 900 hours. So we do spend some time on maintenance, cleaning and lubricating at each 50 hour check. We do fly to grass airfields so the tailwheel is often dragged through the mud.
So in my opinion this unit is OK but not amazing.
Hope this helps, Alan.
031468
Re: Vans RV4 Tail Wheel assy
Alan,
I think my tailwheel assy is an early one. Im sure I read somewhere that it was fitted to the RV-3 series.
I have attached a link so you can see the set up. The image isn't actually mine but its exactly the same.
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/s ... hp?t=59060
Over the years, the spring has slightly bent leaving the vertical swivel angled forward thus causing a reduced ground clearance at the locknut.
Hope the link works!
Paul
I think my tailwheel assy is an early one. Im sure I read somewhere that it was fitted to the RV-3 series.
I have attached a link so you can see the set up. The image isn't actually mine but its exactly the same.
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/s ... hp?t=59060
Over the years, the spring has slightly bent leaving the vertical swivel angled forward thus causing a reduced ground clearance at the locknut.
Hope the link works!
Paul
Paul Lewis 31688
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Alan George
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2008 8:22 pm
- Location: Bristol
Re: Vans RV4 Tail Wheel assy
Paul,
Here is our tailwheel just before a 50 hour check and looking sorry for itself.
It needs drying off, the old grease cleaned out and then re-greasing the bushing and locking pin. Also put a grease gun on the bearings in the tailwheel and looks like the paint needs redoing too. The two bolts that hold the unit to the spring are hidden behind the steering arm, sorry.
Alan.
Here is our tailwheel just before a 50 hour check and looking sorry for itself.
It needs drying off, the old grease cleaned out and then re-greasing the bushing and locking pin. Also put a grease gun on the bearings in the tailwheel and looks like the paint needs redoing too. The two bolts that hold the unit to the spring are hidden behind the steering arm, sorry.
Alan.
031468
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Nigel Hitchman
- Posts: 357
- Joined: Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:10 pm
- Location: Hinton in the hedges
Re: Vans RV4 Tail Wheel assy
Alan's RV4 tailwheel looks the same as my RV6 tailwheel. I think this may still be the standard unit on the RV7, but not sure. An Alternative that some people have used is the Bell tailwheel. Gloster Air Parts sell these in the UK. see page 64 of the latest mag for their contact details on their advert. I have heard of several people happy with this unit and one person who wasn't, I cant remember why.
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