Wing Attach Bolt Torqe and Scott Tailwheel Torque

[CBogle]

My 48 Cessna is undergoing its annual inspection and I have two questions. Does anyone know the correct torque for the two 1/2 inch wing attach bolts. My mechanic, after consulting various tables, etc. concluded that the proper torque was 440 (inch pounds?) but he didn't seem too sure. I'd like to be 100% sure on this.

Also, I have a Scott 3200 tail wheel and upon re-installing the tire, the mechanic was not sure how much to tighten the nut on the axle. Right now, there seems to be about 1/8 inch or slightly more that the wheel can move back and forth along the axle before contacting the yoke on either side.

Thanks,

Curt

[Jeff Palmer]

Cbogle,
I replaced the two, on each side, ½” strut bolts on mine. I had to ream the left lower hole out because it was egg shaped. So I used an oversize bolt in that one. I believe I torqued them to 440 in. lb. But I remember that I called Cessna and they told me exactly how to do the repair and what to torque them too. That was back in 1994. As for your tail wheel, there are Timken tapered bearings in mine. I tightened the bolt just enough to put a light preload on the bearings, then locked it in place with a cotter pin. There is no side movement at all. There are spacers between the fork and the bearing inner race on each side. There is a grease seal that rides on these spacers on each side also. Perhaps your spacers are missing. Check the exploded view in the Aircraft Spruce catalog.

[blueldr]

Curt

If the guy working on the tail wheel of your airplane is unsure about adjusting the axle nut tension, you are being too generous with the word "mechanic".

[GAHorn]

Curt, the wheel should not be able to contact the yoke at all. You should inspect your installation and compare it to the IPC and Scott dwgs to determine that your installation is correct and not missing some parts.
There should be a slight pre-load on the bearings so that no noticeable sideways movement is present.

[CBogle]

Guys:

I know that I have (had) all of the parts as this tail wheel has worked flawlessly for 3 years. Something to me just didn't look right when I looked at the wheel after he put it back on today (I didn't pay attention when he took it off as I didn't think he could mess this up.)

Could it be that he has the circular plates (you'll have to excuse my ignorance as to what they are called) that hold the berrings is inserted reversed? They are completely flat on the outside now and I think I recall that they are supposed to have a nipple that sticks out from each side of the wheel on the axle and that nipple is what the yoke compresses up against to keep the berrings pushed in.

Anyone have an opinion here?

Curt

[johneeb]

Curt,
If you buy a copy of the Cessna 170 parts catalog you will be able to answer questions like the one about your tailwheel. Having the parts catalog helps me understand and be more confident of my airplane.

Below is a copy of the parts catalog page pertaining to the Scott Tailwheel.
Johneb

[CBogle]

Thanks to all of you for responding...it was very, very helpful. I went back this morning and went on a thorough search of the shop and sure enough, the parts shown as part # 37 were sitting on the work bench even though the mechanic "swore" he had re-assembled the wheel with all of the parts! Aaaarrrrgggg!

Thanks again.

Regards,

Curt

[blueldr]

Curt,
You simply must stop referring to that guy as a "mechanic".
It tends to tarnish the reputation of the genuine article.

[CBogle]

BL:

You are absolutely correct. All real "mechanics" out there, please accept my apologies!

Curt

[Jr.CubBuilder]

Holy sh** Batman if he can't get your tailwheel back together right don't let him touch anything else!

Seriously, I'm not an A&P mechanic but I'm mechanicaly inclined enough that when my plane went through it's last annual I did the refurbish of my tailwheel. It's not that complicated! It's fine to put it back together, look at it and think "hmmm this doesn't look right, lets revaluate this" and then get it right. However, if it was REINSTALLED on the plane in that condition (without the preload spacers, part #37) I myself would be unable to trust anything that person did to my plane, and I definately would not EVER let him so much as touch my plane again. I wouldn't be angry about it, there wouldn't be any hard feelings, it would just be cut & dried, he wouldn't ever touch my plane again. It's you and potentially your passengers lives that will be riding on his quality control (or lack of) when the wheels leave the ground.

[BradW]

Come on guys.... I'm not trying to defend incomptence or lack of attention to detail, but even "real" mechanics make mistakes.

Maybe this guy has been working on Curt's plane for years without mistake. Now he makes one and he's automatically not a real mechanic?

Now if he's shown a track record, or if he uses a pair of channel locks or crescent wrench for everything, that would be a different story.....

Have a happy Wednesday!