I'd like to hear any experience with this product
thanks
T3 tailwheel
Moderators: GAHorn, Karl Towle, Bruce Fenstermacher
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GAHorn
- Posts: 21421
- Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm
Re: T3 tailwheel
There’s been a few threads about it:
viewtopic.php?p=154072&hilit=t3+t+3+tailwheel#p154072
viewtopic.php?t=17035&hilit=t3+t+3+tailwheel
viewtopic.php?p=154072&hilit=t3+t+3+tailwheel#p154072
viewtopic.php?t=17035&hilit=t3+t+3+tailwheel
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
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G-MDAY
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2024 5:25 pm
Re: T3 tailwheel
To be honest ….. I’m not to sure the poster is looking at historic usage ie comments long dead …. Perhaps he’s looking for an updated opinion …. And why not? This immediate pointing to threads from the past is perhaps killing debate ….. ?
Ok to answer the posters question …. I’ve been using the T3 since about February 25 it’s the STC version …. It’s a fantastic addition to the aircraft and takes away a considerable amount of noise ie runway noise bumps etc etc I think it reduces stress on the tail section of the aircraft …. It’s pretty simple to install and requires only minimal maintenance I’ve put a little light oil or the joints to stop some squeaks. Although the 0300 does a pretty good job of that in flight ….
Ok to answer the posters question …. I’ve been using the T3 since about February 25 it’s the STC version …. It’s a fantastic addition to the aircraft and takes away a considerable amount of noise ie runway noise bumps etc etc I think it reduces stress on the tail section of the aircraft …. It’s pretty simple to install and requires only minimal maintenance I’ve put a little light oil or the joints to stop some squeaks. Although the 0300 does a pretty good job of that in flight ….
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GAHorn
- Posts: 21421
- Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm
Re: T3 tailwheel
The reason I posted those links …FIVE days after the original poster asked for comments….was Because there Was No “Immediate” volunteerism to engage in the conversation. I didn’t want bubba144 to feel ignored…yet I have no experience with the T3 …so had nothing to offer other than referrals to those participants who do.
Additionally, many participants do not know how to “search” for specific discussion topics…. so I offered easy “links” to those discussions.
If it is important in your opinion to have “debate”….then why did You take so long to respond…?
In any event, apparently the subject is not of that much import to him…. as he’s not been back on the forums to check …. since he posted that inquiry over two weeks ago.
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons.
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Fly-170B-AK
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2025 11:03 pm
Re: T3 tailwheel
I recently installed the T3 on my 170B. Haven’t had the opportunity yet to experience its handling off airport. But I mainly got it to hopefully avoid yet another broken tail spring. One I overloaded in compression on landing - my bad. But another failed on a smooth landing on a smooth gravel strip for no obvious reason. And then another while tied-down from a one-night heavy snowfall (at least one other 170 on our field experienced the same that night). These were the Univair tail springs, though I know of nothing wrong with those.
But I’m mainly posting for a heads-up about the Installation Instructions for the STC’d T3 for the 170. I got mine from Alaska Gear Company (the only source I believe) and informed them about this. They are working on this but the problem persists as of today.
On their website there are two ways to download the Installation Instructions. One link is on the page where you purchase the T3. THESE INSTRUCTIONS DATED JUNE 19, 2018 HAVE BEEN SUPER-CEEDED.
The revised current instructions, REV A: October 31, 2023 are found on their Aviation Documents Directory page.
The critical change for REV A is the addition of a paragraph (with photo) noting that the T3 was specifically designed to circumvent a common problem of cracks in the aft section of the Cessna tail spring bracket (see attached screenshot from the Instructions):
REV A
October 31, 2023
The OEM tailwheel bracket commonly has a crack in the radius on each side of the
bracket (shown below) when used under severe conditions. The T3 suspension system
was specifically designed to bypass this area and reacts all tailwheel loads into the
heavier tail wheel support structure ahead of the area where cracking occurs. Thus, the
T3 suspension system eliminates the need for repetitive inspections of this area. The only
action necessary if cracks are found in the area shown during this installation will be to
clean and corrosion protect the area. This area will be unloaded and further crack growth
will not occur so only environmental protection of the part is required.
In emails with me, Dan Dufault of T3 confirmed this design benefit. Saved me from replacing our cracked tail spring bracket, a potentially expensive repair.
But I’m mainly posting for a heads-up about the Installation Instructions for the STC’d T3 for the 170. I got mine from Alaska Gear Company (the only source I believe) and informed them about this. They are working on this but the problem persists as of today.
On their website there are two ways to download the Installation Instructions. One link is on the page where you purchase the T3. THESE INSTRUCTIONS DATED JUNE 19, 2018 HAVE BEEN SUPER-CEEDED.
The revised current instructions, REV A: October 31, 2023 are found on their Aviation Documents Directory page.
The critical change for REV A is the addition of a paragraph (with photo) noting that the T3 was specifically designed to circumvent a common problem of cracks in the aft section of the Cessna tail spring bracket (see attached screenshot from the Instructions):
REV A
October 31, 2023
The OEM tailwheel bracket commonly has a crack in the radius on each side of the
bracket (shown below) when used under severe conditions. The T3 suspension system
was specifically designed to bypass this area and reacts all tailwheel loads into the
heavier tail wheel support structure ahead of the area where cracking occurs. Thus, the
T3 suspension system eliminates the need for repetitive inspections of this area. The only
action necessary if cracks are found in the area shown during this installation will be to
clean and corrosion protect the area. This area will be unloaded and further crack growth
will not occur so only environmental protection of the part is required.
In emails with me, Dan Dufault of T3 confirmed this design benefit. Saved me from replacing our cracked tail spring bracket, a potentially expensive repair.
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